{"id":24651,"date":"2021-10-12T19:21:47","date_gmt":"2021-10-12T18:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?p=24651"},"modified":"2021-10-16T15:09:15","modified_gmt":"2021-10-16T14:09:15","slug":"harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/","title":{"rendered":"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Listening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track, \u201cWhere is the Love?\u201d its panoramic presentation plays to the strength of Harbeth\u2019s latest version of their ever popular Compact 7 monitor.<\/p>\n

Having owned the original and the anniversary version, the current \u201cXD\u201d series is the best yet \u2013 at least for most of us. If you\u2019re the person that always likes the original version of something, claiming all subsequent versions to not only be rubbish, but not \u201cthe real example,\u201d you might be a little put off by the extra resolution served up by this model. As they say in business school \u2013 \u201cyou\u2019re not the right customer.\u201d
\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They might just be the grail you\u2019ve been seeking<\/strong><\/p>\n

We can go on and on about this track and that, but these speakers need to be experienced at a deeper level than you might get from a quick dealer demo or a cursory listen at a hifi show. Harbeth always makes a good showing in this context to be sure, but this new, XD version of the C7 begs a long listen \u2013 the equivalent of a road trip. The more time you can put in your listening chair with a pair, the more I suspect you will enjoy them.<\/p>\n

With the cost to participate in a \u201chigh-end\u201d audio system ever increasing, along with the complexity and the myriad choices at your disposal, it\u2019s easy to lose your way. The past versions of Harbeth\u2019s C7 have always been Exceptional Value Award winners. The current speaker is better in every way, and even though the price is higher than when we first heard a pair about 15 years ago, they still represent tremendous value and performance. I\u2019m also purchasing the review pair. These will become my benchmark to review realistically priced components. These are still worthy of our Exceptional Value Award for 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you happen to be someone that finds your joy in the music a lot more than you do in endless gear swapping and the upgrade path, your journey could end right here. The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD does so much right and nothing wrong. It doesn\u2019t get a lot better than that.
\n\u2013 Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio<\/p>\n

Link to product: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD<\/a>
\nLink to review:\u00a0Tone Audio<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Listening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track,…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[174],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review - INTEK HI-FI<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Logo-harbeth-white-h120px Loudspeakers Where to buy User Group Contact usHarbeth C7ES-3 XD LoudspeakerPreviousNextThe icon of clarity and detailESSENTIAL NEUTRALITY AND NATURAL TONAL BALANCEAllow sensational music moments to come to life at the comfort of your home with the multi-award winning, medium-sized C7ES-3 XD loudspeaker. Acclaimed for its accurate three-dimensional sound, this speaker will impress even the most religious demands of an audiophile.The Harbeth secret for inducing accuracy and lifelike sound is the meticulous attention to detail during the design stage. Critically important, but hidden, is the crossover, which carefully integrates the drive units across a wider horizontal and vertical arc. Incremental changes to this fundamental component have allowed this legendary loudspeaker to present the most challenging instruments with increased presence and transparency. No other loudspeaker communicates the emotional power of the artists so eloquently.Technical specificationsTechnical Features200mm Harbeth RADIAL2\u2122 bass\/mid; 25mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeterFrequency response45Hz \u2013 20kHz, \u00b13dB free-space, grille on, smooth off-axis responseImpedance6 ohms, easy to driveSensitivity86dB\/2.83V\/1m axialAmplifier suggestionWorks with a wide range of amplifiers \u2013 suggested from 25W\/channelPower handling150W programme Dimensions520 x 272 x 305 mm(+12mm for grille and binding posts)ConnectorsTwo 4mm Harbeth branded binding posts Weight13.2kg each (without packing)Space needsOverall response optimised for use away from walls.StandsOptimally to bring ears level with tweeters. (Tweeter: 440mm up from cabinet base)PackingSingle speaker per protective carton Grille colourBlackWhere to buyUser guideTechnologyFinishesOur cabinets are handmade and feature the finest veneers. Please note that veneers vary in both colour, shade and grain structure, particularly our Tamo Ash veneer.*Not all finishes are available in all countriesCHERRYTAMO ASHC7ES-3 Walnut veneer example WALNUTSign up for our newsletterName*Email*The Harbeth User GroupThe meeting place for our friends and neighbours in Europe and from around the world bonded by the appreciation for natural sound. HUG explores sound reproduction from recording to the listening room \u2013 and many other aspects of related life. You\u2019re most welcome!Join hereAbout Harbeth An introduction The BBC Heritage Harbeth technology Making your speakers Harbeth in society After salesBlog Our designer's blog Videos News & EventsLoudspeakers P3ESR XD C7ES-3 XD SHL5plus XD M30.2 XD M40.3 XDSupport Contact us Find a retailer Product registration Support User guide AccessoriesFollow usFacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagramPinterestBritish Tinnitus Association \u00a9 All Rights ReservedHarbeth Audio Ltd., UKTerms & Conditions of Sale Website Terms of Use Warranty Terms & Conditions for the purchase of Goods TONEAudio MAGAZINEThe e-journal of analog and digital soundSkip to content Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Subscribe The Audiophile Apartment HA! Analogaholic Old School ReviewsREVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD Further On Down The RoadBy Jeff DorgayListening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track, \u201cWhere is the Love?\u201d its panoramic presentation plays to the strength of Harbeth\u2019s latest version of their ever popular Compact 7 monitor.Having owned the original and the anniversary version, the current \u201cXD\u201d series is the best yet \u2013 at least for most of us. If you\u2019re the person that always likes the original version of something, claiming all subsequent versions to not only be rubbish, but not \u201cthe real example,\u201d you might be a little put off by the extra resolution served up by this model. As they say in business school \u2013 \u201cyou\u2019re not the right customer.\u201dComparing these speakers to another British favorite, the Quad ESLs, the Harbeths reproduce so much music perfectly through the midband (a testament to owner Alan Shaw\u2019s loyalty to the BBC ethos and the RADIAL2\u2122 technology unique to Harbeth) you forget that they don\u2019t have enough resolution to kill flies at 20 paces, and low frequency extension to loosen your dental work. And that\u2019s just fine. Tracking through the Rolling Stones\u2019 \u201cI\u2019m Just Waiting on a Friend\u201d is absolutely lovely. Jagger and Richards\u2019 voices occupy their own personal space, with the background vocals slightly off in the distance, yet Charlie Watts drumming is anchored solidly, and you can follow every note in the bass line precisely. The Brits call this \u201cpace and timing.\u201d This is what will keep you in the listening chair all day \u2013 this lifelike quality that the Harbeths present.At first glance, $4,890 (in cherry, seen here and $5,190 for walnut or tamo ash) might seem a little spendy for a pair of Brit-Monitors, but the world economy, and shipping costs have been causing havoc for everyone, not just high-end audio manufacturers. These speakers are worth every bit of their price tag. Keep in mind, Harbeth speakers are still designed, and hand built in small batches in their UK factory.Easy set up and integrationHarbeth\u2019s Alan Shaw is a meticulous designer. I\u2019ve been to the factory, and I\u2019ve seen Shaw\u2019s volumes of notes. These speakers are not merely a result of picking a few drivers, building some cabinets, and off you go. Everything is deliberate, everything is measured, and triple checked. The end result is nothing short of stunning, and a side benefit to this is a house sound in the best way possible. As you move up the range, each speaker is optimized to not only deliver more music, but in increasingly bigger rooms as well. Though I\u2019ve been achieving great results in my larger 15 x 26-foot room (on the short wall), these speakers deliver an incredibly good balance of low frequency extension and upper bass\/midrange balance in a room about 13 x 18.The level of output and articulation the XDs produce will not have many people clamoring for subwoofers. Their rated sensitivity is 86db\/2.83v\/1m, but that doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. While this suggests a relatively inefficient speaker, Harbeths have always been incredibly easy to drive. They are equally easy to set up. Thanks to their wide dispersion characteristic, they don\u2019t need a lot of toe in to get the sound \u201cright.\u201dAs with every stand mount speaker we\u2019ve used, stand construction, interface between speaker and stand, and stand height is important. But again, there are a few trains of thought here. The C7s work well on low (approximately 18\u201d) medium (24\u201d) or high (28\u201d) stands. Some prefer them with minimal mass stands, while others like the weighted Sound Anchors, or something very similar. Your couch height and presentation preference will determine what your final setup will be. I have heard all three work. Our tests were all performed with 24\u201d filled Sound Anchor stands with blu-tack between the speakers and stands, or the 18\u201d filled stands that came with our Wharfedale Linton speakers. Harbeth suggests bringing tweeters to ear height for best results, and we concur.While some feel the Harbeth sound is slightly \u201cwooly,\u201d I submit that it\u2019s all about quality in the amplifier department. TONE has auditioned and\/or owned all of the past models except the Monitor 30, and that has never been our experience. Connected to a low power, low quality tube amplifier with no control, or current capability, the new Compact 7 will leave you wanting more, but taking the perspective that an excellent monitor will expose the weaknesses up the chain \u2013 that\u2019s what needs to be investigated.The new speaker is even more tube friendly than its predecessor, and when combined with the Octave V110SE, the PrimaLuna EVO400, or the new McIntosh MC1502, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Of course, our results with Luxman, Pass, Boulder, Parasound, and Nagra on the solid-state side of the fence are equally compelling. However, the little bit extra beauty achieved with the Nagra Classic Preamp and the McIntosh MC1502 is tough to ignore.Everything makes a differenceThis brings us to the improvements on the XD models. While this version of the C7ES makes use of the same driver compliment as the last model, incorporating a lot of what Harbeth learned in terms of cabinet refinement and improved components in the crossover network has allowed these drivers to deliver even more performance. Shaw claims he\u2019s \u201cflattened out the small lumps and bumps in the frequency response by using custom made resistors, coils and capacitors. So the overall sound is better integrated bass\/mid\/top.