Bcollins - I have only been listening to the Spendors for a week, so my thoughts are preliminary. And, indeed, Bob Neill has covered this comparison previously, but I don't recall if he was using the 1/2e's. In any event, the Spendors are quieter at the top end, though I'm not sure that I would call them rolled off. (When there is some penetrating percussion instrument in the mix, like a triangle, it has good presence with the Spendors.) I think there's a bit less low end, also, but some of that is masked for me by the use of a subwoofer--which, by the way, I think is an excellent addition to either the Harbeth M30 or Compact 7. The Spendor's real focus seems to be the mid-range (and I think Neill would agree). I'm not sure I'm quite as in love with the Spendor mid-range as Neill apparently was, but then, I've been listening to the Harbeth mid-range for nearly 18 months (come to think of it). The Spendor mid-range sometimes sounds a bit less colorful than the Harbeths (though see comments below about playing the Spendors loud).
I recall reading somewhere that Alan Shaw at Harbeth thinks the material he uses in his midrange drivers produces more detail than the material used in many other drivers like the Spendor. I would say that the Spendors are not quite as detailed as the Harbeth, but that could be the softer treble...who knows. In any event, I would call the Spendor somewhat more "forgiving" than than either of my Harbeths. Today, I like that. Next weekend, I may need a dose of the M30's. Then I may go back to the Compact 7's for something in between. And eventually, I'll try the Harbeth HL5's. Why not? They'll fit on the Spendor stands just fine.
I should also add that the Spendors sounded really, REALLY good cranked up loud (for my small-ish room, anyway)...no edge at the top. Really rich. The Harbeths can have a bit more bite. In fact, as I remember the other evening listening to orchestral music at a hefty volume, I was thinking, this is about as good as it gets.
