Harbeth 40.2 Anniversary

[GreginNH1]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

Which Tellurium Q did you try?

I really like the Black range. Silver was pricier but the Black really worked - especially with solid state gear

Black Diamond. It has been one of my preferred cables for many years. Quite by chance, I tried the Accusound and it worked better with my gear.

[Robc33]

I had the pleasure of spending some time listening to Greg's most recent configuration of audio equipment earlier this week. I will start by saying, that I did not expect what I heard from these speakers. The gentleman who Greg bought them from, had told me quite a while back that he didn't think I would like them. If I just listened to them very briefly, and in a room with equipment, that was not as dialed in as Greg's set up, he may have been correct.
My initial impression might have been, ok, maybe a little laid back in presentation for me. As I listened, and my ears adjusted to to the different interpretation of their reproduction of sound, I found myself getting, more, and more pulled into the music. That's the only way I can describe it, I felt them opening a door, and inviting me to hear the story within the music. I was hearing more layers, to music I thought I knew very well. Without shouting it at you, they pick apart individual musicians, and instruments, and place them so clearly within the soundstage, and with a sense of separation that was uncanny.
The integration between drivers was truly amazing. A coherence in sound that just forced a smile to you face. They just sounded "right", they just made music. They made it hard to stop listening. They have haunted me since last Wednesday evening!
They are one of the most "enjoyable" sets of speakers that I have heard. As much as I love my Strads, I will have a pair of these in my living room soon, to demo. I just have to do a comparison.
I'm going to go out on a hazardous limb here, and say that I would not be surprised if these take Greg off the audio gear 'merry go round" for quite some time to come. We can only hope!
Thank you again Greg for your hospitality, and I'm very excited for you!

[GreginNH1]

Rob - thanks for the kind words. It is always a pleasure to have you visit!

I am glad that you have been able to affirm what I and many Harbeth owners have experienced.

Here's to hoping your in-home demo provides you with much enjoyment!

[MarSanz]

Very nice, I've had my SHL5s for 8 years now, the 40.2 seems like the perfect upgrade path. Now to find a dealer for an in home demo.

[Haucs]

Hello there
I have harbeth 40.2 and audio research 160. Do you connect the speakers with 4, 8 or 16 ohms?
Regards

[Masterlu]

Haucs... Welcome to AA!

[Nascimento]

Would you like to hear the opinion of someone who plays the Harbeth with Accuphase, would 50watts be enough for a 40.2?

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Nascimento

Would you like to hear the opinion of someone who plays the Harbeth with Accuphase, would 50watts be enough for a 40.2?

I cannot answer really your question but just give hints.
The best amp I had to drive the 40.1 was the Nagra MSA. Only 60W per channel. But the Air Tight ATM1s which is only 35W also gave great results.
On the opposite, the Shindo CCQs gave too much bass. 70W in class A. The Harbeth can reproduce very low frequencies if the amps goes very low with lots of energy. In this case, the CCQs were just allowing the 40.1 to overload the room.
So my final advice would be first to consider the room. Accuphase class A power gives plenty of bass. I have an A65. So of course, a 50W class A Accuphase will be enough to drive the 40.2. I have no doubt about it. The question is just “will your room be able to accept the bass reproduced” ?

[GreginNH1]

Originally Posted by Nascimento

Would you like to hear the opinion of someone who plays the Harbeth with Accuphase, would 50watts be enough for a 40.2?

Unless you are in a very large room or listen to music at ear-bleeding levels, you will be fine. For the short time I had my E-800, it drove my 40.2 speakers with ease.