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Harbeth NLE-1 2-Way Digital Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)
Harbeth NLE-1 2-Way Digital Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)
$4,300.00
Product Details
Harbeth NLE-1 Active Loudspeakers at Vinyl Sound Toronto, Canada
The Harbeth NLE-1 is a 2-way active digital loudspeaker from Harbeth Acoustic (Lindfield, England, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Harbeth dealer in Toronto, Canada. It combines Harbeth's acclaimed RADIAL cone technology with an internal DSP crossover and a pair of 50W Class-D amplifiers, covering a frequency range of 75 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB) in a compact cabinet measuring just 275 mm tall. The NLE-1 is Harbeth's first fully self-powered digital loudspeaker, designed for smaller professional control rooms, desktop near-field listening, and as a high-resolution component in larger immersive audio systems, bringing the tonal accuracy and midrange transparency of the Harbeth RADIAL driver tradition to an all-in-one active format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Harbeth NLE-1?
A: The Harbeth NLE-1 is a 2-way active digital bookshelf loudspeaker manufactured in England, United Kingdom, incorporating a 110 mm RADIAL bass/midrange driver, a 19 mm ferrofluid-cooled dome tweeter, an internal DSP crossover, and dual 50W Class-D amplifiers in a single self-powered cabinet. It is Harbeth's first fully integrated active loudspeaker, delivering the tonal accuracy and midrange transparency of the Harbeth RADIAL driver without requiring a separate amplifier or passive crossover. The NLE-1 is suited to professional near-field monitoring in smaller control rooms, desktop listening, and integration into larger immersive audio systems. Available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Harbeth dealer in Toronto, Canada.
Q: Does the Harbeth NLE-1 need an external amplifier?
A: No. The Harbeth NLE-1 is a fully self-powered active loudspeaker with dual 50W Class-D amplifiers built into each cabinet, one dedicated to the mid/bass driver and one to the tweeter. Connect a source directly to the NLE-1's XLR or RCA inputs and the speaker handles all amplification and crossover processing internally. Only a power connection and a compatible source are required. Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada carries a range of DACs and streamers to complete your NLE-1 system.
Q: What sources can I connect to the Harbeth NLE-1?
A: The Harbeth NLE-1 accepts both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs. The XLR input suits professional-level sources including network streamers with balanced outputs, DACs with XLR connectivity, and mixing console monitor outputs. The RCA input connects to turntables with a built-in phono stage, CD players, DACs with RCA outputs, and preamplifier outputs. This dual-input design lets the NLE-1 serve as both a near-field monitor in a professional context and a domestic loudspeaker. Contact Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada for source pairing recommendations.
Q: What is the personality mode switch on the Harbeth NLE-1?
A: The personality mode switch activates an additional octave of low-frequency extension when listening at lower volume levels. It addresses the equal-loudness contour, which describes the human ear's reduced sensitivity to bass at lower playback levels. At low volumes, music can sound thin and lacking in weight, and personality mode compensates by restoring the perception of tonal balance and bass weight at quiet listening levels.
Q: What finish options are available for the Harbeth NLE-1?
A: The Harbeth NLE-1 is available in eight finish options: Satin Black, Satin White, Titanium Grey, Ivory, Sand, Midnight Blue, Racing Green, and Crimson Red. This is a broader palette than the natural wood veneer finishes offered on Harbeth's passive loudspeakers, allowing the NLE-1 to suit everything from minimalist studio environments to more expressive domestic interiors. Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada can advise on finish availability at the time of inquiry.
Q: Where to buy the Harbeth NLE-1 in Toronto, Canada?
A: The Harbeth NLE-1 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Harbeth dealer in Toronto, Canada. Browse our Harbeth loudspeaker collection and contact us for guidance on source matching, input configuration, and placement for the NLE-1 in both professional and domestic settings. Canadian customers outside Toronto are welcome to contact Vinyl Sound directly for purchasing inquiries and shipping options.
Key Tech Specs
The NLE-1 is Harbeth's first fully self-powered loudspeaker, combining a RADIAL driver with an internal DSP crossover and two 50W Class-D amplifiers in a compact near-field cabinet.
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In Depth
RADIAL Cone Technology in an Active Format
At the core of the NLE-1 is a 110 mm Harbeth-manufactured RADIAL bass/midrange drive unit, paired with a 19 mm ferrofluid-cooled dome tweeter. RADIAL is Harbeth's proprietary polymer cone, developed with the goal of a cone that moves in a controlled manner across the midrange frequencies without introducing coloration. In the NLE-1, the RADIAL driver is individually controlled by the internal DSP crossover, so the crossover point is implemented digitally rather than through passive components, keeping the cone within its optimal working range and delivering characteristic Harbeth midrange transparency in a compact package.
DSP Processing and Class-D Amplification
The mid/bass and tweeter drivers are each driven by a dedicated 50W ultra-low-distortion, high-damping-factor Class-D amplifier, with the internal DSP crossover applying frequency shaping, time alignment, and driver compensation. A personality mode switch activates an additional octave of bass extension at lower listening volumes, compensating for the ear's reduced sensitivity to low frequencies at quiet levels. Idle power consumption is just 60 mW.
Connectivity and Ease of Use
A balanced XLR input accommodates professional sources including network streamers, DACs, and mixing consoles, while an unbalanced RCA input connects to CD players, preamplifiers, DACs, and turntables with a built-in phono stage. No external amplifier or passive crossover is required, making the NLE-1 a complete loudspeaker system that needs only a power connection and a signal source.
Technical Specifications
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