Harbeth C7ES vs Maggie 1.6 QR

Jtinn thank you for taking the time to respond.

I know the Maggies have terrific soundstage and a very cohesive sound but I sometimes wish they had more air and I also think their midrange is a little lightweight. Actually I think Jonathon Valin's review of the 1.6s is spot on: The Maggies 1.6s have a little extra bass, a small suckout near the crossover range, a little blare in the upper mids and are slightly soft in the high end.

I recently heard a pair of 1.6s compared with a pair of ProAc Studio 125s and (even though the Maggies had not been broken in) in some ways the Studios were better with a more immediate and dynamic sound. I noted the smaller soundstage but the Studios conveyed a nice sense of emotion where the Maggies just kind of sat there. I know this is a slam on Maggies, and after all they were not broken in, but I have noticed this same thing in my home system.

I am under the impression the Harbeths are better than the ProAcs and again are a very good match with the 8200 so I ask:

what can I expect with a pair of Harbeths?

thanks prdprez, for a very helpful response, especially the part about the Harbeths having the 'inviting' midrange.

I am surprised you say the Harbeth is about the same as the Maggie in the high end as far as being open and detailed. I expected the Harbeths to have more 'air' and better detail in the midrange too.

I know what I am doing as far as getting away from the planar design. If the Harbeths are even in the ballpark as far as retaining most of the virtues of the Maggies I think I would be happy.

thanks again

Phil

Hififile,

Thanks for a thoughtful response, I know the Maggies are a well rounded speaker and maybe I will learn the hard way. I do like the way the Maggies do not get in the way of the music. I just do not think of them much just whatever is playing, it just always sounds like it is in the next room or somehow lifeless.

Eldartford,

Not a bad idea. Maybe after years with planar speakers, from Quad ESL 57s to my 1.6s, I want more dynamics and just want to experience something different.

Well guys I thought about the Harbeths but saw a good deal on some Reynaud Trentes and replaced my 1.6s with them. I am very happy as they are quite a bit more detailed and have better tone.

I do not even think about the box vs planar thing as these throw an amazing soundstage, quite a bit deeper than the Maggies and with finer placement of instruments etc.

But where these really are better is in the midrange - the tones are beautiful and integrate with the bass and high end really well. The bass is very articulate and again the tone is great. The high end is extremely detailed and has a beautiful 'shimmer' to cymbols etc. I think the Listener review is right about the feeling there is a person in the room playing the music, you forget about the stereo - no kidding these are the real McCoys.

I think the only areas where the Maggies beat the Reynauds are they play louder and the bass goes lower and they have a bigger image.

thaks again to all who responded

Phil