\u201dThe current model has all the magic, friendliness, and vocal\/midrange accuracy that we\u2019ve always enjoyed from Harbeth in the past, but with increased clarity \u2013 all the way through the range. I can\u2019t claim to remember the minute details of the last version, so I borrowed a pair for some real side by side evaluation.Unless you have canine hearing and photographic memory, enough of the Harbeth sound carries through both new and past generation, that after listening to the new ones for a while, you want to stay there. Yet if you switch back to the old ones, you\u2019ll instantly notice a little less depth, a little less sparkle on top and a bit less slam on the bottom, but after about an hour, the smile returns to your face. The most OCD of you might have to trade up. Yet, for the rest of you the current version will be an excellent choice compared to something else you might have been considering.Back to the coreThese speakers never sound harsh, forward, or fatiguing. Again, so much of whether a pair of these are for you will depend on what music you listen to, and how you listen to it. If you don\u2019t listen to the heaviest of rock music, or the punchiest electronica at punishing levels, you\u2019ll be surprised at just how much the current Harbeths can handle. Even when listening to things like Led Zeppelin, TOOL, or The Foo Fighters at less than brain damage levels is very rewarding. Tracking through an old favorite, Bruce Springsteen\u2019s Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ not only follows the dynamic swings, but reveals the nuances of Springsteen\u2019s voice and acoustic guitar in a way few speakers can. Again, this is what keeps you in the listening chair for hours on end. Mixing it up for some bass heavy tracks again confirms that there is more than enough of the fundamentals to get a solid musical experience.Where a smaller monitor like the LS3\/5A or Harbeth\u2019s own P3ESR (which we\u2019ve also reviewed) often seems like it just won\u2019t play big enough, in the sense that the sonic image created in anything but the smallest of rooms is smaller than life, the C7 is just right. To counter this, there are times that the Quads produce an image that is overblown, though not to the extent that a pair of Magnepans does.The C7s, properly set up with a bit of space between them (when the stereo image collapses to two individual mono speakers, you\u2019ve gone too far in your quest) creates a sonic landscape that feels believable. In addition to the vocalists and instruments sounding natural, and realistic, the size and spatial relationships sound right. If you\u2019ve ever heard a solo vocalist or small ensemble perform in a modest sized room, you know what we mean. The same thing goes for acoustic instruments. The more time you spend in the listening chair with Harbeth\u2019s latest, the easier it is to immerse yourself in the music being played.The current version of the C7 looks like past models, but the new speaker is finished to a higher standard than Harbeth\u2019s past. It\u2019s smoother, less raw. The only complaint to make here, is that the wood used feels a little bit softer than past models, so handle them with the utmost care. But the new, satin-y finish is gorgeous, and maybe I\u2019m psyching myself out, but the level of care used in past models at the joints and such feels even more meticulously executed.They might just be the grail you\u2019ve been seekingWe can go on and on about this track and that, but these speakers need to be experienced at a deeper level than you might get from a quick dealer demo or a cursory listen at a hifi show. Harbeth always makes a good showing in this context to be sure, but this new, XD version of the C7 begs a long listen \u2013 the equivalent of a road trip. The more time you can put in your listening chair with a pair, the more I suspect you will enjoy them.With the cost to participate in a \u201chigh-end\u201d audio system ever increasing, along with the complexity and the myriad choices at your disposal, it\u2019s easy to lose your way. The past versions of Harbeth\u2019s C7 have always been Exceptional Value Award winners. The current speaker is better in every way, and even though the price is higher than when we first heard a pair about 15 years ago, they still represent tremendous value and performance. I\u2019m also purchasing the review pair. These will become my benchmark to review realistically priced components. These are still worthy of our Exceptional Value Award for 2021.If you happen to be someone that finds your joy in the music a lot more than you do in endless gear swapping and the upgrade path, your journey could end right here. The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD does so much right and nothing wrong. It doesn\u2019t get a lot better than that.Harbeth.co.uk (factory)Fidelisdistribution.com (US Distributor)603-880-4434PeripheralsDigital Source dCS Vivaldi ONEAnalog Source Nagra Classic Phono, AVID Volvere SP, SME 309, Eminent Hyper EXPreamplifier Nagra Classic PreampAmplifier McIntosh MC1502Cable Cardas Clear, Tellurium Q Black DiamondTweetPrevious spotlight: The Focal Kanta no.1 speakersNext spotlight: REVIEW: The LSA T-1 TurntablePlease note that all TONE and TONE related text and images are copyright \u00a9 2005\u20132021 TONE Magazine and The Audiophile Apartment. The RSS feed provided is for personal, non-commercial use only.If you are not reading this content in your news aggregator, RSS reader, or direct, then the site you are looking at may be guilty of copyright infringement. If you locate this anywhere, please contact jeff@tonepublications.com so we can take action immediately.Recent Reviews The Parasound JC 1+ Monoblocks The Vitus Audio SIA-25 Integrated The Luxman L-590AXII The Manley Snapper Monoblocks The Rega P10 Turntable and Apheta 3 Cartridge The Manley Mahi Monoblocks REVIEW: The Thrax Yatrus Turntable REVIEW: The Naim Uniti Star REVIEW \u2013 The FinkTeam Kim Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The Rega Kyte Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The LSA Warp 1 Power Amplifier REVIEW: Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply REVIEW: Eggleston Nico EVO The ZuAudio Omen Dirty Weekend The Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers REVIEW: Canton Chrono SL586.2DC REVIEW: The CAP REVIEW: The LSA T-1 Turntable REVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD The Focal Kanta no.1 speakers Core Power Equi=Core 1000 The Sonus faber Maxima Amator The McIntosh XRT2.1 K Speakers The McIntosh MC1502 Power AmplifierNewsletter:timberland boots Home Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Analogaholic Portfolio Subscribe Contact \u00a9 2021 TONE Magazine, LLC | All Rights reserved. | Site by BloodyMonster Web Solutions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review - INTEK HI-FI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Logo-harbeth-white-h120px Loudspeakers Where to buy User Group Contact usHarbeth C7ES-3 XD LoudspeakerPreviousNextThe icon of clarity and detailESSENTIAL NEUTRALITY AND NATURAL TONAL BALANCEAllow sensational music moments to come to life at the comfort of your home with the multi-award winning, medium-sized C7ES-3 XD loudspeaker. Acclaimed for its accurate three-dimensional sound, this speaker will impress even the most religious demands of an audiophile.The Harbeth secret for inducing accuracy and lifelike sound is the meticulous attention to detail during the design stage. Critically important, but hidden, is the crossover, which carefully integrates the drive units across a wider horizontal and vertical arc. Incremental changes to this fundamental component have allowed this legendary loudspeaker to present the most challenging instruments with increased presence and transparency. No other loudspeaker communicates the emotional power of the artists so eloquently.Technical specificationsTechnical Features200mm Harbeth RADIAL2\u2122 bass\/mid; 25mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeterFrequency response45Hz \u2013 20kHz, \u00b13dB free-space, grille on, smooth off-axis responseImpedance6 ohms, easy to driveSensitivity86dB\/2.83V\/1m axialAmplifier suggestionWorks with a wide range of amplifiers \u2013 suggested from 25W\/channelPower handling150W programme Dimensions520 x 272 x 305 mm(+12mm for grille and binding posts)ConnectorsTwo 4mm Harbeth branded binding posts Weight13.2kg each (without packing)Space needsOverall response optimised for use away from walls.StandsOptimally to bring ears level with tweeters. (Tweeter: 440mm up from cabinet base)PackingSingle speaker per protective carton Grille colourBlackWhere to buyUser guideTechnologyFinishesOur cabinets are handmade and feature the finest veneers. Please note that veneers vary in both colour, shade and grain structure, particularly our Tamo Ash veneer.*Not all finishes are available in all countriesCHERRYTAMO ASHC7ES-3 Walnut veneer example WALNUTSign up for our newsletterName*Email*The Harbeth User GroupThe meeting place for our friends and neighbours in Europe and from around the world bonded by the appreciation for natural sound. HUG explores sound reproduction from recording to the listening room \u2013 and many other aspects of related life. You\u2019re most welcome!Join hereAbout Harbeth An introduction The BBC Heritage Harbeth technology Making your speakers Harbeth in society After salesBlog Our designer's blog Videos News & EventsLoudspeakers P3ESR XD C7ES-3 XD SHL5plus XD M30.2 XD M40.3 XDSupport Contact us Find a retailer Product registration Support User guide AccessoriesFollow usFacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagramPinterestBritish Tinnitus Association \u00a9 All Rights ReservedHarbeth Audio Ltd., UKTerms & Conditions of Sale Website Terms of Use Warranty Terms & Conditions for the purchase of Goods TONEAudio MAGAZINEThe e-journal of analog and digital soundSkip to content Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Subscribe The Audiophile Apartment HA! Analogaholic Old School ReviewsREVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD Further On Down The RoadBy Jeff DorgayListening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track, \u201cWhere is the Love?\u201d its panoramic presentation plays to the strength of Harbeth\u2019s latest version of their ever popular Compact 7 monitor.Having owned the original and the anniversary version, the current \u201cXD\u201d series is the best yet \u2013 at least for most of us. If you\u2019re the person that always likes the original version of something, claiming all subsequent versions to not only be rubbish, but not \u201cthe real example,\u201d you might be a little put off by the extra resolution served up by this model. As they say in business school \u2013 \u201cyou\u2019re not the right customer.\u201dComparing these speakers to another British favorite, the Quad ESLs, the Harbeths reproduce so much music perfectly through the midband (a testament to owner Alan Shaw\u2019s loyalty to the BBC ethos and the RADIAL2\u2122 technology unique to Harbeth) you forget that they don\u2019t have enough resolution to kill flies at 20 paces, and low frequency extension to loosen your dental work. And that\u2019s just fine. Tracking through the Rolling Stones\u2019 \u201cI\u2019m Just Waiting on a Friend\u201d is absolutely lovely. Jagger and Richards\u2019 voices occupy their own personal space, with the background vocals slightly off in the distance, yet Charlie Watts drumming is anchored solidly, and you can follow every note in the bass line precisely. The Brits call this \u201cpace and timing.\u201d This is what will keep you in the listening chair all day \u2013 this lifelike quality that the Harbeths present.At first glance, $4,890 (in cherry, seen here and $5,190 for walnut or tamo ash) might seem a little spendy for a pair of Brit-Monitors, but the world economy, and shipping costs have been causing havoc for everyone, not just high-end audio manufacturers. These speakers are worth every bit of their price tag. Keep in mind, Harbeth speakers are still designed, and hand built in small batches in their UK factory.Easy set up and integrationHarbeth\u2019s Alan Shaw is a meticulous designer. I\u2019ve been to the factory, and I\u2019ve seen Shaw\u2019s volumes of notes. These speakers are not merely a result of picking a few drivers, building some cabinets, and off you go. Everything is deliberate, everything is measured, and triple checked. The end result is nothing short of stunning, and a side benefit to this is a house sound in the best way possible. As you move up the range, each speaker is optimized to not only deliver more music, but in increasingly bigger rooms as well. Though I\u2019ve been achieving great results in my larger 15 x 26-foot room (on the short wall), these speakers deliver an incredibly good balance of low frequency extension and upper bass\/midrange balance in a room about 13 x 18.The level of output and articulation the XDs produce will not have many people clamoring for subwoofers. Their rated sensitivity is 86db\/2.83v\/1m, but that doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. While this suggests a relatively inefficient speaker, Harbeths have always been incredibly easy to drive. They are equally easy to set up. Thanks to their wide dispersion characteristic, they don\u2019t need a lot of toe in to get the sound \u201cright.