Harbeth Audio P3ESR XD Loudspeaker
If you’re a passionate audiophile, a fan of social media, on a fixed budget, and haven’t been totally bunkered down and switched off over the past few years, you couldn’t help be inundated with tweets, Instagrams and videos on YouTube about what I call the ‘audiophile darlings’ of social media—NAD, Denafrips, Cambridge Audio, Linn, ELAC, iFi Audio, KEF and the subject of this darling review, Harbeth Audio.
Shipping, supply chain and computer chip problems aside, the companies above and others have been fabulously successful the past few years selling truckloads of kit, keeping the distributors and dealers very happy but pissing off lots of prospective punters because their favourites are on continual back order (Audio Technica had over 17,000 turntables on back order at one time during the pandemic). I’m hearing some manufacturers are limiting production because of worker shortage. ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...’
For once, in this era of manicured PR, the excitement about those mentioned above is bang on because of excellence in sound and cool design on budget friendly components that deliver big on audiophile needs. Our team owns many components from the list, we’ve reviewed lots, and heard from very happy customers. In other news, maybe the endless gripes about audiophile pricing can calm the hell down? Trust your own ears, buy what you can afford and be happy.
Here’s the top darling, the relatively inexpensive Harbeth Audio P3ESR XD Loudspeaker ($3290/pair in cherry); add $200 for Walnut, Olive Ash and Rosewood (see lead photo). They are also available in special order Satin Black for an extra $200 (photo below). Please contact your local dealer for Satin Black availability. Harbeth does not make its own stands, but the distributor recommends the TT-Stand P3 from TonTräger at $1550/pair as the preferred support (more on the stands below).
I’d like to thank Fidelis Distribution, specifically, Walter Swanbon and Nancy Weiner, for shipping the speakers and stands to the island.
The P3ESR XD with and without grilles.
My Use
Harbeth is one of the rare high end speaker companies that suggests the speakers sound better with grilles in place. In fact, without the use of strong magnets, it’s well nigh impossible to remove the grilles.
Harbeth is very particular about grilles on and stand height/material. As such, I reviewed them as intended—grilles in place and used the TonTräger stands with tweeters at ear level. I broke in the speakers for 100 hours with my XLO burn in CD on repeat. The speakers will continue to improve up to 200 hours.
Unlike some recent very heavy boxes at the office, the light Harbeths and stands were not particularly troublesome. One person can manage the job easily (please watch our unboxing video).
I used the XLO CD for speaker placement. The track suggested exactly where to put them and where most bookshelf speakers work in my small room. 18” from back and side walls, 10 degree toe in, and about 10 feet from the listening position. Swanbon and I had a very pleasant conversation where he detailed the Harbeth’s preferences in positioning; he suggested close to the rear corners for a better bass response was a good idea. I know that my positioning uncovered bass I felt went below the spec sheet of 75Hz, and with both character and accuracy. As always, take your time when positioning and have some fun.
Fidelis kindly shipped the TonTräger stands. They are not cheap at $1550 (hand made, classic wooden joinery, specific wood treatments, etc). The TT-Stand P3s have 4 extended tenons atop on which to rest the speaker and four on the bottom for support. These tenons offer a few advantages over other stand designs. Because of the original BBC thin wall inspiration for the cabinet, its intended resonance is but one of the reasons the sound can be so captivating. The upper tenons, and specifically the small oval hollow ‘Tone Beds’ on top of the tenons, support the speaker the way the design intended while preventing unnecessary vibration. TonTräger suggests using a slate support on which to rest the stands. Audiophilia’s Michael Johnson had some success with the use of IsoAcoustics Gaia isolation footers with his set of purpose built stands under his Harbeth Audio M30.2 XD Loudspeakers (he purchased the speakers after the review published). I reviewed my Harbeths with the TonTräger stands resting on my area rug (photo below).
Controlling the Harbeths were my MBL N31 and N51, Allnic Audio H-7000 Phono Stage, Nordost Valhalla 2 Cables and Bergmann Magne Turntable. Maybe a little overkill for $3290/pair loudspeakers, but the Harbeths play well above their MSRP and with attributes distinctive to high end audio.
Features & Specifications
Drivers: 110mm Harbeth RADIAL2™ bass/mid; 19mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeter
Frequency response: 75Hz – 20kHz
Impedance: 6 ohms
Sensitivity: 83dB
Power handling: 50W programme
Dimensions: 306 x 190 x 184 mm
Connectors: Two 4mm Harbeth binding posts
Weight: 6.1kg each (without packing)
‘Handmade in England. Loved Everywhere’. And, it’s trademarked! Notice the ‘L’? As such, the speakers are left/right designated.
