Current or Previous Harbeth Owners…


For those of us that have had or currently have, are there other speakers you’ve listened to that you found sounded “better”?  I’m eyeing stepping into a set of 40.2 or 40.3’s, but am also willing to step in a different direction.  I realize “better” is subjective, but a speaker that does what Harbeth does, but better.  

I have a set of Pass Labs XA100.5’s, FWIW.

toddcowles

Has anyone compared the Harbeth 30.2Xd to the B&W 805 D3 or D4? If so, I’d be interested in hearing your candid opinion. I’m currently running a CJ Classic 62se amp. 

I read a LOT of reviews and user comments about Harbeth & Spendor before picking up a gently used pair of 30.1s. Everything good anyone said about the 30.1s is true. I can pick nits (the mid- and low-bass aren't as thunderous as some other 8" woofer designs), but that matters less than the overall "voice" of this speaker--they sing music to me.

I couldn’t possibly fit a 40.1 or 40.2 here, but I heard the latter once and was really wowed. Easy to hear, even in a poorly damped show room, how good that one sounds.

I prefer Graham LS 5/5 to Harbeth.  To me a bit more spatial.

I wanted the BBC Sound to work, but in end realized you really need a floor standing speaker for bass. I ended up going with Von Schweikert Endeavour. Love them!  I saw a preowned paid on this site last weekend. A no brainer at $20k!

You may explore Graham. I switched from Harbeth SHL5+ to Graham LS5/9. Another option is Rogers but they have limited models.

@donquichotte had you listened to the M series previously to getting the Classic 100’s?  I wish I had a shop near my home, closest is about 2 hours, w/o traffic, and unless I’m interested in DAgostino + Wilson, I’m SOL.  

I’ve been reading on the Spendor Classic’s and watching YouTube reviews…likely would not listen to them prior to purchase.