\u201dAs with every stand mount speaker we\u2019ve used, stand construction, interface between speaker and stand, and stand height is important. But again, there are a few trains of thought here. The C7s work well on low (approximately 18\u201d) medium (24\u201d) or high (28\u201d) stands. Some prefer them with minimal mass stands, while others like the weighted Sound Anchors, or something very similar. Your couch height and presentation preference will determine what your final setup will be. I have heard all three work. Our tests were all performed with 24\u201d filled Sound Anchor stands with blu-tack between the speakers and stands, or the 18\u201d filled stands that came with our Wharfedale Linton speakers. Harbeth suggests bringing tweeters to ear height for best results, and we concur.While some feel the Harbeth sound is slightly \u201cwooly,\u201d I submit that it\u2019s all about quality in the amplifier department. TONE has auditioned and\/or owned all of the past models except the Monitor 30, and that has never been our experience. Connected to a low power, low quality tube amplifier with no control, or current capability, the new Compact 7 will leave you wanting more, but taking the perspective that an excellent monitor will expose the weaknesses up the chain \u2013 that\u2019s what needs to be investigated.The new speaker is even more tube friendly than its predecessor, and when combined with the Octave V110SE, the PrimaLuna EVO400, or the new McIntosh MC1502, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Of course, our results with Luxman, Pass, Boulder, Parasound, and Nagra on the solid-state side of the fence are equally compelling. However, the little bit extra beauty achieved with the Nagra Classic Preamp and the McIntosh MC1502 is tough to ignore.Everything makes a differenceThis brings us to the improvements on the XD models. While this version of the C7ES makes use of the same driver compliment as the last model, incorporating a lot of what Harbeth learned in terms of cabinet refinement and improved components in the crossover network has allowed these drivers to deliver even more performance. Shaw claims he\u2019s \u201cflattened out the small lumps and bumps in the frequency response by using custom made resistors, coils and capacitors. So the overall sound is better integrated bass\/mid\/top.\u201dThe current model has all the magic, friendliness, and vocal\/midrange accuracy that we\u2019ve always enjoyed from Harbeth in the past, but with increased clarity \u2013 all the way through the range. I can\u2019t claim to remember the minute details of the last version, so I borrowed a pair for some real side by side evaluation.Unless you have canine hearing and photographic memory, enough of the Harbeth sound carries through both new and past generation, that after listening to the new ones for a while, you want to stay there. Yet if you switch back to the old ones, you\u2019ll instantly notice a little less depth, a little less sparkle on top and a bit less slam on the bottom, but after about an hour, the smile returns to your face. The most OCD of you might have to trade up. Yet, for the rest of you the current version will be an excellent choice compared to something else you might have been considering.Back to the coreThese speakers never sound harsh, forward, or fatiguing. Again, so much of whether a pair of these are for you will depend on what music you listen to, and how you listen to it. If you don\u2019t listen to the heaviest of rock music, or the punchiest electronica at punishing levels, you\u2019ll be surprised at just how much the current Harbeths can handle. Even when listening to things like Led Zeppelin, TOOL, or The Foo Fighters at less than brain damage levels is very rewarding. Tracking through an old favorite, Bruce Springsteen\u2019s Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ not only follows the dynamic swings, but reveals the nuances of Springsteen\u2019s voice and acoustic guitar in a way few speakers can. Again, this is what keeps you in the listening chair for hours on end. Mixing it up for some bass heavy tracks again confirms that there is more than enough of the fundamentals to get a solid musical experience.Where a smaller monitor like the LS3\/5A or Harbeth\u2019s own P3ESR (which we\u2019ve also reviewed) often seems like it just won\u2019t play big enough, in the sense that the sonic image created in anything but the smallest of rooms is smaller than life, the C7 is just right. To counter this, there are times that the Quads produce an image that is overblown, though not to the extent that a pair of Magnepans does.The C7s, properly set up with a bit of space between them (when the stereo image collapses to two individual mono speakers, you\u2019ve gone too far in your quest) creates a sonic landscape that feels believable. In addition to the vocalists and instruments sounding natural, and realistic, the size and spatial relationships sound right. If you\u2019ve ever heard a solo vocalist or small ensemble perform in a modest sized room, you know what we mean. The same thing goes for acoustic instruments. The more time you spend in the listening chair with Harbeth\u2019s latest, the easier it is to immerse yourself in the music being played.The current version of the C7 looks like past models, but the new speaker is finished to a higher standard than Harbeth\u2019s past. It\u2019s smoother, less raw. The only complaint to make here, is that the wood used feels a little bit softer than past models, so handle them with the utmost care. But the new, satin-y finish is gorgeous, and maybe I\u2019m psyching myself out, but the level of care used in past models at the joints and such feels even more meticulously executed.They might just be the grail you\u2019ve been seekingWe can go on and on about this track and that, but these speakers need to be experienced at a deeper level than you might get from a quick dealer demo or a cursory listen at a hifi show. Harbeth always makes a good showing in this context to be sure, but this new, XD version of the C7 begs a long listen \u2013 the equivalent of a road trip. The more time you can put in your listening chair with a pair, the more I suspect you will enjoy them.With the cost to participate in a \u201chigh-end\u201d audio system ever increasing, along with the complexity and the myriad choices at your disposal, it\u2019s easy to lose your way. The past versions of Harbeth\u2019s C7 have always been Exceptional Value Award winners. The current speaker is better in every way, and even though the price is higher than when we first heard a pair about 15 years ago, they still represent tremendous value and performance. I\u2019m also purchasing the review pair. These will become my benchmark to review realistically priced components. These are still worthy of our Exceptional Value Award for 2021.If you happen to be someone that finds your joy in the music a lot more than you do in endless gear swapping and the upgrade path, your journey could end right here. The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD does so much right and nothing wrong. It doesn\u2019t get a lot better than that.Harbeth.co.uk (factory)Fidelisdistribution.com (US Distributor)603-880-4434PeripheralsDigital Source dCS Vivaldi ONEAnalog Source Nagra Classic Phono, AVID Volvere SP, SME 309, Eminent Hyper EXPreamplifier Nagra Classic PreampAmplifier McIntosh MC1502Cable Cardas Clear, Tellurium Q Black DiamondTweetPrevious spotlight: The Focal Kanta no.1 speakersNext spotlight: REVIEW: The LSA T-1 TurntablePlease note that all TONE and TONE related text and images are copyright \u00a9 2005\u20132021 TONE Magazine and The Audiophile Apartment. The RSS feed provided is for personal, non-commercial use only.If you are not reading this content in your news aggregator, RSS reader, or direct, then the site you are looking at may be guilty of copyright infringement. If you locate this anywhere, please contact jeff@tonepublications.com so we can take action immediately.Recent Reviews The Parasound JC 1+ Monoblocks The Vitus Audio SIA-25 Integrated The Luxman L-590AXII The Manley Snapper Monoblocks The Rega P10 Turntable and Apheta 3 Cartridge The Manley Mahi Monoblocks REVIEW: The Thrax Yatrus Turntable REVIEW: The Naim Uniti Star REVIEW \u2013 The FinkTeam Kim Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The Rega Kyte Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The LSA Warp 1 Power Amplifier REVIEW: Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply REVIEW: Eggleston Nico EVO The ZuAudio Omen Dirty Weekend The Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers REVIEW: Canton Chrono SL586.2DC REVIEW: The CAP REVIEW: The LSA T-1 Turntable REVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD The Focal Kanta no.1 speakers Core Power Equi=Core 1000 The Sonus faber Maxima Amator The McIntosh XRT2.1 K Speakers The McIntosh MC1502 Power AmplifierNewsletter:timberland boots Home Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Analogaholic Portfolio Subscribe Contact \u00a9 2021 TONE Magazine, LLC | All Rights reserved. | Site by BloodyMonster Web Solutions\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"INTEK HI-FI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-10-12T18:21:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-10-16T14:09:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"darko\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/\",\"name\":\"INTEK HI-FI\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720-1.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"caption\":\"Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/\",\"name\":\"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review - INTEK HI-FI\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-10-12T18:21:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-10-16T14:09:15+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7\"},\"description\":\"Logo-harbeth-white-h120px Loudspeakers Where to buy User Group Contact usHarbeth C7ES-3 XD LoudspeakerPreviousNextThe icon of clarity and detailESSENTIAL NEUTRALITY AND NATURAL TONAL BALANCEAllow sensational music moments to come to life at the comfort of your home with the multi-award winning, medium-sized C7ES-3 XD loudspeaker. Acclaimed for its accurate three-dimensional sound, this speaker will impress even the most religious demands of an audiophile.The Harbeth secret for inducing accuracy and lifelike sound is the meticulous attention to detail during the design stage. Critically important, but hidden, is the crossover, which carefully integrates the drive units across a wider horizontal and vertical arc. Incremental changes to this fundamental component have allowed this legendary loudspeaker to present the most challenging instruments with increased presence and transparency. No other loudspeaker communicates the emotional power of the artists so eloquently.Technical specificationsTechnical Features200mm Harbeth RADIAL2\\u2122 bass\/mid; 25mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeterFrequency response45Hz \\u2013 20kHz, \\u00b13dB free-space, grille on, smooth off-axis responseImpedance6 ohms, easy to driveSensitivity86dB\/2.83V\/1m axialAmplifier suggestionWorks with a wide range of amplifiers \\u2013 suggested from 25W\/channelPower handling150W programme Dimensions520 x 272 x 305 mm(+12mm for grille and binding posts)ConnectorsTwo 4mm Harbeth branded binding posts Weight13.2kg each (without packing)Space needsOverall response optimised for use away from walls.StandsOptimally to bring ears level with tweeters. (Tweeter: 440mm up from cabinet base)PackingSingle speaker per protective carton Grille colourBlackWhere to buyUser guideTechnologyFinishesOur cabinets are handmade and feature the finest veneers. Please note that veneers vary in both colour, shade and grain structure, particularly our Tamo Ash veneer.