I have the Graham Audio LS 5/9 and found them better sounding than the 30.1, but you should really listen for yourself, both are great speakers, I just prefer the 5/9.
Harbeth vs Graham audio
A question for connoisseurs of English sound. as known, the best speakers reproducing perfect vocals were Harbeth. The m30 and hl5 became the idols of many audiophiles. but not so long ago, a new Graham audio player entered the market. Rumor has it that Graham's midrange is just superb. but still. which company is better? who can not be distinguished from real vocals? Who is more faithful to the traditions of bbc monitors?
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I have owned the Harbeth P3ESR, M30.1 and M30.2, and the Graham LS3/5, LS5/9 and LS6. The only ones I still have are the Graham LS3/5 and LS6. The LS6 are my primary speakers. All of these are good speakers, but I felt that the Grahams are a bit more dynamic and a bit more neutral. The Harbeths always sound pleasant, but add their unique sound to all types of music. The Grahams better reflect what is on the recording, while retaining the classic BBC sound emphasising the midrange, with extremely natural vocals, but a more forward, more dynamic sound. |
Hi wanted to add one other point since we seem to be looking at things across price ranges. I got to hear the 40.2 and Super HL5 plus. I absolutely loved the 40.2. It is all that midrange and added gorgeous bass. Full and natural sounding across genres. I can imagine the 5/9 or 30.2 sounding less satisfying when you listen alongside that. Perhaps that is what jriggy heard? The Super was not my cup of tea in both the situations that I heard them. Yes more bass than 5/9 series (a rose by any other name?), and had more punch, but did not sound as beguiling in the midrange. However, admittedly there were variables, and they are really nice speakers - to summarise, not on my wish list even if there was a sale. 40.2 or do I need that extra kidney? The Graham series is indeed expanding as captainblood said. 5/9f 5/5 Etc. |
This is Graham's latest. https://www.grahamaudio.co.uk/products/ls55/ Clearly built to compete with Spendor Classic 100 and Harbeth 40.2. @vivek_r A while ago I listened to the SHL5+ and was quite put off. In the room/system it was in, it was quite bright and not that involving. Obviously, there are a lot of other people who have had very different reactions. Then I got to hear 40.2's in a very different room/system, and was completely wowed. Absolutely fabulous! Heard Classic 100's in yet another environment and also very, very good, hard to compare to the Harbeths (different rooms/systems) but factoring that in as much as possible I still preferred the Harbeths. The new LS5/5's are taking forever to reach the US, though they are in other parts of world. The current situation is obviously not helping. Would love to hear them when and if. If you google them, there's quite a lot on their development and the original BBC design on which they're based. |
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