Harbeth 30.1, 30.2, XD

While I haven't heard the 30s, I tried the P3 Anniversary Edition and then the P3 XD - I far preferred the original P3esr to the two newer models.  The Harbeth sound that drew me in seems to be lacking in the later models.   

+1 smrex13!

New is not always better. +2. Having said that, I find the 30.1 to be much better than the older M30 which sounded too warm and shut-in in the midrange and treble, severely lacking clarity and detail. My first Harbeth experience with the M30 was more than 10 years ago.

FWIW a 30.1 owner on another forum tried the 30.2 but went back to the 30.1 as he prefers the warmer sound of the latter.

I'm quite happy with my 30.1, though admittedly haven't had any extended listening sessions with the newer versions. I'd be more likely to try something quite different before upgrading slightly within the same model line.

I recently bought the 30.2 XD’s.

The new Monitor M30.2 XD is an update of the M30.2 40th Anniversary Edition, which in turn was an update of the M30.1, and the M30 which in turn was a significant refinement to the original BBC LS5/9 upon which it is based. With each new model has come sonic improvements that are the result of decades of research and finessing.

The M30.2 Anniversary model sports better performance WBT ‘Nextgen’ binding posts, Harbeth’s ‘new-look’ tweeter, and upgraded audiophile-grade polyester capacitors that are made in England specifically for Harbeth.

The 30.2 XD in turn has all the Anniversary model upgrades and then some. Alan Shaw is constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the sound quality of his products and the crossover and internal wiring is the place to find to the largest gains. His latest measurement techniques are said to enable a “microscopic” representation of the frequency response, where it can uncover the smallest irregularities so they can be smoothed out. The connection terminals have been changed, so they now go directly to the circuit board, in addition to higher quality capacitors used in the crossover and upgraded internal wiring.

Harbeth manufactures one of its tweeters, the one used in the 30.2 is made especially for it by SEAS, and is made to a different specification than the tweeter used in the Monitor 30.1, even though that one is also made by SEAS for Harbeth.

A further audio refinement comes from following HARBETH’s recommendations for speaker stands. Ideally, the tweeter should be at ear level when the listener is seated. Harbeth doesn’t make its own stands but recommends the UK-based Hi-Fi Racks Ltd brand and Germany’s TonTraeger brand.

https://www.tontraeger-audio.com/lang/en/Reference_Stand_Harbeth_P3.html

I had the TT’s bespoke cloned by an expert local master wood craftsman as an upgrade to my prior TARGET steel stands - the new ones work as advertised.