*Not all finishes are available in all countriesCHERRYTAMO ASHC7ES-3 Walnut veneer example WALNUTSign up for our newsletterName*Email*The Harbeth User GroupThe meeting place for our friends and neighbours in Europe and from around the world bonded by the appreciation for natural sound. HUG explores sound reproduction from recording to the listening room \\u2013 and many other aspects of related life. You\\u2019re most welcome!Join hereAbout Harbeth An introduction The BBC Heritage Harbeth technology Making your speakers Harbeth in society After salesBlog Our designer's blog Videos News & EventsLoudspeakers P3ESR XD C7ES-3 XD SHL5plus XD M30.2 XD M40.3 XDSupport Contact us Find a retailer Product registration Support User guide AccessoriesFollow usFacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagramPinterestBritish Tinnitus Association \\u00a9 All Rights ReservedHarbeth Audio Ltd., UKTerms & Conditions of Sale Website Terms of Use Warranty Terms & Conditions for the purchase of Goods TONEAudio MAGAZINEThe e-journal of analog and digital soundSkip to content Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Subscribe The Audiophile Apartment HA! Analogaholic Old School ReviewsREVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD Further On Down The RoadBy Jeff DorgayListening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track, \\u201cWhere is the Love?\\u201d its panoramic presentation plays to the strength of Harbeth\\u2019s latest version of their ever popular Compact 7 monitor.Having owned the original and the anniversary version, the current \\u201cXD\\u201d series is the best yet \\u2013 at least for most of us. If you\\u2019re the person that always likes the original version of something, claiming all subsequent versions to not only be rubbish, but not \\u201cthe real example,\\u201d you might be a little put off by the extra resolution served up by this model. As they say in business school \\u2013 \\u201cyou\\u2019re not the right customer.\\u201dComparing these speakers to another British favorite, the Quad ESLs, the Harbeths reproduce so much music perfectly through the midband (a testament to owner Alan Shaw\\u2019s loyalty to the BBC ethos and the RADIAL2\\u2122 technology unique to Harbeth) you forget that they don\\u2019t have enough resolution to kill flies at 20 paces, and low frequency extension to loosen your dental work. And that\\u2019s just fine. Tracking through the Rolling Stones\\u2019 \\u201cI\\u2019m Just Waiting on a Friend\\u201d is absolutely lovely. Jagger and Richards\\u2019 voices occupy their own personal space, with the background vocals slightly off in the distance, yet Charlie Watts drumming is anchored solidly, and you can follow every note in the bass line precisely. The Brits call this \\u201cpace and timing.\\u201d This is what will keep you in the listening chair all day \\u2013 this lifelike quality that the Harbeths present.At first glance, $4,890 (in cherry, seen here and $5,190 for walnut or tamo ash) might seem a little spendy for a pair of Brit-Monitors, but the world economy, and shipping costs have been causing havoc for everyone, not just high-end audio manufacturers. These speakers are worth every bit of their price tag. Keep in mind, Harbeth speakers are still designed, and hand built in small batches in their UK factory.Easy set up and integrationHarbeth\\u2019s Alan Shaw is a meticulous designer. I\\u2019ve been to the factory, and I\\u2019ve seen Shaw\\u2019s volumes of notes. These speakers are not merely a result of picking a few drivers, building some cabinets, and off you go. Everything is deliberate, everything is measured, and triple checked. The end result is nothing short of stunning, and a side benefit to this is a house sound in the best way possible. As you move up the range, each speaker is optimized to not only deliver more music, but in increasingly bigger rooms as well. Though I\\u2019ve been achieving great results in my larger 15 x 26-foot room (on the short wall), these speakers deliver an incredibly good balance of low frequency extension and upper bass\/midrange balance in a room about 13 x 18.The level of output and articulation the XDs produce will not have many people clamoring for subwoofers. Their rated sensitivity is 86db\/2.83v\/1m, but that doesn\\u2019t tell the whole story. While this suggests a relatively inefficient speaker, Harbeths have always been incredibly easy to drive. They are equally easy to set up. Thanks to their wide dispersion characteristic, they don\\u2019t need a lot of toe in to get the sound \\u201cright.\\u201dAs with every stand mount speaker we\\u2019ve used, stand construction, interface between speaker and stand, and stand height is important. But again, there are a few trains of thought here. The C7s work well on low (approximately 18\\u201d) medium (24\\u201d) or high (28\\u201d) stands. Some prefer them with minimal mass stands, while others like the weighted Sound Anchors, or something very similar. Your couch height and presentation preference will determine what your final setup will be. I have heard all three work. Our tests were all performed with 24\\u201d filled Sound Anchor stands with blu-tack between the speakers and stands, or the 18\\u201d filled stands that came with our Wharfedale Linton speakers. Harbeth suggests bringing tweeters to ear height for best results, and we concur.While some feel the Harbeth sound is slightly \\u201cwooly,\\u201d I submit that it\\u2019s all about quality in the amplifier department. TONE has auditioned and\/or owned all of the past models except the Monitor 30, and that has never been our experience. Connected to a low power, low quality tube amplifier with no control, or current capability, the new Compact 7 will leave you wanting more, but taking the perspective that an excellent monitor will expose the weaknesses up the chain \\u2013 that\\u2019s what needs to be investigated.The new speaker is even more tube friendly than its predecessor, and when combined with the Octave V110SE, the PrimaLuna EVO400, or the new McIntosh MC1502, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Of course, our results with Luxman, Pass, Boulder, Parasound, and Nagra on the solid-state side of the fence are equally compelling. However, the little bit extra beauty achieved with the Nagra Classic Preamp and the McIntosh MC1502 is tough to ignore.Everything makes a differenceThis brings us to the improvements on the XD models. While this version of the C7ES makes use of the same driver compliment as the last model, incorporating a lot of what Harbeth learned in terms of cabinet refinement and improved components in the crossover network has allowed these drivers to deliver even more performance. Shaw claims he\\u2019s \\u201cflattened out the small lumps and bumps in the frequency response by using custom made resistors, coils and capacitors. So the overall sound is better integrated bass\/mid\/top.\\u201dThe current model has all the magic, friendliness, and vocal\/midrange accuracy that we\\u2019ve always enjoyed from Harbeth in the past, but with increased clarity \\u2013 all the way through the range. I can\\u2019t claim to remember the minute details of the last version, so I borrowed a pair for some real side by side evaluation.Unless you have canine hearing and photographic memory, enough of the Harbeth sound carries through both new and past generation, that after listening to the new ones for a while, you want to stay there. Yet if you switch back to the old ones, you\\u2019ll instantly notice a little less depth, a little less sparkle on top and a bit less slam on the bottom, but after about an hour, the smile returns to your face. The most OCD of you might have to trade up. Yet, for the rest of you the current version will be an excellent choice compared to something else you might have been considering.Back to the coreThese speakers never sound harsh, forward, or fatiguing. Again, so much of whether a pair of these are for you will depend on what music you listen to, and how you listen to it. If you don\\u2019t listen to the heaviest of rock music, or the punchiest electronica at punishing levels, you\\u2019ll be surprised at just how much the current Harbeths can handle. Even when listening to things like Led Zeppelin, TOOL, or The Foo Fighters at less than brain damage levels is very rewarding. Tracking through an old favorite, Bruce Springsteen\\u2019s Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ not only follows the dynamic swings, but reveals the nuances of Springsteen\\u2019s voice and acoustic guitar in a way few speakers can. Again, this is what keeps you in the listening chair for hours on end. Mixing it up for some bass heavy tracks again confirms that there is more than enough of the fundamentals to get a solid musical experience.Where a smaller monitor like the LS3\/5A or Harbeth\\u2019s own P3ESR (which we\\u2019ve also reviewed) often seems like it just won\\u2019t play big enough, in the sense that the sonic image created in anything but the smallest of rooms is smaller than life, the C7 is just right. To counter this, there are times that the Quads produce an image that is overblown, though not to the extent that a pair of Magnepans does.The C7s, properly set up with a bit of space between them (when the stereo image collapses to two individual mono speakers, you\\u2019ve gone too far in your quest) creates a sonic landscape that feels believable. In addition to the vocalists and instruments sounding natural, and realistic, the size and spatial relationships sound right. If you\\u2019ve ever heard a solo vocalist or small ensemble perform in a modest sized room, you know what we mean. The same thing goes for acoustic instruments. The more time you spend in the listening chair with Harbeth\\u2019s latest, the easier it is to immerse yourself in the music being played.The current version of the C7 looks like past models, but the new speaker is finished to a higher standard than Harbeth\\u2019s past. It\\u2019s smoother, less raw. The only complaint to make here, is that the wood used feels a little bit softer than past models, so handle them with the utmost care. But the new, satin-y finish is gorgeous, and maybe I\\u2019m psyching myself out, but the level of care used in past models at the joints and such feels even more meticulously executed.They might just be the grail you\\u2019ve been seekingWe can go on and on about this track and that, but these speakers need to be experienced at a deeper level than you might get from a quick dealer demo or a cursory listen at a hifi show. Harbeth always makes a good showing in this context to be sure, but this new, XD version of the C7 begs a long listen \\u2013 the equivalent of a road trip. The more time you can put in your listening chair with a pair, the more I suspect you will enjoy them.With the cost to participate in a \\u201chigh-end\\u201d audio system ever increasing, along with the complexity and the myriad choices at your disposal, it\\u2019s easy to lose your way. The past versions of Harbeth\\u2019s C7 have always been Exceptional Value Award winners. The current speaker is better in every way, and even though the price is higher than when we first heard a pair about 15 years ago, they still represent tremendous value and performance. I\\u2019m also purchasing the review pair. These will become my benchmark to review realistically priced components. These are still worthy of our Exceptional Value Award for 2021.If you happen to be someone that finds your joy in the music a lot more than you do in endless gear swapping and the upgrade path, your journey could end right here. The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD does so much right and nothing wrong. It doesn\\u2019t get a lot better than that.Harbeth.co.uk (factory)Fidelisdistribution.com (US Distributor)603-880-4434PeripheralsDigital Source dCS Vivaldi ONEAnalog Source Nagra Classic Phono, AVID Volvere SP, SME 309, Eminent Hyper EXPreamplifier Nagra Classic PreampAmplifier McIntosh MC1502Cable Cardas Clear, Tellurium Q Black DiamondTweetPrevious spotlight: The Focal Kanta no.1 speakersNext spotlight: REVIEW: The LSA T-1 TurntablePlease note that all TONE and TONE related text and images are copyright \\u00a9 2005\\u20132021 TONE Magazine and The Audiophile Apartment. The RSS feed provided is for personal, non-commercial use only.If you are not reading this content in your news aggregator, RSS reader, or direct, then the site you are looking at may be guilty of copyright infringement. If you locate this anywhere, please contact jeff@tonepublications.com so we can take action