The Harbeth User Group

Simplicity, Objectivity, Fidelity….

Harbeth loudspeakers have their origins in a simpler time when objectivity was the path to greater fidelity. Here we attempt to use citizen science* (an attitude of mind) to explore practical, universal and cost-effective ways to maximise natural sound at home. In matters Harbeth, this forum is the wellhead: as close as you can get to our brand, products, values, people, facilities and ethos, and we thrive on harmony, good manners, mutual respect and mature discussion. We are vigilant to prevent social influencers from misusing this forum.

Making great music with your Harbeths is remarkably simple. Drive them from any hi-fi electronics designed in the last fifty years or so. That’s it. No matching issue; just use whatever you have available. Music should always come first, especially in these challenging times so this Forum does't offer a ranking on audio amplifiers, cables, power supplies, sources, connectors etc. as we do not make these products.

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, this more dramatic subjective experience can be 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 consciously downplay the marketing of our products - they speak for themselves. 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 Feb. 2025

Archived threads….

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1. Amplifiers

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Distance

• Aug 26, 2024
• Acolyte

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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17

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166

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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17

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166

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Christmas 2024….

• Dec 25, 2024
• Ned Mast

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

Has HUG positively impacted on your musical enjoyment? Tell us!

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60

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1. Tinnitus, music listening and loudspeaker design

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Open top stands?

• Jan 23, 2025
• Luc.Benac

The Harbeth brand timeline

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406

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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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406

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Harbeth website refresh & Bristol show 2025

• Yesterday at 6:33 PM
• symphony1010

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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111

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Sub-forums:

1. How should I audition Harbeth speakers?

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The layman's guide to a really great demonstration

• Aug 30, 2024
• mx2022

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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Sub-forums:

1. Digital Harbeths!
2. Harbeth P3ESR
3. Harbeth Compact 7ES3
4. Harbeth Monitor 30.1 / 30.2
5. Harbeth Super HL5plus family
6. Harbeth Monitor 40.3
7. Harbeth Monitor 40.1 / 40.2
8. Harbeth Monitor 20/ 20.1
9. 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
10. Veneers & looking after your Harbeths
11. Previous Harbeth models
    1. After care
12. HHB Circle series & Xpression! DPM1

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Amplifier for SHL5 XD?

• Yesterday at 11:02 AM
• rolase

"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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764

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1. Understanding amplifier measurements - your guide

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The 'X' (eXcellent) list of exemplary lab-standard audio amplifiers

• Sunday at 2:53 AM
• psredding

The objective side of audio - facts

Please respect the statement at the top of the HUG home page when posting.

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533

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Sub-forums:

1. Uses and abuses of technical information
2. Is enhanced fidelity an additive process?
3. Analogue sound really is technically different!
4. Maintaining traceable technical standards
5. At the front end - studio equipment for recording
6. Room damping using materials
7. How humans hear
8. D.S.P. room correction
9. Amp. engineering: matching, clipping, features...
10. Speaker design
11. 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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Plangent Processes: correcting wow and flutter in analog tape recordings

• Feb 1, 2025
• MetroSF

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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636

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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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What are you listening to?

• Yesterday at 8:19 PM
• mx2022

Designer's Blog

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11

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159

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159

A visit to our design facility….

• Jan 25, 2025
• Igorevich

Life, business, culture, ethics

With a focus on the UK

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195

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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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195

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The Financial Times, 15 Feb. 2025: "The danger to democracy is greater than 90 years ago..."

• Yesterday at 9:59 PM
• EricW