The Harbeth User Group

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Simplicity, Objectivity, Fidelity….

Harbeth loudspeakers have their origins in a simpler time when technical objectivity rather than personal opinion was the route to higher fidelity. Here we embody that ethos by applying citizen science* to probe practical, universal and cost-effective ways to achieve natural sound reproduction at home. In matters Harbeth, this forum is the wellhead: as close as you can get to our brand, products, values and people, and we thrive on harmony, good manners, mutual respect and mature discussion.

Creating great music at home with your Harbeths is remarkably simple: drive them from hi-fi electronics designed in the last fifty years or so. That’s it! This Forum does't offer a ranking on audio amplifiers, cables, power supplies, sources, connectors etc. as we do not make these products, so just use whatever system components you have available. Then sit back and let great music bring you pleasure and escape.

Consider this when selecting audio equipment. Audiologists, acousticians, sound engineers, film producers, musicians, actors, composers, orators, whispering lovers, the military, and wailing infants invoke quantifiable differences in loudness to steer human auditory experience. Replay loudness is rarely managed during audio equipment comparison, but as louder sounds trigger more auditory neurones, that louder, more dramatic listening experience is easily misinterpreted as greater fidelity, when it is simply louder.

Tolerance for other’s opinions - even when objectively unfounded - and respect for a century of audio science is the backbone of HUG. Contributions deemed combative or disruptive will not appear. The Moderator's decision is always final.

The Harbeth User Group is owned and run by Harbeth Audio Ltd., a commercial enterprise and is moderated accordingly. We deliberately downplay the marketing of our products - they speak for themselves. You’ll appreciate what that means during a dealer visit. Here we are not fascinated by audio paraphernalia; we love music. With that all said, welcome and enjoy.

* Example of citizen science in action here.

Revised July 2025

Archived threads….

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  1. Amplifiers
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Acolyte
Distance

Start here. HUG is unique!

HUG is a different sort of audio forum. We positively discourage subjective posts discussing audio amplifiers. Objective, technical analysis is what we exist to discuss and learn from.
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21
Messages
200
Sub-forums:
  1. Our philosophy
  2. A typical day at Harbeth - the design lab
    1. Harbeth's TechTalk
  3. What do we mean by 'Citizen Science' on HUG?
  4. Calls to Harbeth's Customer Service
  5. Massages from Management!
  6. HUG rules, etiquette and moderation
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21
Messages
200
J
Measurements vs. Ears: My Room Setup Journey

"Thanks HUG - I'm focusing on the music again!"

Has HUG positively impacted on your musical enjoyment? Tell us!
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62
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1.2K
Sub-forums:
  1. Tinnitus, music listening and loudspeaker design
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62
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J
P3ESR first listen

The Harbeth brand timeline

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410
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4.6K
Sub-forums:
  1. Serial numbers and history
  2. Sales, commercial and production
    1. Harbeth UK sales - a new chapter in our history
  3. User feedback, likes, praise, comments
  4. Reviews, media coverage, exhibitions
    1. Social media: strengths, weaknesses and dangers
  5. Harbeth Newsletter (historcal)
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410
Messages
4.6K
R
Harbeth LS3/5a – Experiences and Comparisons

Auditioning, buying and using Harbeths

Upgrading to Harbeth? Start here. You won't need to upgrade your entire system to get great music at home
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114
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2.2K
Sub-forums:
  1. How should I audition Harbeth speakers?
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114
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2.2K
J
Effect of wrap on sound

The Harbeth model line-up

Harbeth speakers will work with practically all hifi amps. This thread is for discussion of loudspeakers not electronics.
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1.3K
Messages
23.1K
Sub-forums:
  1. Digital Harbeths!
  2. Harbeth XD2 family
    1. Monitor 40.5 XD2
  3. Harbeth P3ESR
  4. Harbeth Compact 7ES3
  5. Harbeth Monitor 30.1 / 30.2
  6. Harbeth Super HL5plus family
  7. Harbeth Monitor 40.1 / 40.2
  8. Harbeth Monitor 40.3
  9. Harbeth Monitor 20/ 20.1
  10. Which Harbeth is right for you?
    1. ... in a small room
      1. ... in a large room
    2. ... in an acoustically undamped (reverberant) room
    3. ... if I have hearing difficulties
    4. ... if I can only play very quietely
  11. Veneers & looking after your Harbeths
  12. Previous Harbeth models
    1. After care
  13. HHB Circle series & Xpression! DPM1
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1.3K
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23.1K
R
Need advice - moving from my AE520 to SHL5+ XD

"Which amplifier?" - definitive A, X and Z lists

Practically any amplifier made in the last 40 years will drive Harbeths. Add your amplifier to the A list.
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8
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846
Sub-forums:
  1. Understanding amplifier measurements - your guide
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8
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846
BenHugh
The 'X' (eXcellent) list of exemplary lab-standard audio amplifiers

The objective side of audio - facts

Please respect the statement at the top of the HUG home page when posting.
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543
Messages
12.1K
Sub-forums:
  1. Uses and abuses of technical information
  2. Is enhanced fidelity an additive process?
  3. Analogue sound really is technically different!
  4. Streaming audio services - real quality?
  5. Maintaining traceable technical standards
  6. At the front end - studio equipment for recording
  7. Room damping using materials
  8. How humans hear
  9. D.S.P. room correction
  10. Amp. engineering: matching, clipping, features...
  11. Speaker design
  12. How to properly compare audio equipment
    1. Decide by listening or by measurement?
    2. Evaluating sound & critical listening
      1. Building an inexpensive audio A-B comparator
    3. The human ear/brain & psychoacoustics
    4. Frequency response curves - modern trends?
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543
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12.1K
Luthier
A bit of a wake-up call?

The emotional, subjective side of audio - feelings

Before posting please consider if this forum is the best place for your contribution. Contributions must not be taken in any way as being endorsed by Harbeth. Contributions will be probed by others and are subject to strict Moderation. A better place for wholly subjective comments is https://tinyurl.com/harbethchat (Not operated by Harbeth UK).
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645
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Sub-forums:
  1. Random jottings about audio
  2. Sources, stands, cables etc.
  3. Better health, better hearing
  4. The listening environment
  5. Music, recordings and broadcast sound
    1. Radio drama - who needs pictures?
    2. Musical instruments and their sounds
  6. My audio journey to perfection
  7. A visit to the audio dealer
  8. Electronics, sources, stands, cables, accessories
    1. Electronics - just how cheap can you go?
    2. Amplifier anecdotes - an archive of opinions
      1. Passive attenuators and passive 'preamps'
    3. CD players and digital source discussion
    4. Stands and mounting discussion
    5. Analogue sources (incl. vinyl) discussion
    6. Cables, connections, biwire links discussion
    7. Subwoofers
    8. USB/Cat5/Bluetooth network music boxes
    9. Harbeth's Approved Accessories
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645
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16.2K
M
What are you listening to?

Designer's Blog

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14
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193
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Vocal quality - how smooth or processed is it?

Life, business, culture, ethics

With a focus on the UK
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193
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5.1K
Sub-forums:
  1. The universe within - our human bodies
  2. Science in society
  3. Today's UK
    1. Surviving Covid-19
    2. Blogs
    3. Harbeth in society
  4. Great human achievements
    1. The funny side ....
  5. Marketing to the audiophile
    1. Audiophile myths & consequences
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193
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HARMAN International completes acquisition of Sound United

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