immediately.Recent Reviews The Parasound JC 1+ Monoblocks The Vitus Audio SIA-25 Integrated The Luxman L-590AXII The Manley Snapper Monoblocks The Rega P10 Turntable and Apheta 3 Cartridge The Manley Mahi Monoblocks REVIEW: The Thrax Yatrus Turntable REVIEW: The Naim Uniti Star REVIEW \\u2013 The FinkTeam Kim Speakers REVIEW \\u2013 The Rega Kyte Speakers REVIEW \\u2013 The LSA Warp 1 Power Amplifier REVIEW: Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply REVIEW: Eggleston Nico EVO The ZuAudio Omen Dirty Weekend The Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers REVIEW: Canton Chrono SL586.2DC REVIEW: The CAP REVIEW: The LSA T-1 Turntable REVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD The Focal Kanta no.1 speakers Core Power Equi=Core 1000 The Sonus faber Maxima Amator The McIntosh XRT2.1 K Speakers The McIntosh MC1502 Power AmplifierNewsletter:timberland boots Home Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Analogaholic Portfolio Subscribe Contact \\u00a9 2021 TONE Magazine, LLC | All Rights reserved. | Site by BloodyMonster Web Solutions\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7\",\"name\":\"darko\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"darko\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/author\/darko\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review - INTEK HI-FI","description":"Logo-harbeth-white-h120px Loudspeakers Where to buy User Group Contact usHarbeth C7ES-3 XD LoudspeakerPreviousNextThe icon of clarity and detailESSENTIAL NEUTRALITY AND NATURAL TONAL BALANCEAllow sensational music moments to come to life at the comfort of your home with the multi-award winning, medium-sized C7ES-3 XD loudspeaker. Acclaimed for its accurate three-dimensional sound, this speaker will impress even the most religious demands of an audiophile.The Harbeth secret for inducing accuracy and lifelike sound is the meticulous attention to detail during the design stage. Critically important, but hidden, is the crossover, which carefully integrates the drive units across a wider horizontal and vertical arc. Incremental changes to this fundamental component have allowed this legendary loudspeaker to present the most challenging instruments with increased presence and transparency. No other loudspeaker communicates the emotional power of the artists so eloquently.Technical specificationsTechnical Features200mm Harbeth RADIAL2\u2122 bass\/mid; 25mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeterFrequency response45Hz \u2013 20kHz, \u00b13dB free-space, grille on, smooth off-axis responseImpedance6 ohms, easy to driveSensitivity86dB\/2.83V\/1m axialAmplifier suggestionWorks with a wide range of amplifiers \u2013 suggested from 25W\/channelPower handling150W programme Dimensions520 x 272 x 305 mm(+12mm for grille and binding posts)ConnectorsTwo 4mm Harbeth branded binding posts Weight13.2kg each (without packing)Space needsOverall response optimised for use away from walls.StandsOptimally to bring ears level with tweeters. (Tweeter: 440mm up from cabinet base)PackingSingle speaker per protective carton Grille colourBlackWhere to buyUser guideTechnologyFinishesOur cabinets are handmade and feature the finest veneers. Please note that veneers vary in both colour, shade and grain structure, particularly our Tamo Ash veneer.*Not all finishes are available in all countriesCHERRYTAMO ASHC7ES-3 Walnut veneer example WALNUTSign up for our newsletterName*Email*The Harbeth User GroupThe meeting place for our friends and neighbours in Europe and from around the world bonded by the appreciation for natural sound. HUG explores sound reproduction from recording to the listening room \u2013 and many other aspects of related life. You\u2019re most welcome!Join hereAbout Harbeth An introduction The BBC Heritage Harbeth technology Making your speakers Harbeth in society After salesBlog Our designer's blog Videos News & EventsLoudspeakers P3ESR XD C7ES-3 XD SHL5plus XD M30.2 XD M40.3 XDSupport Contact us Find a retailer Product registration Support User guide AccessoriesFollow usFacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagramPinterestBritish Tinnitus Association \u00a9 All Rights ReservedHarbeth Audio Ltd., UKTerms & Conditions of Sale Website Terms of Use Warranty Terms & Conditions for the purchase of Goods TONEAudio MAGAZINEThe e-journal of analog and digital soundSkip to content Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Subscribe The Audiophile Apartment HA! Analogaholic Old School ReviewsREVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD Further On Down The RoadBy Jeff DorgayListening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track, \u201cWhere is the Love?\u201d its panoramic presentation plays to the strength of Harbeth\u2019s latest version of their ever popular Compact 7 monitor.Having owned the original and the anniversary version, the current \u201cXD\u201d series is the best yet \u2013 at least for most of us. If you\u2019re the person that always likes the original version of something, claiming all subsequent versions to not only be rubbish, but not \u201cthe real example,\u201d you might be a little put off by the extra resolution served up by this model. As they say in business school \u2013 \u201cyou\u2019re not the right customer.\u201dComparing these speakers to another British favorite, the Quad ESLs, the Harbeths reproduce so much music perfectly through the midband (a testament to owner Alan Shaw\u2019s loyalty to the BBC ethos and the RADIAL2\u2122 technology unique to Harbeth) you forget that they don\u2019t have enough resolution to kill flies at 20 paces, and low frequency extension to loosen your dental work. And that\u2019s just fine. Tracking through the Rolling Stones\u2019 \u201cI\u2019m Just Waiting on a Friend\u201d is absolutely lovely. Jagger and Richards\u2019 voices occupy their own personal space, with the background vocals slightly off in the distance, yet Charlie Watts drumming is anchored solidly, and you can follow every note in the bass line precisely. The Brits call this \u201cpace and timing.\u201d This is what will keep you in the listening chair all day \u2013 this lifelike quality that the Harbeths present.At first glance, $4,890 (in cherry, seen here and $5,190 for walnut or tamo ash) might seem a little spendy for a pair of Brit-Monitors, but the world economy, and shipping costs have been causing havoc for everyone, not just high-end audio manufacturers. These speakers are worth every bit of their price tag. Keep in mind, Harbeth speakers are still designed, and hand built in small batches in their UK factory.Easy set up and integrationHarbeth\u2019s Alan Shaw is a meticulous designer. I\u2019ve been to the factory, and I\u2019ve seen Shaw\u2019s volumes of notes. These speakers are not merely a result of picking a few drivers, building some cabinets, and off you go. Everything is deliberate, everything is measured, and triple checked. The end result is nothing short of stunning, and a side benefit to this is a house sound in the best way possible. As you move up the range, each speaker is optimized to not only deliver more music, but in increasingly bigger rooms as well. Though I\u2019ve been achieving great results in my larger 15 x 26-foot room (on the short wall), these speakers deliver an incredibly good balance of low frequency extension and upper bass\/midrange balance in a room about 13 x 18.The level of output and articulation the XDs produce will not have many people clamoring for subwoofers. Their rated sensitivity is 86db\/2.83v\/1m, but that doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. While this suggests a relatively inefficient speaker, Harbeths have always been incredibly easy to drive. They are equally easy to set up. Thanks to their wide dispersion characteristic, they don\u2019t need a lot of toe in to get the sound \u201cright.\u201dAs with every stand mount speaker we\u2019ve used, stand construction, interface between speaker and stand, and stand height is important. But again, there are a few trains of thought here. The C7s work well on low (approximately 18\u201d) medium (24\u201d) or high (28\u201d) stands. Some prefer them with minimal mass stands, while others like the weighted Sound Anchors, or something very similar. Your couch height and presentation preference will determine what your final setup will be. I have heard all three work. Our tests were all performed with 24\u201d filled Sound Anchor stands with blu-tack between the speakers and stands, or the 18\u201d filled stands that came with our Wharfedale Linton speakers. Harbeth suggests bringing tweeters to ear height for best results, and we concur.While some feel the Harbeth sound is slightly \u201cwooly,\u201d I submit that it\u2019s all about quality in the amplifier department. TONE has auditioned and\/or owned all of the past models except the Monitor 30, and that has never been our experience. Connected to a low power, low quality tube amplifier with no control, or current capability, the new Compact 7 will leave you wanting more, but taking the perspective that an excellent monitor will expose the weaknesses up the chain \u2013 that\u2019s what needs to be investigated.The new speaker is even more tube friendly than its predecessor, and when combined with the Octave V110SE, the PrimaLuna EVO400, or the new McIntosh MC1502, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Of course, our results with Luxman, Pass, Boulder, Parasound, and Nagra on the solid-state side of the fence are equally compelling. However, the little bit extra beauty achieved with the Nagra Classic Preamp and the McIntosh MC1502 is tough to ignore.Everything makes a differenceThis brings us to the improvements on the XD models. While this version of the C7ES makes use of the same driver compliment as the last model, incorporating a lot of what Harbeth learned in terms of cabinet refinement and improved components in the crossover network has allowed these drivers to deliver even more performance. Shaw claims he\u2019s \u201cflattened out the small lumps and bumps in the frequency response by using custom made resistors, coils and capacitors. So the overall sound is better integrated bass\/mid\/top.\u201dThe current model has all the magic, friendliness, and vocal\/midrange accuracy that we\u2019ve always enjoyed from Harbeth in the past, but with increased clarity \u2013 all the way through the range. I can\u2019t claim to remember the minute details of the last version, so I borrowed a pair for some real side by side evaluation.Unless you have canine hearing and photographic memory, enough of the Harbeth sound carries through both new and past generation, that after listening to the new ones for a while, you want to stay there. Yet if you switch back to the old ones, you\u2019ll instantly notice a little less depth, a little less sparkle on top and a bit less slam on the bottom, but after about an hour, the smile returns to your face. The most OCD of you might have to trade up. Yet, for the rest of you the current version will be an excellent choice compared to something else you might have been considering.Back to the coreThese speakers never sound harsh, forward, or fatiguing. Again, so much of whether a pair of these are for you will depend on what music you listen to, and how you listen to it. If you don\u2019t listen to the heaviest of rock music, or the punchiest electronica at punishing levels, you\u2019ll be surprised at just how much the current Harbeths can handle. Even when listening to things like Led Zeppelin, TOOL, or The Foo Fighters at less than brain damage levels is very rewarding. Tracking through an old favorite, Bruce Springsteen\u2019s Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ not only follows the dynamic swings, but reveals the nuances of Springsteen\u2019s voice and acoustic guitar in a way few speakers can. Again, this is what keeps you in the listening chair for hours on end. Mixing it up for some bass heavy tracks again confirms that there is more than enough of the fundamentals to get a solid musical experience.Where a smaller monitor like the LS3\/5A or Harbeth\u2019s own P3ESR (which we\u2019ve also reviewed) often seems like it just won\u2019t play big enough, in the sense that the sonic image created in anything but the smallest of rooms is smaller than life, the C7 is just right. To counter this, there are times that the Quads produce an image that is overblown, though not to the