Harbeth P3ESR or Monitor 30?

I have just recently come to the LFD-Harbeth match, and I think it's astonishing.  I have the P3esr paired with the LFD LE V and an LFD LE/SE phono stage.  It's hard to believe this is not a tubed system with the dimensionality and tonal purity that it produces.  I am tempted to audition the C7s or the M30.1 to get a little more bass and a slightly higher volume range.  I had the C7s a while back paired with a Naim 5i-2, and it was a wonderful sounding system.  However, it didn't produce much center fill - I was always aware I was listening to two separate speakers.  If nothing else, I have discovered I am a huge fan of the British sound - I have really enjoyed every product I've tried by Naim, Exposure, Harbeth, Spendor, LFD, and Croft.  

Scott

whipsaw.....wondering about your Harbeth P3's and where you're
at with them ? I'm getting close to a P3 purchase after an audition
but have not had a listen to much else   ... my current and long time
speakers are B&W dm303's  w/B&W asw300 sub. Amp is McCormack DNA 1.
 Pre amp Modwright 9.0 swl , ss rectifed.   My room
is 12x20 living room. I actually love the 303's but getting upgrade bug. Any feedback would be appreciated,as would anyone with other
suggestions as well. I've read just about everything available about
these speakers and Harbeth speakers in general . I see yogiboy is a Harbeth guy so would be great to hear from him also.  Thanks 

Hi offnon,

I have been using the P3's for close to two years now, and am very happy with them. As suggested in the original posts, my listening space here in Lisbon is quite poor, yet the Harbeth's have performed really well. 

It's not just the well-documented accuracy and natural sound that they produce, but their openness has helped to mask some of the problems associated with the room. As absurd as it may sound, when I sit at my desk and work on my computer, I am essentially between the speakers, and yet they still sound good! Remarkable, really.

I have upgraded my amp from the Accuphase E-303 to the E-303x, and it was a substantial upgrade. I am still using my EMC 1-UP CD player as the primary source.

I haven't yet been able to place them optimally far away from the back walls, and so the soundstage is compressed to some degree. Nevertheless, I am very happy with them, and look forward to hearing them under more favorable conditions in the not too distant future.

I can't really comment on the B&W comparison, as I haven't owned them. My previous speakers were Green Mountain Audio Calistos, and the Harbeths compare very favorably.

As a final note for now, I do listen to a variety of types of music, including funk and soul. And while the P3's are obviously not going to bring the house down with bass response, I have found them to be impressive in how they punch above their weight.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!

Cheers,

Tony

whipsaw....thanks for your reply. I'm pretty sure I will buy these
.....just in a bit of indecision limbo. I found a great dealer here
on Long Island who's been super helpful with me. For me it's the usual " is this the right move ? will they be a $2,000 improvement on my speakers ?   etc.   but I gotta jump in somewhere, and 2 grand
is my limit . Anyway,thanks again and I'll get back in here if I do get
them and once I've been listening awhile.

Great! Please do report your impressions.

Oh, and if the dealer is as good as you say, then get them to make a simple concession: you get to audition the speakers at home before consummating the purchase. As you know, system synergy is crucial.