I very much liked the Boenicke W5 when I heard it at a show. I stayed a while in the room and got to choose a song I knew well. For your room they may be perfect. Most reviews also mentions that they sound a lot like real musical instruments.
Harbeth again…or other speakers for acoustic music?
Hi!
I’ve been without any decent hifi setup for a few years now but lately had the thoughts of investing in a good system again. Let me tell you little about my background and what I’m searching for. I live in a place far from any hifi-stores, I’ve not so much experience of listening to a lot of different systems or visiting hifi shows, but I’ve been playing music myself, mostly jazz, for about 20 years and have been in many performances both as musician and as audience.
About 5 years ago I first bought a pair of Harbeth P3 second hand along with a Rega amp. Pretty soon I wanted something bigger in scale so I swapped the speakers for a pair of 30.1 and the amp for a Croft 25/7 combo. The sound was really really good in so many ways, best sound and midrange I’ve ever heard before! Even though my apartment back then was not optimal with concrete walls the vocals was very lifelike. But after a while I feeling somehow that something was missing. I’m no bass junkie or so but I was tempted to try something that had little more depth and covered the bass region better, so I was started looking at SHL5+ and C7ES3. I also thought about integration some subs but never tried that route. Swapped the 30.1 for C7 but I was immediately disappointed. I never got them to sound good at my place. I thought they lacked the magic I felt 30.1 had.
I ended up selling all my gear, but the sound of 30.1 and Croft combo really etched back in my mind. It was more emotional to listen to music as I ever before had experienced. I prefer listen to acoustic music, jazz, small groups ensembles but occasional big band and some lighter pop, but looking for something that excells with vocals and acoustic instruments. It can absolutely be little on the warmer sound, I can’t stand harsh and cold sound.
So now I’m looking for a system again and would like to hear what suggestions you have. I listen to low to modest volumes. No heavy rock or metal. I need something that can play good on low volume. HE speakers and a SET amp would be an alternative but also is Harbeth. I know there’s 30.2 now and XD. Integrating with subs could be Ok. My living room is about 15x12 feet and the speakers cannot be to big and dominant, ex Quad ESL is not an option. There is a few softer walls and I think 1 concrete wall.
Happy to hear your thoughts..
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No I haven’t. The M30.2 or 30.2 XD may be worth considering as I find the newer iteration to sound better than the older versions. Personally I find the original M30 to be underwhelming. It’s the warmest Harbeth speaker with significantly reduced air and rolled off treble. The clarity is poor with the M30. I find the M30.1 to sound much better with improved clarity and detail. I much prefer the 30.1 over M30. The 30.2 sounds even better, more open and brighter with an extended treble (although I note that few prefer the warmer presentation of the 30.1). If the 30.2 XD sounds even more open at the top with improved clarity and detail, it may well be a winner. Bass isn’t everything as the size of the M30 would be appropriate for small to medium sized rooms (where larger speakers fail to fit). |
My system consists of the Harbeth P3 Anniversary Editions, Naim Uniti Atom, and SVS SB-3000 sub. It sounds great to me. Often I'm amazed at how good it sounds. I listen to a wide variety of music at low to moderate volume and am totally satisfied. No desire to upgrade. The SVS integrates beautifully. I'm sure it would do the same with the 30.1/30.2 as well. |
@bilitz Thank you for commenting. Interesting to hear. Did you find it difficult to integrate the sub? And where do you place it, near speakers or some distance away? |
- 55 posts total