extent that a pair of Magnepans does.The C7s, properly set up with a bit of space between them (when the stereo image collapses to two individual mono speakers, you\u2019ve gone too far in your quest) creates a sonic landscape that feels believable. In addition to the vocalists and instruments sounding natural, and realistic, the size and spatial relationships sound right. If you\u2019ve ever heard a solo vocalist or small ensemble perform in a modest sized room, you know what we mean. The same thing goes for acoustic instruments. The more time you spend in the listening chair with Harbeth\u2019s latest, the easier it is to immerse yourself in the music being played.The current version of the C7 looks like past models, but the new speaker is finished to a higher standard than Harbeth\u2019s past. It\u2019s smoother, less raw. The only complaint to make here, is that the wood used feels a little bit softer than past models, so handle them with the utmost care. But the new, satin-y finish is gorgeous, and maybe I\u2019m psyching myself out, but the level of care used in past models at the joints and such feels even more meticulously executed.They might just be the grail you\u2019ve been seekingWe can go on and on about this track and that, but these speakers need to be experienced at a deeper level than you might get from a quick dealer demo or a cursory listen at a hifi show. Harbeth always makes a good showing in this context to be sure, but this new, XD version of the C7 begs a long listen \u2013 the equivalent of a road trip. The more time you can put in your listening chair with a pair, the more I suspect you will enjoy them.With the cost to participate in a \u201chigh-end\u201d audio system ever increasing, along with the complexity and the myriad choices at your disposal, it\u2019s easy to lose your way. The past versions of Harbeth\u2019s C7 have always been Exceptional Value Award winners. The current speaker is better in every way, and even though the price is higher than when we first heard a pair about 15 years ago, they still represent tremendous value and performance. I\u2019m also purchasing the review pair. These will become my benchmark to review realistically priced components. These are still worthy of our Exceptional Value Award for 2021.If you happen to be someone that finds your joy in the music a lot more than you do in endless gear swapping and the upgrade path, your journey could end right here. The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD does so much right and nothing wrong. It doesn\u2019t get a lot better than that.Harbeth.co.uk (factory)Fidelisdistribution.com (US Distributor)603-880-4434PeripheralsDigital Source dCS Vivaldi ONEAnalog Source Nagra Classic Phono, AVID Volvere SP, SME 309, Eminent Hyper EXPreamplifier Nagra Classic PreampAmplifier McIntosh MC1502Cable Cardas Clear, Tellurium Q Black DiamondTweetPrevious spotlight: The Focal Kanta no.1 speakersNext spotlight: REVIEW: The LSA T-1 TurntablePlease note that all TONE and TONE related text and images are copyright \u00a9 2005\u20132021 TONE Magazine and The Audiophile Apartment. The RSS feed provided is for personal, non-commercial use only.If you are not reading this content in your news aggregator, RSS reader, or direct, then the site you are looking at may be guilty of copyright infringement. If you locate this anywhere, please contact jeff@tonepublications.com so we can take action immediately.Recent Reviews The Parasound JC 1+ Monoblocks The Vitus Audio SIA-25 Integrated The Luxman L-590AXII The Manley Snapper Monoblocks The Rega P10 Turntable and Apheta 3 Cartridge The Manley Mahi Monoblocks REVIEW: The Thrax Yatrus Turntable REVIEW: The Naim Uniti Star REVIEW \u2013 The FinkTeam Kim Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The Rega Kyte Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The LSA Warp 1 Power Amplifier REVIEW: Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply REVIEW: Eggleston Nico EVO The ZuAudio Omen Dirty Weekend The Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers REVIEW: Canton Chrono SL586.2DC REVIEW: The CAP REVIEW: The LSA T-1 Turntable REVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD The Focal Kanta no.1 speakers Core Power Equi=Core 1000 The Sonus faber Maxima Amator The McIntosh XRT2.1 K Speakers The McIntosh MC1502 Power AmplifierNewsletter:timberland boots Home Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Analogaholic Portfolio Subscribe Contact \u00a9 2021 TONE Magazine, LLC | All Rights reserved. | Site by BloodyMonster Web Solutions","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review - INTEK HI-FI","og_description":"Logo-harbeth-white-h120px Loudspeakers Where to buy User Group Contact usHarbeth C7ES-3 XD LoudspeakerPreviousNextThe icon of clarity and detailESSENTIAL NEUTRALITY AND NATURAL TONAL BALANCEAllow sensational music moments to come to life at the comfort of your home with the multi-award winning, medium-sized C7ES-3 XD loudspeaker. Acclaimed for its accurate three-dimensional sound, this speaker will impress even the most religious demands of an audiophile.The Harbeth secret for inducing accuracy and lifelike sound is the meticulous attention to detail during the design stage. Critically important, but hidden, is the crossover, which carefully integrates the drive units across a wider horizontal and vertical arc. Incremental changes to this fundamental component have allowed this legendary loudspeaker to present the most challenging instruments with increased presence and transparency. No other loudspeaker communicates the emotional power of the artists so eloquently.Technical specificationsTechnical Features200mm Harbeth RADIAL2\u2122 bass\/mid; 25mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeterFrequency response45Hz \u2013 20kHz, \u00b13dB free-space, grille on, smooth off-axis responseImpedance6 ohms, easy to driveSensitivity86dB\/2.83V\/1m axialAmplifier suggestionWorks with a wide range of amplifiers \u2013 suggested from 25W\/channelPower handling150W programme Dimensions520 x 272 x 305 mm(+12mm for grille and binding posts)ConnectorsTwo 4mm Harbeth branded binding posts Weight13.2kg each (without packing)Space needsOverall response optimised for use away from walls.StandsOptimally to bring ears level with tweeters. (Tweeter: 440mm up from cabinet base)PackingSingle speaker per protective carton Grille colourBlackWhere to buyUser guideTechnologyFinishesOur cabinets are handmade and feature the finest veneers. Please note that veneers vary in both colour, shade and grain structure, particularly our Tamo Ash veneer.*Not all finishes are available in all countriesCHERRYTAMO ASHC7ES-3 Walnut veneer example WALNUTSign up for our newsletterName*Email*The Harbeth User GroupThe meeting place for our friends and neighbours in Europe and from around the world bonded by the appreciation for natural sound. HUG explores sound reproduction from recording to the listening room \u2013 and many other aspects of related life. You\u2019re most welcome!Join hereAbout Harbeth An introduction The BBC Heritage Harbeth technology Making your speakers Harbeth in society After salesBlog Our designer's blog Videos News & EventsLoudspeakers P3ESR XD C7ES-3 XD SHL5plus XD M30.2 XD M40.3 XDSupport Contact us Find a retailer Product registration Support User guide AccessoriesFollow usFacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagramPinterestBritish Tinnitus Association \u00a9 All Rights ReservedHarbeth Audio Ltd., UKTerms & Conditions of Sale Website Terms of Use Warranty Terms & Conditions for the purchase of Goods TONEAudio MAGAZINEThe e-journal of analog and digital soundSkip to content Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Subscribe The Audiophile Apartment HA! Analogaholic Old School ReviewsREVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD Further On Down The RoadBy Jeff DorgayListening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track, \u201cWhere is the Love?\u201d its panoramic presentation plays to the strength of Harbeth\u2019s latest version of their ever popular Compact 7 monitor.Having owned the original and the anniversary version, the current \u201cXD\u201d series is the best yet \u2013 at least for most of us. If you\u2019re the person that always likes the original version of something, claiming all subsequent versions to not only be rubbish, but not \u201cthe real example,\u201d you might be a little put off by the extra resolution served up by this model. As they say in business school \u2013 \u201cyou\u2019re not the right customer.\u201dComparing these speakers to another British favorite, the Quad ESLs, the Harbeths reproduce so much music perfectly through the midband (a testament to owner Alan Shaw\u2019s loyalty to the BBC ethos and the RADIAL2\u2122 technology unique to Harbeth) you forget that they don\u2019t have enough resolution to kill flies at 20 paces, and low frequency extension to loosen your dental work. And that\u2019s just fine. Tracking through the Rolling Stones\u2019 \u201cI\u2019m Just Waiting on a Friend\u201d is absolutely lovely. Jagger and Richards\u2019 voices occupy their own personal space, with the background vocals slightly off in the distance, yet Charlie Watts drumming is anchored solidly, and you can follow every note in the bass line precisely. The Brits call this \u201cpace and timing.\u201d This is what will keep you in the listening chair all day \u2013 this lifelike quality that the Harbeths present.At first glance, $4,890 (in cherry, seen here and $5,190 for walnut or tamo ash) might seem a little spendy for a pair of Brit-Monitors, but the world economy, and shipping costs have been causing havoc for everyone, not just high-end audio manufacturers. These speakers are worth every bit of their price tag. Keep in mind, Harbeth speakers are still designed, and hand built in small batches in their UK factory.Easy set up and integrationHarbeth\u2019s Alan Shaw is a meticulous designer. I\u2019ve been to the factory, and I\u2019ve seen Shaw\u2019s volumes of notes. These speakers are not merely a result of picking a few drivers, building some cabinets, and off you go. Everything is deliberate, everything is measured, and triple checked. The end result is nothing short of stunning, and a side benefit to this is a house sound in the best way possible. As you move up the range, each speaker is optimized to not only deliver more music, but in increasingly bigger rooms as well. Though I\u2019ve been achieving great results in my larger 15 x 26-foot room (on the short wall), these speakers deliver an incredibly good balance of low frequency extension and upper bass\/midrange balance in a room about 13 x 18.The level of output and articulation the XDs produce will not have many people clamoring for subwoofers. Their rated sensitivity is 86db\/2.83v\/1m, but that doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. While this suggests a relatively inefficient speaker, Harbeths have always been incredibly easy to drive. They are equally easy to set up. Thanks to their wide dispersion characteristic, they don\u2019t need a lot of toe in to get the sound \u201cright.\u201dAs with every stand mount speaker we\u2019ve used, stand construction, interface between speaker and stand, and stand height is important. But again, there are a few trains of thought here. The C7s work well on low (approximately 18\u201d) medium (24\u201d) or high (28\u201d) stands. Some prefer them with minimal mass stands, while others like the weighted Sound Anchors, or something very similar. Your couch height and presentation preference will determine what your final setup will be. I have heard all three work. Our tests were all performed with 24\u201d filled Sound Anchor stands with blu-tack between the speakers and stands, or the 18\u201d filled stands that came with our Wharfedale Linton speakers. Harbeth suggests bringing tweeters to ear height for best results, and we concur.While some feel the Harbeth sound is slightly \u201cwooly,\u201d I submit that it\u2019s all about quality in the amplifier department. TONE has auditioned and\/or owned all of the past models except the Monitor 30, and that has never been our experience. Connected to a low power, low quality tube amplifier with no control, or current capability, the new Compact 7 will leave you wanting more, but taking the perspective that an excellent monitor will expose the weaknesses up the chain \u2013 that\u2019s what needs to be investigated.The new speaker is even more tube friendly than its predecessor, and when combined with the Octave V110SE, the PrimaLuna EVO400, or the new McIntosh MC1502, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Of course, our results with Luxman, Pass, Boulder, Parasound, and Nagra on the solid-state side of the fence are equally compelling. However, the little bit extra beauty achieved with the Nagra Classic Preamp and the McIntosh MC1502 is tough to ignore.Everything makes a differenceThis brings us to the improvements on the XD models. While this version of the C7ES makes use of the same driver compliment as the last model, incorporating a lot of what Harbeth learned in terms of cabinet refinement and improved components in the crossover network has allowed these drivers to deliver even more performance. Shaw claims he\u2019s \u201cflattened out the small lumps and bumps in the frequency response by using custom made resistors, coils and capacitors. So the overall sound is better integrated bass\/mid\/top.