Harbeth Is Not Suited For Rock Music: Fact Or Fiction?

[LarsT]

I had an audio advisor come to the house yesterday. His first choice of speaker selection would be stand mounted, based on room acoustics. We temporarily set up my 805D3 and they sound fine. It might just be a hang up that I believe floorstanders are better. So GreginNH1 initially suggested Harbeth 40.2 (a larger standmount). However, I have heard from a fair amount of people that Harbeth isn't great with rock music. Is this true or just a stereotype?

[GeAllan70]

Harb's with Rock.... Jimi H., Stones, Zepp, ELO, Beatles Outstanding!!


Metallica....not so much....

[Higgens]

Lars - I used to own a pair of Harbeth SHL5’s. I thought they worked very well with all types of music.

[CGabriel]

Originally Posted by LarsT

I had an audio advisor come to the house yesterday. His first choice of speaker selection would be stand mounted, based on room acoustics. We temporarily set up my 805D3 and they sound fine. It might just be a hang up that I believe floorstanders are better. So GreginNH1 initially suggested Harbeth 40.2 (a larger standmount). However, I have heard from a fair amount of people that Harbeth isn't great with rock music. Is this true or just a stereotype?

You need to find a better expert. The 40.2 is an incredible speaker for the price and is one of the best I have heard for rock music. I would say the determining factor for “rock music” is not the Harbeth but rather the amplifier you pair with it. A whimpy low power amp may work for classical and vocal music but not for power music.

[Weirdcuba]

As in everything in this game, try before you buy if at all possible and let your ears be the judge. I have a friend with the 40.2 and routinely enjoy all different types of music via his system. They have their own sound, but i wouldn’t say it’s one that doesn’t lend itself to rock n roll.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by CGabriel

You need to find a better expert. The 40.2 is an incredible speaker for the price and is one of the best I have heard for rock music. I would say the determining factor for “rock music” is not the Harbeth but rather the amplifier you pair with it. A whimpy low power amp may work for classical and vocal music but not for power music.

Agreed. John Darko would agree as well; he has a review of the 7E3S and he only listens to rock music.

[LarsT]

Originally Posted by CGabriel

You need to find a better expert. The 40.2 is an incredible speaker for the price and is one of the best I have heard for rock music. I would say the determining factor for “rock music” is not the Harbeth but rather the amplifier you pair with it. A whimpy low power amp may work for classical and vocal music but not for power music.

I have actually heard this from quite a few different places. And of course experts tend to steer you in a certain direction. I think it has become a stereotype that has stuck. I am thrilled to hear that it is simply misinformation.

[CGabriel]

Originally Posted by LarsT

I have actually heard this from quite a few different places. And of course experts tend to steer you in a certain direction. I think it has become a stereotype that has stuck. I am thrilled to hear that it is simply misinformation.

Yes, I understand. But all opinions need to be mitigated and balanced by the possible financial interests of the opinion source.

Seriously, I have absolutely NO idea how anyone could come up with such an opinion. Those opinions may be honest opinions but there must have been some other factor at work. There is nothing wrong with the speaker playing any genre of music. And in our opinion, (all the employees here at SR) the Harbeth specifically excels in a full and rich bass response that is paramount to a really good rock & roll speaker. Dynamics are excellent and they can play extremely loudly without strain or distress. Specifically, I would pair them with a good solid-state amplifier 200+ watts/ch.

There are other "common knowledge" non-facts out there about these speakers. One of them is that the cabinet was designed intentionally to resonate. Ridiculous. The cabinet is extremely well damped. So as it is with other audio products that have been around for some time - fake news does exist and once it starts it is difficult to correct it. I would listen to the people that actually have the speaker and have the ability to use them with a variety of associated equipment.

I have NO financial interest or personal relationship with Harbeth. Actually I think the designer's opinion on speaker cables is ludicrous. This is an interesting opinion given the fact that they actually use a very good quality of internal wire. Yes, I have taken the speaker apart and have made some minor improvements so that is not opinion or guess work. Additionally, the quality of the crossover elements are also of very high quality.

I have owned many, many speakers over the years. Very few of them are memorable. The Harbeth 40.2 is a truly impressive speaker.

[LarsT]

Originally Posted by CGabriel

Yes, I understand. But all opinions need to be mitigated and balanced by the possible financial interests of the opinion source.

Seriously, I have absolutely NO idea how anyone could come up with such an opinion. Those opinions may be honest opinions but there must have been some other factor at work. There is nothing wrong with the speaker playing any genre of music. And in our opinion, (all the employees here at SR) the Harbeth specifically excels in a full and rich bass response that is paramount to a really good rock & roll speaker. Dynamics are excellent and they can play extremely loudly without strain or distress. Specifically, I would pair them with a good solid-state amplifier 200+ watts/ch.

There are other "common knowledge" non-facts out there about these speakers. One of them is that the cabinet was designed intentionally to resonate. Ridiculous. The cabinet is extremely well damped. So as it is with other audio products that have been around for some time - fake news does exist and once it starts it is difficult to correct it. I would listen to the people that actually have the speaker and have the ability to use them with a variety of associated equipment.

I have NO financial interest or personal relationship with Harbeth. Actually I think the designer's opinion on speaker cables is ludicrous. This is an interesting opinion given the fact that they actually use a very good quality of internal wire. Yes, I have taken the speaker apart and have made some minor improvements so that is not opinion or guess work. Additionally, the quality of the crossover elements are also of very high quality.

I have owned many, many speakers over the years. Very few of them are memorable. The Harbeth 40.2 is a truly impressive speaker.

Thank you! That is high praise indeed for Harbeth. I am very glad I asked the question. I guess it’s true the dumb question is the one you don’t ask. I had been significantly influenced to the point where I had no desire to even sit for a listening session. My audio knowledge is limited, so receiving unbiased feedback is immensely helpful.

[80B]

Lars,
A lot of wisdom here in a few posts. When I sold stereo gear almost 35 years ago for a brief stint during my college years, these stereotypes were heard quite frequently, usually from the more slick colleagues of mine. Had I listened to them instead of the gear, I would not have bought the Infinity speakers that served so well for 30 years. You're absolutely right about the question you don't ask!