Harbeth M40.5 XD2 Bookshelf/Monitor Speakers (pair)

Harbeth M40.5 XD2: the XD2 generation, a genuine upgrade

The M40.5 XD2 replaces the M40.3 XD at the top of the Harbeth range. This is no mere restyling: designer Alan Shaw reworked the very heart of the speaker, resulting in what he himself calls "the most transparent Harbeth ever produced." Externally identical to the XD (same dimensions, same weight, same aesthetics), everything changed on the inside.

What changes with the XD2

• New RADIAL4™ midrange (200mm): the fourth generation of Harbeth's proprietary material, with a stiffer polymer formulation with no gain in mass. The cone's break-up point is pushed higher in frequency, reducing smearing on micro-transients (a voice's attack, a piano's decay) — replaces the XD's RADIAL2™
• Fully redesigned crossover: a new-generation crossover across the whole XD2 series, for a more open, more natural soundstage and better coherence between registers
• Isolated midrange, housed in its own sealed, bitumen-lined chamber, protected from the pressure changes generated by the 300mm bass driver
• Higher sensitivity: 86dB versus 84dB on the XD
• Easier to drive: recommended power from 35W/channel versus 50W/channel on the XD
• Power handling more than tripled: 650W programme versus 200W on the XD, for a significantly larger dynamic margin
• Dimensions, weight (38kg each) and cabinet footprint: strictly unchanged

The listening experience

The result of these upgrades is immediately audible: a more open, more airy soundstage, better-defined micro-detail, and bass that gains extra headroom thanks to the tripled power handling. The M40.5 XD2 retains the same tonal balance from a whisper to full-throttle levels, never hardening or closing in. Merciless in its precision, it forgives nothing on a poorly mastered recording, yet remains warm, open and emotionally engaging — hailed by the international specialist press as Harbeth's best achievement in over forty years of history.

Key features

• Three-way design, bass-reflex loading
• 300mm bass driver, Harbeth-made (unchanged)
• 200mm RADIAL4™ midrange driver (new, XD2 generation)
• 25mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeter (unchanged)
• Frequency response: 35Hz - 20kHz ± 3dB free-space
• Impedance: 6-8 Ω, easy to drive
• Sensitivity: 86dB (versus 84dB on the XD)
• Recommended power: from 35W/channel, up to 650W programme
• Fully redesigned crossover for the XD2 generation
• Fully handmade and hand-assembled in the United Kingdom

Highlights

• Major upgrade over the M40.3 XD, at near-identical size and price
• The only three-way speaker in the Harbeth range, the brand's absolute reference
• Unanimously praised by the specialist press as the best Harbeth ever made
• Substantially increased power margin, for greater dynamics and effortlessness
• Hand-selected premium wood veneer finishes

• Type: bookshelf/monitor speaker, three-way, bass-reflex
• Bass driver: 300mm, Harbeth
• Midrange driver: 200mm RADIAL4™ (XD2 generation), Harbeth
• Tweeter: 25mm, ferrofluid-cooled
• Frequency response: 35Hz - 20kHz ± 3dB (free-space, grille on)
• Impedance: 6-8 Ω
• Sensitivity: 86dB
• Recommended power: from 35W/channel
• Power handling: 650W programme
• Crossover: new XD2 generation
• Connectors: 2 x 4mm gold-plated binding posts per speaker
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 750 x 432 x 388mm (+12mm for grille and terminals)
• Weight: 38kg per speaker
• Manufacturing: handmade, United Kingdom
• Packaging: one speaker per protective carton