\u201dThe current model has all the magic, friendliness, and vocal\/midrange accuracy that we\u2019ve always enjoyed from Harbeth in the past, but with increased clarity \u2013 all the way through the range. I can\u2019t claim to remember the minute details of the last version, so I borrowed a pair for some real side by side evaluation.Unless you have canine hearing and photographic memory, enough of the Harbeth sound carries through both new and past generation, that after listening to the new ones for a while, you want to stay there. Yet if you switch back to the old ones, you\u2019ll instantly notice a little less depth, a little less sparkle on top and a bit less slam on the bottom, but after about an hour, the smile returns to your face. The most OCD of you might have to trade up. Yet, for the rest of you the current version will be an excellent choice compared to something else you might have been considering.Back to the coreThese speakers never sound harsh, forward, or fatiguing. Again, so much of whether a pair of these are for you will depend on what music you listen to, and how you listen to it. If you don\u2019t listen to the heaviest of rock music, or the punchiest electronica at punishing levels, you\u2019ll be surprised at just how much the current Harbeths can handle. Even when listening to things like Led Zeppelin, TOOL, or The Foo Fighters at less than brain damage levels is very rewarding. Tracking through an old favorite, Bruce Springsteen\u2019s Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ not only follows the dynamic swings, but reveals the nuances of Springsteen\u2019s voice and acoustic guitar in a way few speakers can. Again, this is what keeps you in the listening chair for hours on end. Mixing it up for some bass heavy tracks again confirms that there is more than enough of the fundamentals to get a solid musical experience.Where a smaller monitor like the LS3\/5A or Harbeth\u2019s own P3ESR (which we\u2019ve also reviewed) often seems like it just won\u2019t play big enough, in the sense that the sonic image created in anything but the smallest of rooms is smaller than life, the C7 is just right. To counter this, there are times that the Quads produce an image that is overblown, though not to the extent that a pair of Magnepans does.The C7s, properly set up with a bit of space between them (when the stereo image collapses to two individual mono speakers, you\u2019ve gone too far in your quest) creates a sonic landscape that feels believable. In addition to the vocalists and instruments sounding natural, and realistic, the size and spatial relationships sound right. If you\u2019ve ever heard a solo vocalist or small ensemble perform in a modest sized room, you know what we mean. The same thing goes for acoustic instruments. The more time you spend in the listening chair with Harbeth\u2019s latest, the easier it is to immerse yourself in the music being played.The current version of the C7 looks like past models, but the new speaker is finished to a higher standard than Harbeth\u2019s past. It\u2019s smoother, less raw. The only complaint to make here, is that the wood used feels a little bit softer than past models, so handle them with the utmost care. But the new, satin-y finish is gorgeous, and maybe I\u2019m psyching myself out, but the level of care used in past models at the joints and such feels even more meticulously executed.They might just be the grail you\u2019ve been seekingWe can go on and on about this track and that, but these speakers need to be experienced at a deeper level than you might get from a quick dealer demo or a cursory listen at a hifi show. Harbeth always makes a good showing in this context to be sure, but this new, XD version of the C7 begs a long listen \u2013 the equivalent of a road trip. The more time you can put in your listening chair with a pair, the more I suspect you will enjoy them.With the cost to participate in a \u201chigh-end\u201d audio system ever increasing, along with the complexity and the myriad choices at your disposal, it\u2019s easy to lose your way. The past versions of Harbeth\u2019s C7 have always been Exceptional Value Award winners. The current speaker is better in every way, and even though the price is higher than when we first heard a pair about 15 years ago, they still represent tremendous value and performance. I\u2019m also purchasing the review pair. These will become my benchmark to review realistically priced components. These are still worthy of our Exceptional Value Award for 2021.If you happen to be someone that finds your joy in the music a lot more than you do in endless gear swapping and the upgrade path, your journey could end right here. The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD does so much right and nothing wrong. It doesn\u2019t get a lot better than that.Harbeth.co.uk (factory)Fidelisdistribution.com (US Distributor)603-880-4434PeripheralsDigital Source dCS Vivaldi ONEAnalog Source Nagra Classic Phono, AVID Volvere SP, SME 309, Eminent Hyper EXPreamplifier Nagra Classic PreampAmplifier McIntosh MC1502Cable Cardas Clear, Tellurium Q Black DiamondTweetPrevious spotlight: The Focal Kanta no.1 speakersNext spotlight: REVIEW: The LSA T-1 TurntablePlease note that all TONE and TONE related text and images are copyright \u00a9 2005\u20132021 TONE Magazine and The Audiophile Apartment. The RSS feed provided is for personal, non-commercial use only.If you are not reading this content in your news aggregator, RSS reader, or direct, then the site you are looking at may be guilty of copyright infringement. If you locate this anywhere, please contact jeff@tonepublications.com so we can take action immediately.Recent Reviews The Parasound JC 1+ Monoblocks The Vitus Audio SIA-25 Integrated The Luxman L-590AXII The Manley Snapper Monoblocks The Rega P10 Turntable and Apheta 3 Cartridge The Manley Mahi Monoblocks REVIEW: The Thrax Yatrus Turntable REVIEW: The Naim Uniti Star REVIEW \u2013 The FinkTeam Kim Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The Rega Kyte Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The LSA Warp 1 Power Amplifier REVIEW: Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply REVIEW: Eggleston Nico EVO The ZuAudio Omen Dirty Weekend The Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers REVIEW: Canton Chrono SL586.2DC REVIEW: The CAP REVIEW: The LSA T-1 Turntable REVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD The Focal Kanta no.1 speakers Core Power Equi=Core 1000 The Sonus faber Maxima Amator The McIntosh XRT2.1 K Speakers The McIntosh MC1502 Power AmplifierNewsletter:timberland boots Home Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Analogaholic Portfolio Subscribe Contact \u00a9 2021 TONE Magazine, LLC | All Rights reserved. | Site by BloodyMonster Web Solutions","og_url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/","og_site_name":"INTEK HI-FI","article_published_time":"2021-10-12T18:21:47+00:00","article_modified_time":"2021-10-16T14:09:15+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"darko","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/","name":"INTEK HI-FI","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720-1.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"caption":"Harbeth-C7ES-3-XD-1280x720"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/","name":"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review - INTEK HI-FI","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2021-10-12T18:21:47+00:00","dateModified":"2021-10-16T14:09:15+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7"},"description":"Logo-harbeth-white-h120px Loudspeakers Where to buy User Group Contact usHarbeth C7ES-3 XD LoudspeakerPreviousNextThe icon of clarity and detailESSENTIAL NEUTRALITY AND NATURAL TONAL BALANCEAllow sensational music moments to come to life at the comfort of your home with the multi-award winning, medium-sized C7ES-3 XD loudspeaker. Acclaimed for its accurate three-dimensional sound, this speaker will impress even the most religious demands of an audiophile.The Harbeth secret for inducing accuracy and lifelike sound is the meticulous attention to detail during the design stage. Critically important, but hidden, is the crossover, which carefully integrates the drive units across a wider horizontal and vertical arc. Incremental changes to this fundamental component have allowed this legendary loudspeaker to present the most challenging instruments with increased presence and transparency. No other loudspeaker communicates the emotional power of the artists so eloquently.Technical specificationsTechnical Features200mm Harbeth RADIAL2\u2122 bass\/mid; 25mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeterFrequency response45Hz \u2013 20kHz, \u00b13dB free-space, grille on, smooth off-axis responseImpedance6 ohms, easy to driveSensitivity86dB\/2.83V\/1m axialAmplifier suggestionWorks with a wide range of amplifiers \u2013 suggested from 25W\/channelPower handling150W programme Dimensions520 x 272 x 305 mm(+12mm for grille and binding posts)ConnectorsTwo 4mm Harbeth branded binding posts Weight13.2kg each (without packing)Space needsOverall response optimised for use away from walls.StandsOptimally to bring ears level with tweeters. (Tweeter: 440mm up from cabinet base)PackingSingle speaker per protective carton Grille colourBlackWhere to buyUser guideTechnologyFinishesOur cabinets are handmade and feature the finest veneers. Please note that veneers vary in both colour, shade and grain structure, particularly our Tamo Ash veneer.*Not all finishes are available in all countriesCHERRYTAMO ASHC7ES-3 Walnut veneer example WALNUTSign up for our newsletterName*Email*The Harbeth User GroupThe meeting place for our friends and neighbours in Europe and from around the world bonded by the appreciation for natural sound. HUG explores sound reproduction from recording to the listening room \u2013 and many other aspects of related life. You\u2019re most welcome!Join hereAbout Harbeth An introduction The BBC Heritage Harbeth technology Making your speakers Harbeth in society After salesBlog Our designer's blog Videos News & EventsLoudspeakers P3ESR XD C7ES-3 XD SHL5plus XD M30.2 XD M40.3 XDSupport Contact us Find a retailer Product registration Support User guide AccessoriesFollow usFacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagramPinterestBritish Tinnitus Association \u00a9 All Rights ReservedHarbeth Audio Ltd., UKTerms & Conditions of Sale Website Terms of Use Warranty Terms & Conditions for the purchase of Goods TONEAudio MAGAZINEThe e-journal of analog and digital soundSkip to content Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Subscribe The Audiophile Apartment HA! Analogaholic Old School ReviewsREVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD Further On Down The RoadBy Jeff DorgayListening to the gentle interplay of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on their classic track, \u201cWhere is the Love?\u201d its panoramic presentation plays to the strength of Harbeth\u2019s latest version of their ever popular Compact 7 monitor.Having owned the original and the anniversary version, the current \u201cXD\u201d series is the best yet \u2013 at least for most of us. If you\u2019re the person that always likes the original version of something, claiming all subsequent versions to not only be rubbish, but not \u201cthe real example,\u201d you might be a little put off by the extra resolution served up by this model. As they say in business school \u2013 \u201cyou\u2019re not the right customer.