Harbeth Compact 7ES-2 Review: Why These British Monitors Inspire Quiet Obsession

Year after year, high-end show after high-end show, hordes of audiophile attendees murmur amongst themselves, and in my experience, ubiquitously express attraction to one brand of loudspeaker above all, quietly. Sure, there are dozens of high-end speaker brands to talk about and hundreds of rooms to visit, and the chatter about this Wilson or that Tidal speaker fills the noisy halls of the high-end show host hotels. “Did you see those freaking MBLs?!”, etc.

But what I’m talking about is the quieter, between-friends chatter. Within those murmurations, year after year, I’ve heard near constant mention of one specific British speaker maker: Harbeth. Harbeth has continuously made some of the best bookshelf speakers, or hell, the best loudspeakers on the market, period, for decades. 

You know what I’m talking about. The VAC room was cool, the Scaena speakers were eye-popping, etc. But did you hear those Harbeths in the Vinnie Rossi room? Holy @#$%!

Now, Harbeth is not free from direct praise, by the way. It is quite often mentioned in best-of-show roundups by reviewers.

Anyway, at this point I’m just rambling so I can keep listening to these Harbeth Compact 7ES-2s.

You know me — I like well-timed drivers, stupid imaging, 3-D soundstage, actual bass (or at least easy integration with a sub), and non-fatiguing tonal accuracy. Not so much to ask, right?

These Harbeth Compact 7ES-2 speakers, powered by a PS Audio Stellar preamp and amp, deliver exceptional driver timing, braindead imaging, 4-D soundstage, riveting bass, and tonal oath-taking.

Haha, sorry, I had to follow that idea all the way down.

I love these large-ish monitors, and I know you will too. They do what modern Harbeths do, and they do it con gusto — need I say more? They’ll be up on the site soon — keep a lookout!

Articles and More Gear From Harbeth

For more on Wilson speakers, read:

• Harbeth 40.1 Review — Big-Room Magic, Audiophile Detail, and Surprising Dynamics
• Harbeth C7 ES-3 XD: Allen Shaw's Favorite Speaker

Looking for a used Harbeth? Browse models like the Monitor 30.2 and the P3ESR that have passed through TMR’s consignment and trade-in program — all fully tested, certified, and ready for reference-level performance.

• Harbeth M 30.1 35th Anniversary Bookshelf Speakers 
• Harbeth P3ESR XD2 Bookshelf Speakers
• Harbeth Monitor 30.2 XD Bookshelf Speakers