Differences between Harbeth, Spendor, Graham, etc. ?

@larryi

It does not have the slight tendency to have a sharp edge or sibilance in the upper midrange that the Harbeth has, but, it sounded a bit drier than the Harbeth, so tradeoffs are involved.

I only just resolved a sibilance issue that plagued my system for well over a year so I’m particularly wary of introducing anything new into the system that might reawaken that particular sonic demon.

At the same time, "dry" is not an adjective that I tend to regard positively. Perhaps Spendor is a better direction for me to pursue than Harbeth or Graham. RE: amplification, I have no plans to replace my Hegel H390.

Are all Audio Note speakers designed for low wattage tube amps? ? ? 

I suppose that tendency for sibilance in the upper mids is another way of describing what I heard in the 30.2’s (and also in some 40.2’s I’ve heard in a friend’s system). But sibilance is too hard a word, I think. A shade of sibilance, No such thing in the Classic series Spendors I’ve heard ( 3/5 - those before the R2 series I think - , SP 2/3R2, Classic 100) at all, though.

Interesting that Graham is drier than Harbeth. Not my cup of tea, then (most probably).

@donquichotte 

I suppose that tendency for sibilance in the upper mids is another way of describing what I heard in the 30.2’s 

Thanks for your input. I'm inclined to try Spendor Classics first. 

@larryi and @donquichotte

I have the HARBETH 30.2XD’s too. There is not one iota of sibilants or”edge” or insert your own like adjectives whatever,…. in my speakers nor in my system as a whole .Frankly it is a ultra silky smooth audio performance that is clear and unambiguous. My “A” system is posted on AGON fwiw.

@larryi

I don’t doubt that your system experiences some sibilants , but that sibilant is your bespoke wart likely introduced by some link in your bespoke system ,

It is flatly dead wrong to engender the same adverse experience to the HARBETH brand and speaker model as a whole Full stop.

 but that is your bespoke wart likely introduced by some link in yiurvsystem

????