Sound
The numbers reveal a not especially efficient box with less than optimal bass response, the latter typical of many bookshelf speakers. The higher bass frequency number no doubt due to its sealed enclosure. My stand mount reference BØRRESEN Acoustics 01 Silver Supreme Edition Loudspeakers use ‘portvanes’ on their small ports and go down clean to a very conservative 50 Hz (more like 45) and my Alta Audio FRM-2Ms (also stand mounts), with the help of a clever, truncated transmission line and port, an amazing 29 Hz. So, why do these unported, relatively unassuming mini monitors from England sound so complete, so musical and so inviting?
I have no doubt part of the aural allure is Harbeth’s RADIAL2™ bass/mid driver and its clever integration with the tweeter, not forgetting Harbeth founder H.D. Harwood’s original BBC design philosophy. Harwood was Head of BBC Loudspeaker Development through the 1960s and 1970s.
Harbeth says: The completed redesign maximises the performance potential of the Harbeth exclusive 110mm RADIAL2™ Cone Technology – delivering breathtaking transparency, accurate bass and dynamic integration across the audio spectrum.
Arguably one of the most advanced speakers in its class, the P3ESR XD is capable of being used in a wide range of listening environments and is optimised to present an easy electrical load to even low powered amplifiers.
From my research on their site, ‘XD’ stands for ‘eXtended Definition’. This is the add on to the name of each of the new updated speakers in the line.
Harbeth is proud to advertise the ‘use anywhere’ adaptability of the speaker. As such, I’m guessing the P3ESR would be the dream desktop loudspeaker, taking convenience with superior sound to the nth degree. But there’s no doubt situated in a well treated room of appropriate size on the suggested stands is the way to go. I’d say the quality and adaptability of these bookshelf beauties would make the ideal entry level high end loudspeaker for budding audiophiles with catholic musical tastes who save a little and want to take a serious step forward in building a quality system. I know many companies attempt to manufacture such a speaker but I’ve not heard one in the size and at the price of the P3ESR XD that matches it for refined, musically immersive sound. They are a remarkable value. Also, their superior fit and finish belies their $3290/pair MSRP.
In my recent orbit, I’ve really enjoyed budget friendly monitors from Totem Acoustic (Sky) and a couple of over achieving knockouts, the Audioengine HDP6 Speakers (both passive and powered). Admirable as they were (all cheaper than the Harbeths), nothing I heard from them and others in the MSRP ballpark can match the unique musical qualities the Harbeths bring to the table.
Simple, unported, sealed box. Small, elegant, easy to position.
Let’s talk about the bass. The 75 Hz number gives no hint as to the effective and impactful bass you will hear from the speakers. It's not earth crushing, pressurizing bass, but it is beautifully defined. So, bass drums and resonant low brass sound timbrally accurate and are imaged well. This goes a long way to giving a satisfying overall musical picture with no tricks like mid bass humps, etc. What you’ll hear is more than satisfying for most repertoire. In fact, playing some break in music right out of the box, I registered real surprise at the voluminous, balanced and quality sound.
Late in the review, what I enjoyed most about the P3s was the ‘completeness’ they brought to music of all kinds. Whether a Beethoven symphony, a Strauss tone poem, solo piano, chamber music, intimate jazz vocals or straight ahead rock music, the Harbeth’s design gave a warm embrace to the musical intentions of the artists and engineers.
So, when choosing contenders for our latest Streaming the Classics/Symphonia Domestica, the Harbeths made my choices easy because of their musicality and ability portraying realistic instrumental timbre. While not giving a total audiophile picture—you’ll have to spend a lot for that elusive totality—they filled in Strauss’ melody, harmony and counterpoint giving each recording a valuable sum of the parts. Soundstage was good, imaging even better. What (a lot) more money brings is more detail, more precision in imaging and soundstage and a clarity of timbre and musical intent which, in my reference’s case, can be frighteningly real. But, at what cost? The Borresens are $55,000/pair plus stands!
Summary
Even with the obvious attractions of the speakers, I still wondered why all the internet adulation. Well, consider the audience. First, the price and lineage are as attractive as the box. Many prospective buyers will be younger, hip to social media, and want highly regarded audiophile gear they can actually afford. Or, at least save for. Many great audiophile products we review in Audiophilia are end of journey, aspirational components. Many years of collecting, saving, selling, trading up, etc. Actual young folks, passionate audiophiles, are thrilled they can get their foot in the door with quality products like the Harbeth Audio P3ESR XD. As such, in my late twenties, when I could manage the ProAc Tablettes (not even Signatures), I was excited for weeks about my high end purchase. However, if the choice was today, Harbeth would be receiving my cheque. Very highly recommended and about the best bargain in high end audio.
Further information: Harbeth Audio
