Rockmeister
pfm Member
Really interesting reading.
Yes just came from the Falcon Gold Badge LS3/5A. Lovely speakers, I enjoyed them very much. The new room can take something a little bigger hence the new search. Very familiar with various Harbeths - and found the SHL5 plus and XD to be really good, more air and scale than other Harbeths IME. M30.2 XD also very good. A little softer but very open compared to previous models. I’d love to try the C7XD - perhaps could be my perfect speaker (SHL5 look a little dominating in the new space) but was thinking the Legacy Cheviot, whilst larger in some dimensions) they sit lower and might fit my room nicely. I just fear they’ll lose the open, natural sound. I know I need to try some but it’s a lot of faffing for a home loan, especially for such big boxes, and then there’s the challenge of trying the right Tannoy when I’m totally new to that world. Saying that, I’m very intrigued by the Tannoy design ethos and would love to try them.
The Harb 7's were the first of the mid sized Harbeths to be given a more modern, faster, slightly less warm sound. At the time I auditioned them, I preferred the fuller sound of the HL5's. The later changes to the 5 range removed the differences considerably and the Anniversary I owned for a year or three was nearly perfect in many ways, but I was always conscious of that metal dome tweeter. Anyway.
The size of the 7 cabinets really can be a sweet spot I think. Big cabinets of course, with big drivers do a job nothing else can do low down. There is no substitute IMO for moving a lot of air. But for a compromise, with 'enough' bass if it's properly implemented, perfect mids, and a sweet open top, that size range ought to be bang on in a domestic situation. Something between 40 and 60 litres. I'd prefer the larger end and might add another 10 litres and add a seperate 8 or 10" Bass driver, then a dedicate mid and soft dome tweeter. How hard can it be?
How about saving yourself several thousand quid and trying some of the newer offerings doing just that?
https://www.wharfedale.co.uk/linton-heritage/