Harbeth's largest loudspeaker and the closest it comes to a studio monitor for the home. A three way design with a 300mm bass unit, 200mm RADIAL4 midrange and 25mm ferrofluid cooled tweeter, reaching 35Hz within ±3dB. Brand new dealer stock, boxed, with the full Harbeth manufacturer warranty. The Harbeth Monitor 40.5 XD2 is the largest loudspeaker Harbeth builds and the model it places closest to a professional studio monitor. It is a three way design around a 300mm bass unit, assembled and veneered by hand in England. This pair is brand new dealer stock, boxed, with the full Harbeth manufacturer warranty. Dreamcrest Audio is an authorised Harbeth dealer. What it does A cabinet this size exists to carry the weight and scale of a recording without strain. The 300mm bass unit reaches 35Hz within ±3dB in free space, so orchestral bass and organ arrive with real body rather than a suggestion of it. A 200mm Harbeth made RADIAL4 unit covers the midrange, where Harbeth concentrates its cone material research, and a 25mm ferrofluid cooled tweeter takes the top octaves. Power handling is 650W programme, so it stays composed at realistic levels. How it sounds and where it fits Harbeth voices for tonal accuracy rather than emphasis, and the 40.5 XD2 is the most even handed speaker in the range. Voices and acoustic instruments appear at natural size, and the speaker shows what is upstream of it rather than adding a character of its own. It needs space. Harbeth optimises the response for free space use away from walls, so plan on a large room, cabinets well clear of the rear wall, and stands that bring your ears level with the tweeter at 660mm above the base. Monitor 40.5 XD2 or Super HL5plus XD2 The Super HL5plus XD2 stands 635mm, weighs 15.8kg, reaches 40Hz and is rated 150W programme from a suggested 25W per channel. The Monitor 40.5 XD2 stands 750mm, weighs 38kg, reaches 35Hz and is rated 650W programme from a suggested 35W per channel. In a medium room the Super HL5plus XD2 is usually the better balanced choice. In a large room the 40.5 XD2 is the one that fills it. Key features Three way: 300mm bass unit, 200mm RADIAL4 midrange, 25mm ferrofluid cooled tweeter RADIAL4 cone material, developed by Harbeth Smooth off axis response, measured with the grille on Two 4mm Harbeth branded binding posts Brand new and boxed, with full Harbeth manufacturer warranty Technical specifications Sensitivity: 86dB/2.83V/1m axial Impedance: 6 to 8 ohms Suggested amplifier power: from 35W per channel Power handling: 650W programme Frequency response: 35Hz to 20kHz, ±3dB free space, grille on Dimensions: 750 x 432 x 388mm, plus 12mm for grille and posts Weight: 38kg each without packing Tweeter height: 660mm from the cabinet base Finishes: Black Ash, Cherry, Oak, Walnut, Rosewood. This pair: This pair is finished in walnut veneer. Frequently asked questions How large a room does it need? Harbeth publishes no room size figure, only that the response is optimised for free space use away from walls. With a 300mm bass unit reaching 35Hz, treat it as a large room speaker. Does it need a powerful amplifier? Harbeth suggests 35W per channel and rates it at 650W programme. At 86dB into 6 to 8 ohms, what matters is a stable amplifier rather than a high power figure. Are stands included? No. Choose stands that put your ears level with the tweeter, 660mm above the cabinet base. To hear the Monitor 40.5 XD2 in our Nicosia listening room, use the enquiry button on this page.
Dreamcrest Audio Fidelity Ltd, Nicosia. Specialist hi-fi and high end audio, 20+ years in the audio business. Full details and photos: https://www.dreamcrestaudio.com/product/harbeth-monitor-40-5-xd2-loudspeakers/