\u201dComparing these speakers to another British favorite, the Quad ESLs, the Harbeths reproduce so much music perfectly through the midband (a testament to owner Alan Shaw\u2019s loyalty to the BBC ethos and the RADIAL2\u2122 technology unique to Harbeth) you forget that they don\u2019t have enough resolution to kill flies at 20 paces, and low frequency extension to loosen your dental work. And that\u2019s just fine. Tracking through the Rolling Stones\u2019 \u201cI\u2019m Just Waiting on a Friend\u201d is absolutely lovely. Jagger and Richards\u2019 voices occupy their own personal space, with the background vocals slightly off in the distance, yet Charlie Watts drumming is anchored solidly, and you can follow every note in the bass line precisely. The Brits call this \u201cpace and timing.\u201d This is what will keep you in the listening chair all day \u2013 this lifelike quality that the Harbeths present.At first glance, $4,890 (in cherry, seen here and $5,190 for walnut or tamo ash) might seem a little spendy for a pair of Brit-Monitors, but the world economy, and shipping costs have been causing havoc for everyone, not just high-end audio manufacturers. These speakers are worth every bit of their price tag. Keep in mind, Harbeth speakers are still designed, and hand built in small batches in their UK factory.Easy set up and integrationHarbeth\u2019s Alan Shaw is a meticulous designer. I\u2019ve been to the factory, and I\u2019ve seen Shaw\u2019s volumes of notes. These speakers are not merely a result of picking a few drivers, building some cabinets, and off you go. Everything is deliberate, everything is measured, and triple checked. The end result is nothing short of stunning, and a side benefit to this is a house sound in the best way possible. As you move up the range, each speaker is optimized to not only deliver more music, but in increasingly bigger rooms as well. Though I\u2019ve been achieving great results in my larger 15 x 26-foot room (on the short wall), these speakers deliver an incredibly good balance of low frequency extension and upper bass\/midrange balance in a room about 13 x 18.The level of output and articulation the XDs produce will not have many people clamoring for subwoofers. Their rated sensitivity is 86db\/2.83v\/1m, but that doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. While this suggests a relatively inefficient speaker, Harbeths have always been incredibly easy to drive. They are equally easy to set up. Thanks to their wide dispersion characteristic, they don\u2019t need a lot of toe in to get the sound \u201cright.\u201dAs with every stand mount speaker we\u2019ve used, stand construction, interface between speaker and stand, and stand height is important. But again, there are a few trains of thought here. The C7s work well on low (approximately 18\u201d) medium (24\u201d) or high (28\u201d) stands. Some prefer them with minimal mass stands, while others like the weighted Sound Anchors, or something very similar. Your couch height and presentation preference will determine what your final setup will be. I have heard all three work. Our tests were all performed with 24\u201d filled Sound Anchor stands with blu-tack between the speakers and stands, or the 18\u201d filled stands that came with our Wharfedale Linton speakers. Harbeth suggests bringing tweeters to ear height for best results, and we concur.While some feel the Harbeth sound is slightly \u201cwooly,\u201d I submit that it\u2019s all about quality in the amplifier department. TONE has auditioned and\/or owned all of the past models except the Monitor 30, and that has never been our experience. Connected to a low power, low quality tube amplifier with no control, or current capability, the new Compact 7 will leave you wanting more, but taking the perspective that an excellent monitor will expose the weaknesses up the chain \u2013 that\u2019s what needs to be investigated.The new speaker is even more tube friendly than its predecessor, and when combined with the Octave V110SE, the PrimaLuna EVO400, or the new McIntosh MC1502, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Of course, our results with Luxman, Pass, Boulder, Parasound, and Nagra on the solid-state side of the fence are equally compelling. However, the little bit extra beauty achieved with the Nagra Classic Preamp and the McIntosh MC1502 is tough to ignore.Everything makes a differenceThis brings us to the improvements on the XD models. While this version of the C7ES makes use of the same driver compliment as the last model, incorporating a lot of what Harbeth learned in terms of cabinet refinement and improved components in the crossover network has allowed these drivers to deliver even more performance. Shaw claims he\u2019s \u201cflattened out the small lumps and bumps in the frequency response by using custom made resistors, coils and capacitors. So the overall sound is better integrated bass\/mid\/top.\u201dThe current model has all the magic, friendliness, and vocal\/midrange accuracy that we\u2019ve always enjoyed from Harbeth in the past, but with increased clarity \u2013 all the way through the range. I can\u2019t claim to remember the minute details of the last version, so I borrowed a pair for some real side by side evaluation.Unless you have canine hearing and photographic memory, enough of the Harbeth sound carries through both new and past generation, that after listening to the new ones for a while, you want to stay there. Yet if you switch back to the old ones, you\u2019ll instantly notice a little less depth, a little less sparkle on top and a bit less slam on the bottom, but after about an hour, the smile returns to your face. The most OCD of you might have to trade up. Yet, for the rest of you the current version will be an excellent choice compared to something else you might have been considering.Back to the coreThese speakers never sound harsh, forward, or fatiguing. Again, so much of whether a pair of these are for you will depend on what music you listen to, and how you listen to it. If you don\u2019t listen to the heaviest of rock music, or the punchiest electronica at punishing levels, you\u2019ll be surprised at just how much the current Harbeths can handle. Even when listening to things like Led Zeppelin, TOOL, or The Foo Fighters at less than brain damage levels is very rewarding. Tracking through an old favorite, Bruce Springsteen\u2019s Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ not only follows the dynamic swings, but reveals the nuances of Springsteen\u2019s voice and acoustic guitar in a way few speakers can. Again, this is what keeps you in the listening chair for hours on end. Mixing it up for some bass heavy tracks again confirms that there is more than enough of the fundamentals to get a solid musical experience.Where a smaller monitor like the LS3\/5A or Harbeth\u2019s own P3ESR (which we\u2019ve also reviewed) often seems like it just won\u2019t play big enough, in the sense that the sonic image created in anything but the smallest of rooms is smaller than life, the C7 is just right. To counter this, there are times that the Quads produce an image that is overblown, though not to the extent that a pair of Magnepans does.The C7s, properly set up with a bit of space between them (when the stereo image collapses to two individual mono speakers, you\u2019ve gone too far in your quest) creates a sonic landscape that feels believable. In addition to the vocalists and instruments sounding natural, and realistic, the size and spatial relationships sound right. If you\u2019ve ever heard a solo vocalist or small ensemble perform in a modest sized room, you know what we mean. The same thing goes for acoustic instruments. The more time you spend in the listening chair with Harbeth\u2019s latest, the easier it is to immerse yourself in the music being played.The current version of the C7 looks like past models, but the new speaker is finished to a higher standard than Harbeth\u2019s past. It\u2019s smoother, less raw. The only complaint to make here, is that the wood used feels a little bit softer than past models, so handle them with the utmost care. But the new, satin-y finish is gorgeous, and maybe I\u2019m psyching myself out, but the level of care used in past models at the joints and such feels even more meticulously executed.They might just be the grail you\u2019ve been seekingWe can go on and on about this track and that, but these speakers need to be experienced at a deeper level than you might get from a quick dealer demo or a cursory listen at a hifi show. Harbeth always makes a good showing in this context to be sure, but this new, XD version of the C7 begs a long listen \u2013 the equivalent of a road trip. The more time you can put in your listening chair with a pair, the more I suspect you will enjoy them.With the cost to participate in a \u201chigh-end\u201d audio system ever increasing, along with the complexity and the myriad choices at your disposal, it\u2019s easy to lose your way. The past versions of Harbeth\u2019s C7 have always been Exceptional Value Award winners. The current speaker is better in every way, and even though the price is higher than when we first heard a pair about 15 years ago, they still represent tremendous value and performance. I\u2019m also purchasing the review pair. These will become my benchmark to review realistically priced components. These are still worthy of our Exceptional Value Award for 2021.If you happen to be someone that finds your joy in the music a lot more than you do in endless gear swapping and the upgrade path, your journey could end right here. The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD does so much right and nothing wrong. It doesn\u2019t get a lot better than that.Harbeth.co.uk (factory)Fidelisdistribution.com (US Distributor)603-880-4434PeripheralsDigital Source dCS Vivaldi ONEAnalog Source Nagra Classic Phono, AVID Volvere SP, SME 309, Eminent Hyper EXPreamplifier Nagra Classic PreampAmplifier McIntosh MC1502Cable Cardas Clear, Tellurium Q Black DiamondTweetPrevious spotlight: The Focal Kanta no.1 speakersNext spotlight: REVIEW: The LSA T-1 TurntablePlease note that all TONE and TONE related text and images are copyright \u00a9 2005\u20132021 TONE Magazine and The Audiophile Apartment. The RSS feed provided is for personal, non-commercial use only.If you are not reading this content in your news aggregator, RSS reader, or direct, then the site you are looking at may be guilty of copyright infringement. If you locate this anywhere, please contact jeff@tonepublications.com so we can take action immediately.Recent Reviews The Parasound JC 1+ Monoblocks The Vitus Audio SIA-25 Integrated The Luxman L-590AXII The Manley Snapper Monoblocks The Rega P10 Turntable and Apheta 3 Cartridge The Manley Mahi Monoblocks REVIEW: The Thrax Yatrus Turntable REVIEW: The Naim Uniti Star REVIEW \u2013 The FinkTeam Kim Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The Rega Kyte Speakers REVIEW \u2013 The LSA Warp 1 Power Amplifier REVIEW: Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply REVIEW: Eggleston Nico EVO The ZuAudio Omen Dirty Weekend The Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers REVIEW: Canton Chrono SL586.2DC REVIEW: The CAP REVIEW: The LSA T-1 Turntable REVIEW: Harbeth C7ES-3 XD The Focal Kanta no.1 speakers Core Power Equi=Core 1000 The Sonus faber Maxima Amator The McIntosh XRT2.1 K Speakers The McIntosh MC1502 Power AmplifierNewsletter:timberland boots Home Music Reviews Mine News Blog Magazine Staff Analogaholic Portfolio Subscribe Contact \u00a9 2021 TONE Magazine, LLC | All Rights reserved. | Site by BloodyMonster Web Solutions","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/harbeth-c7es-3-xd-tone-audio-review\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"HARBETH C7ES-3 XD > Tone Audio review"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7","name":"darko","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"darko"},"url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/author\/darko\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24651"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24651"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24652,"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24651\/revisions\/24652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}