Great report ! Thanks a lot.
You might be interested in this if you did not read it already :
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...2-loudspeaker/
The 40.2 just became the reference speakers of Paul Seydor.
I spent about 2 years with the 40.1.
They were truly amazing and played well above their price tag. I would be curious to hear the new 40.2.
Although I am now using vintage Altec drivers, I will never forget my days with the 40.1.
My friend Paul in Canada once had them. He sold them and tried many other speakers. And he is now back with them and happier than ever.
With the good partners, a very good isolation and a good room, these big Harbeths are extremely hard to beat.
I lost some degrees of medium bliss switching from Harbeth to Altec. But I gained a more natural bass. I also lost the last octaves but I prefer the more natural bass and upper bass.
For someone who craves for very deep, punchy and colorful bass, and the probably the very best mids on earth, the 40 are the way to go without spending the price of a super car.