Harbeth now with active version

[Purité Audio]

XLRs can be digital or analogue, the D&D8Cs for example their input is switchable although the XLR connection remains the same.
Keith

 

[classicaloracle]

XLRs can be digital or analogue, the D&D8Cs for example their input is switchable although the XLR connection remains the same.
Keith

I'm not 100% certain on the switching but the lack of input options certainly appear to exclude ideal connections to the latest low-cost streaming devices which will not have any form of XLR. But for that I would be a very interested customer. An important aspect in the choice of actives for me is the minimising of boxes and cables. Until Apple and Google discontinued their AirPort Express and Chormecast Audio units legacy and active speaker owners were given an excellent cost-effective way of achieving superb sound with good aesthetics. I had hoped that future developments in active loudspeakers would embrace the successors to these products.

 

[Purité Audio]

Relatively inexpensive streamers are available with XLR connections and many contemporary actives already have ‘wireless‘ connectivity built in, the whole system would be your device Phone/ipad etc and the speakers.
Keith

 

[classicaloracle]

Relatively inexpensive streamers are available with XLR connections and many contemporary actives already have ‘wireless‘ connectivity built in, the whole system would be your device Phone/ipad etc and the speakers.
Keith

Well, yes! I have been enjoying this means of playback for some years now.

2 things however: -
1. Depending on what consumers call 'inexpensive', streaming devices, like Smart TVs may become quickly outdated and not supplied with firmware or other updates.
2. Wireless connectivity built into speakers seems to me to be another long-term issue as technologies develop and improve.

Far better to use an inexpensive, independent streaming device that can be replaced every few years, much like an Apple TV. I don't think many mass-market devices of this type come with XLR and similarly I don't think users need to spend much more than £200 on a streaming box since excellent sound quality was obtainable from these devices once DAC quality had become cheaply obtainable.

I am very aware that the audiophile market has its own self-interest and will do what it can to knock down such talk but I think the science tells a different story.

 

[CapMan]

The NLE1 is analogue in only I believe. It's alot of money for a small active with limited bass extension, 2x50W, no digital inputs, no native room correction and no native subwoofer integration (which will certainly be needed). I don't see any of the usual dip switches for bass / treble adjustment... could be wrong though.

I'm sure it will sell to the faithful because retail dealers will not stock Neumann or Genelec ...

 

[CapMan]

Link to product page - £3K - no waveguide on the production product

Tech specs are a little sketchy

NLE-1

The Nelson bass extender + stand solution delivers intense bass performance for mini monitors without compromising space.

harbeth.co.uk

 

[thewas]

Those deep edges around the tweeter instead of the waveguide on the prototype will cause significant edge diffraction.

 

[CapMan]

Those deep edges around the tweeter instead of the waveguide on the prototype will cause significant edge diffraction.

It's a missed opportunity for sure

 

[ahofer]

Incidentally, my post on HUG to this effect was deleted by the moderator

My experience is that it is not a free speech zone. Try bringing up dispersion measurement.

 

[CapMan]

My experience is that it is not a free speech zone. Try bringing up dispersion measurement.

I have always valued the largely objective nature and ethos on the HUG. Ultimately it is a manufacturer moderated forum so contributors need to colour inside the lines so to speak!

I sense alot of pride over at Harbeth HQ at what they have achieved in this little speaker. I would not spend my own money on one, but fair play to them for creating something completely new in their product line. It's no easy feat to bring a product to market.

 

[ahofer]

I have always valued the largely objective nature and ethos on the HUG. Ultimately it is a manufacturer moderated forum so contributors need to colour inside the lines so to speak!

I sense alot of pride over at Harbeth HQ at what they have achieved in this little speaker. I would not spend my own money on one, but fair play to them for creating something completely new in their product line. It's no easy feat to bring a product to market.

I too value the (mostly) objective tone - until it starts to be commercially harmful. See this odd conversation I had with him. There, I think he's taking the p when he says "almost certainly coloration". He has no scientific basis for saying that and is being intentionally vague about what "coloration" is.

PS - I own and enjoy Harbeths (SHL5+AE), but, unlike T. Shaw, I don't have to intentionally fog up discussions to appease the magical thinking part of my fan base. Well, I don't have a fan base at all!

added later: I think the prices are waaay out of hand now as well.

 

[Purité Audio]

How much are the small Harbeth actives, because I am sure I read somewhere that their three way model was going to retail for £46k?
Which seems a little on the high side for a three way active.
Keith

 

[CapMan]

How much are the small Harbeth actives, because I am sure I read somewhere that their three way model was going to retail for £46k?
Which seems a little on the high side for a three way active.
Keith

£3K in the UK.

 

[CapMan]

added later: I think the prices are waaay out of hand now as well.

Yep I agree - £2.7K for P3s....

 

[Purité Audio]

£3K in the UK.

£3k a pair sounds reasonable so why the £43k hike for the three way?
Keith

 

[montyliam]

I'm really struggling to understand the design choices behind the NLE-1. Why is the tweeter inset behind that truncated face plate? Surely that is going to cause horrendous diffraction issues?

 

[CapMan]

£3k a pair sounds reasonable

 

[sergeauckland]

I'm not 100% certain on the switching but the lack of input options certainly appear to exclude ideal connections to the latest low-cost streaming devices which will not have any form of XLR. But for that I would be a very interested customer. An important aspect in the choice of actives for me is the minimising of boxes and cables. Until Apple and Google discontinued their AirPort Express and Chormecast Audio units legacy and active speaker owners were given an excellent cost-effective way of achieving superb sound with good aesthetics. I had hoped that future developments in active loudspeakers would embrace the successors to these products.

Bear in mind that an XLR digital input will happily accept an unbalanced S-PDIF signal from a streamer. The audio data is identical, and the voltage levels are acceptably within range, even if different. Just use an RCA to XLR adapter and any 75ohm unbalanced cable over normal domestic lengths.

S

 

[Doenerkunde]

Link to product page - £3K - no waveguide on the production product

Tech specs are a little sketchy

NLE-1

The Nelson bass extender + stand solution delivers intense bass performance for mini monitors without compromising space.

harbeth.co.uk

I somehow think this will not be the final product. The product page ist not really incorporated yet and Alan Shaw is at High End Munich presenting the waveguided Version.

 

[im_gumby]

The Quads are one of several options. There's one that's all Hypex, I think. But I heard we are talking $50k, which seems like begging for a 83X1 comparison.

On the other hand, to the broader audiophile community, this is brilliant. They've taken the active monitor model, and broken out the amps and crossover to maximize bespoke fiddling potential, and tripled the margin. It's a relatively practical product dressed up in audiophoolery. Alan you sly devil you.

Well that's making the LinkWitz LX521s a bargain. At Axpona the speakers w the ASP/Amp all in one was ~23.9K USD (If memory serves. )
[Its more if you go w a fancy baffle upgrade. ]