Whatever you ask of the Compact 7ES-3, it always delivers: perfectly. The clarity is spellbinding and brings the ‘magic carpet ride’ experience to the listening room in a medium-sized enclosure.
The world-class HL Compact 7ES-3 takes the ultra-clean Harbeth-exclusive RADIAL2™ cone technology to another performance level, and has been hugely successful for Harbeth throughout worldwide markets. Add to that the new ‘Open Weave’ tweeter, new cabinet internal wall-damping, and lowered port tune frequency and the result is more dynamic and greater transparency This medium-sized loudspeaker combines natural sound with a flair for reproducing any and every type of music from rock to opera, jazz through folk. This latest generation is the most open and enthralling Harbeth Compact ever.
The Harbeth secret for natural sound is the result of the meticulous attention to detail. In true BBC tradition, and regardless of cost, both the front and rear panels are removable to create a low inertia, low energy storage and hence low coloration cabinet. Sales in Japan, where the previous Compact was highly popular, have confirmed that this new generation of the much loved design is a great leap forward.
Critically important but hidden is the crossover. A thorough redesign, from the bottom-up, using new-technology software allowed even more time for critical listening to music and speech and to minute adjustment of balance and level. The result is improved integration of the drive units across a wider horizontal and vertical arc meaning that the Compact 7ES-3 is far less critical of stand height than many speakers of this size.
| Transducer System | 2-way reflex 200mm RADIAL2™ mid/bass unit, 25mm dome tweeter with HexGrille. |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz – 20kHz +/-3dB, free space, 1m with grille on with smooth off-axis response. |
| Impedance | 6 ohms – easy to drive. |
| Sensitivity | 86dB/1W/1m |
| Amp. suggestion | Works with a wide range of amplifiers, ideally from 25W/channel |
| Power Handling | 150W programme |
| Connector | Two 4mm gold-plated binding posts for wires or plugs |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 520 x 273 x 315 mm |
| Available Finish | Cherry, Eucalyptus, Rosewood, Maple |
| Space needs | Overall response optimised for use away from walls. |
| Stands | To bring ears level with tweeters: typically 15 – 21 inches. |
| Weight | 13.2kg each (without packing) |
| Packing | Single speaker per protective carton |
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- Photo-Shoot of the Compact 7ES-3
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- Compact 7ES3
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- The Prototype Comact 7ES-3 being measure in the village hall in free-space
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- Detail of Compact 7ES-3 new precision surround
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- Detail of the new-generation tweeter
“The designer … is particularly gifted at knowing how speakers actually behave in real rooms. The design and engineering of the Compact 7 is so solid and sophisticated… that it sounds absolutely wonderful, retaining its essential neutrality and natural tonal balance…” – ‘The Absolute Sound’ Magazine USA
“If I could only pick one pair of speakers under $10k that I had to live with for the rest of my life, the Compact 7ES-3 would be my choice.” – Tone Audio Magazine 2008 Awards
“The Harbeth Compact 7ES-3 is a speaker without fault. It does everything that I could ever want a speaker in this price range to do; play music extremely failthfully without coloration or fatigue. Granted, you will have to spend a lot more money to get that last bit of bass extension or concert hall dynamics, but these speakers are faithful to the music in a way that is very rare these days. They have certainly changed my thinking!” – Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio Magazine, June 2008
| Download PDF | Harbeth Japan’s HL Compact 7ES-3 brochure |
| Download PDF | Japan’s Stereo Sound No.1 Result |
| Download PDF | The Absolute Sound reviews the HL Compact 7ES2 |
