Harbeth P3ESR or Monitor 30?

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.

whipsaw......I've been home-auditioning the P3's for three days now as per your advice. Actually the dealer offered so I took him up.
Very lengthy sessions,with back and forth between B&W's and P3's
all w/cds . There's a long version and short version of this story so will see what it goes. For starters,I had my B&W's set up in less than ideal conditions.....on either end of a wood homemade record cabinet
loaded with maybe 500 lps. My electronics are in between,and a 42"
tv in front of this on a stand,so that the speakers just edge out fully
on each side of tv. I know....  also used a B&W asw300 sub to good
effect on floor in right side. So this is how I started with Harbeths.
Played lots of music this way for first day.Had some difficulty dialing
the Harbeths and sub. On second day I pulled both speakers off record cabinet and onto makeshift stands of two wood chairs each
with books stacked and leveled at 24" to bottom of speakers. Listened this way all day yesterday without sub. The P3's improved and bass especially without sub.That being said,the B&W's also improved,getting out into the (living) room...much better soundstage
like they could breath better. The B&Ws have been holding their own
without question.....more of a testament to their strenhths than an
indictment of P3s. The P3s are without a doubt right up my alley
sound wise. As we speak I have them playing Willie Nelson & Friends...Stars & Guitars  Live ,after playing this with B&Ws. I''m not
much of a critical listener nor am I very tech proficient so will spare
attempts to sound knowledgeable. The two speakers sound very
close in quality to me,which has surprised me some.I have always
enjoyed music w/ the B&W 303s but figured they would pale in 
comparison to P3s. Perhaps if I was auditioning them both from
scratch,say my first pair of speakers I would choose P3s for a slightly
smoother presentation and a more clear definition of instruments.Hard to say. The cost is a factor as well,since it would be
a $2,000 lay out. I find I'm hearing that voice on my shoulder saying the Harbeths must be so much better....the B&Ws cost $300 some years ago,but letting my ears alone be judge, I think at this point I'll
stay with B&Ws as strange as that may sound. I will be looking to keep them out in the room on stands,so this experiment has given
me insight in several ways. Trust your ears,audition at home if possible, and best of all the speakers will now be free from a less than perfect placement. And if you like Willie,the Stars & Guitars cd
has great sound.....right now Patti Griffin singing Angel To Close To
The Ground....wow ....those sad songs just kill you. 
Sorry if this was a worthless ramble but wanted to get back with my
experience. See my post above for my rig specs.