Harbs out Proacs in !

[Ian]

Testament to Rule No. 1 – the gear has to be right for the room. In a 12 x 12 foot room these were just a joy, in a much wider room firing across the long wall they just lost their magic with a lot of music. I really tried to live with this but in the end attachment just wasn’t enough.

So I blindly plunged for a pair of Proac Studio 115. Not a speaker I hear much about which surprises me as the 110s they replaced were very well thought of indeed. I used to own a pair before the Harbs and thought they were a little wonder.

So, first impressions are that Proac have upped their game in terms of cabinetry veneer. Very nice finish indeed. They’re not a deal bigger than the Harbeths, same width, 80mm taller and a bit deeper. The bass driver is rather larger in diameter though at 165mm as opposed to 110mm.

I only had a couple of hours with them last night but was mightily impressed. The sound really is out in the room and I have soundstage back. What I would describe as the intimacy of music I had with the Harbs is less apparent but see opening para. of post !

Towards the end of the evening it was definitely ‘just one more track’. I find I just want to go home and play more music so I reckon this is a good sign of things to come.

I’m now thinking Croft 7R, Leben CS300……………………… ;-)

 

[whitehart]

Interesting... I used to own some Studio130's and really liked them, would certainly consider revisiting ProAc in the future.

Which Harbs have the 115's replaced?

Mac

 

[Ian]

Interesting... I used to own some Studio130's and really liked them, would certainly consider revisiting ProAc in the future.Which Harbs have the 115's replaced?

Mac

P3ESRs Mac.

 

[Bourney]

Definitive has a Leben in...

 

[Ian]

Definitive has a Leben in...

I know ! Is £1200 over the odds do you think Steve ? Seen them (occasionally) here for a fair bit less.

 

[Tarzan]

Definitive has a Leben in...

Where's me phone call?

 

[Bourney]

I did try! Just got a voice mail..someone moaning about Ryan Shawcross...

1100 quid is the going rate Ian, I'm sure Kevin would meet you in between and the 50 quid would give you dealer back up.

 

[PhilofCas]

I'm intrigued Ian (you may remember our PM's re the P3ERS's), do you think it's mainly down to greater loudness/bass capability from the larger woofer?

 

[Tarzan]

I did try! Just got a voice mail..someone moaning about Ryan Shawcross... 1100 quid is the going rate Ian, I'm sure Kevin would meet you in between and the 50 quid would give you dealer back up.

That could have been a lot of people's phones.

 

[Ian]

I'm intrigued Ian (you may remember our PM's re the P3ERS's), do you think it's mainly down to greater loudness/bass capability from the larger woofer?

Hi Phil, of course I remember ! I reckon so, the bass cone is twice the area and the cabinets 70% larger so I guess physics comes into play. Don't be put off the Harbs because of what I've said, just be wary of sticking them in a big room.

 

[Ian]

I did try! Just got a voice mail..someone moaning about Ryan Shawcross... 1100 quid is the going rate Ian, I'm sure Kevin would meet you in between and the 50 quid would give you dealer back up.

I'm mightily tempted Steve !

 

[PhilofCas]

Thanks Ian, quite a bit larger then, so no wonder really, what's your take on the differences in the midrange, in particular vocals?

 

[syep2001]

Harbies arrived today Ian.

Glad it's been a beneficial swap! I love the house proac sound, my room really lends itself to all speakers but I love the intimacy a small speaker provides!

It's all a good game isn't it!

 

[Guest]

I'm mightily tempted Steve !

Ian, just my two pence, but for having owned quite a variety of ProAc speakers and valve amps (in combination, too), do listen the Leben/ProAc combo for yourself, please, before the purchase as the ProAcs draw quite a number of Amperes, in which the Leben, just as the majority of 2xEL84s per channel-tube amps, should be short of...

 

[Ian]

Thanks Ian, quite a bit larger then, so no wonder really, what's your take on the differences in the midrange, in particular vocals?

Hi Phil,

Sorry for the delay, been so busy ! The presentastion is certainly different. I'm very happy with the proacs, very happy indeed but not as happy as the harbs in the smaller room. The 'window into the music' thing that I felt described what I had really well has gone. That apart they are stunning speakers and far improve what I had in terms of what the Harbs. were able to do in the room.

You just can't have it all, simple as that !

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Ian, just my two pence, but for having owned quite a variety of ProAc speakers and valve amps (in combination, too), do listen the Leben/ProAc combo for yourself, please, before the purchase as the ProAcs draw quite a number of Amperes, in which the Leben, just as the majority of 2xEL84s per channel-tube amps, should be short of...

Thanks for this Trane, it's my intention to play with amlification in time and appreciate your advice. Any experience on what works particularly well with these speakers ? cheers.

- - - Updated - - -

Harbies arrived today Ian.Glad it's been a beneficial swap! I love the house proac sound, my room really lends itself to all speakers but I love the intimacy a small speaker provides!

It's all a good game isn't it!

Again, Sorry for the delay Simon. Really glad you're happy, get these right and you're really winning.

 

[gareth]

Did you try anything else in the room on route to the choice of ProAcs?

 

[Ian]

No Gareth these are the first alternative. May try others in time, it's what we do ;-)

 

[PhilofCas]

Hi Phil,Sorry for the delay, been so busy ! The presentastion is certainly different. I'm very happy with the proacs, very happy indeed but not as happy as the harbs in the smaller room. The 'window into the music' thing that I felt described what I had really well has gone. That apart they are stunning speakers and far improve what I had in terms of what the Harbs. were able to do in the room.

You just can't have it all, simple as that !

Thanks Ian, much appreciated and no apology necessary :^

Room/speaker interface is very obviously key and glad you've shared your experience with this in an open way. I also see there really could be something in what Harbeth take great pleasure promoting, which is their 'Radial' material used for the woofer as opposed to polyprop. commonly used, do you see it this way? - i.e. the reason for losing the 'window into the music'?

Thanks again.