Potential Pair of Great Bookshelf Speakers for Sale!

What you have in your speaker direct bake-off, depends entirely what you have them paired with upstream.

(1) The philosophy is clear. An affordable speaker with high-end amplification and source makes more sense in audio performance, than an expensive speaker with a cheap amp and source.

(2) Short-term outlook versus Long-term challenge: Your mid-fi AVR will be significantly bested by even a modest quality-build hi-fi integrated amplifier. If you have a future amp upgrade in your budget, then the HARBETHs will be finally able to perform to their significant strengths, and I am quite confident they will prevail in my personal experiences, having owned both brands.

Listen to the Harbeths for a month, swap out the totems and make your decision. Likely both will have pluses and minuses and you just have to make a choice. 

Both the wharfedale diamond 225 and the old elac B6 have some of the best bass I’ve heard in a relatively cheap speaker. I would have to agree, pair either one with some high end Amp and source and prepare to be shocked. The other way around tends not to produce very good results. 

Yes, adding in a quality stereo amp with a HT bypass is on my wish list. 

I'm in a similar position.  Currently have Wharfdale Jade 3 bookshelf speakers and have been considering Harbeth P3's.  The Jade 3's are really nice in my small room but the P3's shine in the mid-range female vocals that I prefer.  Is it worth switching?  Don't know.  I may have to buy some P3's and live with them for a few months.

Driving the Jade 3's with a Cambridge CXA-81.  Better to keep the Jade's and move to a better amp or DAC?  Just don't know.  PM me if you decide to keep the Totems.