hello Ken, I too have not checked out Audiogon for awhile.
So hard to put in words how the Hartsfield sound without leaving an impression that I was crazy or over stated it or making other pairs look bad..hahaha. They are 50 plus years old, old tech and driven by old tech gears with $5.00 per foot speaker wire, but yet, they are the best sounding speakers I have ever heard. I have heard many high end modern speakers including those over $100,000 up a pair, they don't deliver such clarity, soundstage, powerful... and power. For the first time after countless of large high end speakers that I have owned, I have never experienced such power like the Hartsfield. The sound is huge, big and overwhelm. The bass is so powerful, fast and responsive. I remembered when I listened to other speakers in other system, I can't help notice that there is always something missing. while listening my thoughts kept running of what needed to be upgraded. The cables were not matched, too little power, D/A need upgraded to a more expensive model. I ended up spent all the way to all highest price of each components. With the Hartsfield, the music just relax me. All I can think about is which records to play next. and another thing, with the hartsfield, they sound so good that weather the record is original pressing or copy don't seem to matter, they sound so nice you don't think about it.
Before i bought I have never listened to the Hartsfield, in fact, I have never even seen the real one. Here in Thailand, there are only 4 in pairs and only one with original buble back 375, mine adds to the fifth pairs with original bubble back 375. So, only a hand full of so-called audiophile hobbyists had the chance to listen to the Hartsfield. But one thing in common to all those that have listened, all say that the Hartsfield were the best and non comes close. And those guys own biggest and highest price pairs. From those words alone, I have had the Hartsfield... I feel so fortunate to this day.
I have no experience with other JBL drivers including the flat back 375 used in later Hartsfield so I can't say how good they sound. but 375 is among the best.
