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Harbeth XD - What's The Difference

I saw a bad build of Radial-driver. There are glue stains on the driver, the edge of the driver basket looks like a bread knife, very uneven.
I have been to many different hi-fi sellers and have seen many different speakers. But I have not seen such shortcomings even in Chinese Bluetooth speakers! I do not want to interfere with their business, but when you buy speakers for 5 thousand euros, you do not expect to meet this.
 
I have been to many different hi-fi sellers and have seen many different speakers. But I have not seen such shortcomings even in Chinese Bluetooth speakers! I do not want to interfere with their business, but when you buy speakers for 5 thousand euros, you do not expect to meet this.

So how did they resolve your issues?
Mac
 
The veneer finish is really good. However, I saw a bad build of Radial-driver. There are glue stains on the driver, the edge of the driver basket looks like a bread knife, very uneven.

From inside cabinet? Hopefully dealer fixed for you.
 
I have been to many different hi-fi sellers and have seen many different speakers. But I have not seen such shortcomings even in Chinese Bluetooth speakers! I do not want to interfere with their business, but when you buy speakers for 5 thousand euros, you do not expect to meet this.
Why do you complain here? Why not get in touch with the dealer?
 
To me it is a bit strange as I have owned 8 Harbeth speakers in the past an haven seen even more at friends and dealers. None of them had such things as Peter Leo describes.

I'm curious to see pictures of the things he told us.
 
It’s a forum, everyone is welcome to talk about their experience. You sound like someone connected with Harbeth ...
Of course, I work for Harbeth LOL. And yes, I have owned 4 pairs and seen many many others and never heard of or seen anything like that. Discussion is always good. However it would be nice to have some kind of evidence of those shortcomings. Also, why not contact the dealer who sold the speakers. Or Harbeth. We cannot help here with possible issues with the finish or anything else.
 
I did have a real problem with the 40.2 that I owned, those of you who may read the Wam pages will be fully aware of the whole story and Harbeth bent over backwards to resolve the matter, but in the end admitted defeat and gave me a brand new set of 40.3XD.
If the guy has brought the issue to Harbeth's attention, I would like to know their response., because I refuse to believe they wouldn't take it seriously.
Mac
 
So how did they resolve your issues?
Harbeth decided to send me a replacement driver. Now I'm waiting for them. The distributor will repair new drivers. It would be a good joke if it weren't true.
Why do you complain here?
I think that it is necessary to speak when it is good and when it is bad. This adds objectivity.
I'm curious to see pictures of the things he told us.
However it would be nice to have some kind of evidence of those shortcomings
build, performance or anything.
Here is a photo of the glue stains on the driver cone and a photo of the uneven edge of the driver basket. I hope this will add weight to my words. My distributor said he didn't see this as a problem. I wrote to Harbeth Support and to Alan Shaw himself on his HUG forum. They all responded that cosmetic defects do not affect the sound. As a favor, I was offered to replace the drivers - that's all. It is noteworthy that the glue has its own mass and the glue stains change the mass of the driver cone. Changing the mass of the driver cone leads to a change in its parameters and, as a consequence, sound. This is physics.
https://ibb.co/pZ6D1PK
https://ibb.co/qDDP9r9
https://ibb.co/wgbhPbf
https://ibb.co/gPYhmBG
https://ibb.co/BwVVKsb
https://ibb.co/NScqww5
 
those of you who may read the Wam pages will be fully aware of the whole story and Harbeth bent over backwards to resolve the matter, but in the end admitted defeat and gave me a brand new set of 40.3XD
I would be very glad if you share with me the link of this story.
 
I’ve had 3 pairs of Harbeths over the years, including the P3ES-2s with me for about 15 years. All have been of impeccable fit and finish.
I have owned 4 pairs and seen many many others and never heard of or seen anything like that
I have owned 8 Harbeth speakers in the past an haven seen even more at friends and dealers
I made links to the photo. You can research them. I can only be responsible for my pair. My new pair of Harbeth disappointed me - this is my experience and my fact.
 
It is noteworthy that the glue has its own mass and the glue stains change the mass of the driver cone. Changing the mass of the driver cone leads to a change in its parameters and, as a consequence, sound. This is physics.

I've spent plenty of time adding mass to speaker cones using glue, then measuring the change in the thiele/small parameters, and from what I can see in your photos, it will make bugger all difference.
 
They all responded that cosmetic defects do not affect the sound. As a favor, I was offered to replace the drivers - that's all. It is noteworthy that the glue has its own mass and the glue stains change the mass of the driver cone. Changing the mass of the driver cone leads to a change in its parameters and, as a consequence, sound. This is physics.
https://ibb.co/pZ6D1PK
https://ibb.co/qDDP9r9
https://ibb.co/wgbhPbf
https://ibb.co/gPYhmBG
https://ibb.co/BwVVKsb
https://ibb.co/NScqww5

Sorry to hear. Are you in the UK? Difficult to judge on the seriousness based on the photos but it does look like an issue. Personally this is unacceptable for a new pair and I suppose a new replacement speaker rather than replacement drivers (which will still need to be fitted onto the speakers) is more appropriate. I wouldn't be comfortable having the drivers fitted outside of the factory by someone else. Even though your dealer may be an expert and have the skills to do the driver swap, it doesn't feel right to have a new speaker go through this.

Of course it's my opinion. Others may feel differently. Your dealer and Harbeth have brushed the issue aside saying it's trivial. I don't know about this. Perhaps others may chime in.

I assume it is easier for owners in the UK to have a new replacement speaker for noticeable serious defects. Owners outside of UK, the dealers need to pay for shipping and the manufacturer may not want to absorb all the costs. All my assumption.
 


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