Harbeth P3ESR or Monitor 30?

I run the C7s and I personally love all of the Harbeth speakers.  You cannot go wrong with any of them.  The M30  however is a reference quality monitor closely linked back to the BBC LS5/9a.  I was also a huge fan of Rogers so quite familiar with that spec.  I personally prefer the M30 as it is more appropriate for a home setting.  The M30 is quite revealing and the bass is lacking at low listening volumes.  Resolution is very good - much higher than P3 or C7 but I liked the added warmth of the C7.  Now one way to fix the slight mudiness of the C7 is through cabling - I use a full loom of Nordost Blue Heaven and Purple Flare.  

So for the OP, if you are using high powered/high end amp and like the resolution ,get the M30 (and the custom stands). Otherwise the P3 is a superb mini for listening a reasonable levels (they don't play loud). 

Also, the P3s are not suited to all kinds to music. They do excel in some, but if you push them too much all you can hear is congestion. If I were you, like others said, I would go for the 30

I was looking to buy a pair of Harbeth speakers and decided to ask the manufacturers what they thought would work in my room.  Alan Shaw himself replied.  In the end he suggested the particular speakers I was looking at wouldn't work.  He did suggest a smaller model in the range that would work though.  These guys make great speakers and are passionate about sound - they lost a sale but gave me the right advice.  I thought that was brilliant.  So perhaps send an email to Harbeth if you haven't already.  Good luck and enjoy the music! 

Please don't buy into the P3ESR fad. Over priced and there Is a multitude of better performing speakers out there and more musical. Fritz, Merlin, Dynaudio...heck The "Continuum" by Jeff Bagbydiy speaker for $350 out performs it. I have built it.......and it sounds BETTER! The PS3ESR build quality is a joke too for what you pay, after the $300 in parts. Hit me up if you are thinking of buying this and I can get you a better sounding version for $1000 less. 

OK, sorry for the belated update.

I ended up auditioning both, and have gone with the P3ESR. While both speakers predictably have strengths and weaknesses, let me begin by saying that the assertions in the above post are ludicrous. I don't mean to suggest that the other speakers mentioned aren't contenders, but the rest is hyperbolic nonsense.

Now, with regard to the two Harbeths, I have chosen the P3s primarily because of what some earlier contributors have noted, namely that they are more open sounding than the M30, and this is especially important in my current, less than ideal space.

I have little doubt that in a room with fine acoustics, and with the right associated equipment, the M30s would be first-class. The highs and mids were superb, even in my space, but they lacked the openness of the smaller speakers, and at times sounded 'boxy'. They also required a more specific and narrow listening position in order to be fully appreciated, while the P3s are quite flexible in that respect.

Having said all of that, I am not as enthusiastic about the P3 bass response as some others on the thread. My expectations were realistic, but I have been a bit underwhelmed. To be fair, I haven't yet done much experimenting with positioning, nor have I tried a different set of spikes, which I will do. So it is still early, and my opinions may evolve.

I do like the speakers quite a bit, but am not sure that they will be with me for years to come. For some perspective, I was more impressed with the bass response of the previous (small) speakers that I was using, a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1, which cost all of 350€.

In any case, thanks for the earlier feedback, and if you have any further thoughts or questions, fire away!

Regards,

Tony C.