Harbeth 30.2 or Falcon Gold Badge


I started my speaker search convinced I should was going to get the Falcon Gold Badges (Madrone 50th Anniversary) been waiting for over a month, which left me too much time to think about other options. Now considering the 30.2 XDs from Harbeth. 

I wanted to get some opinions from the experts here on which you would recommend. To give you an idea of my listening habits, it's mostly classic Jazz and Blues, acoustic music. I sit about 8 feet from speakers, have a Sugden Integrated, a Rega P10, Hana Red Cart. I am auditioning Phonos stages so thats undecided.

 

Let's hear it!! 

 

jc51373

I have the 30.2s, although I cannot compare them with the Falcons, I can say I compared them with speakers up to $14k and still brought them. I listen to a lot of vocal, acoustic, blues and jazz, plus a very small amount of classical. I have posted elsewhere here that if you like very hard rock, you will be disappointed. 
I have a Rega p6, luxman integrated, and an Aurender. 
I did add a sub (JL audio) which although probably not necessary, did add to the fullness and blends so well it just sounds like all the bass is coming from the 30.2s. 
I’ve had that basic setup for about 2 years and listen to music every day for hours. 
my experience, hope it helps. 

@deadhead1000 

 

Thanks for the feedback. I listen to alot of that same music so good to know you're enjoying them. I plan to add a KC62 sub to whatever smaller speaker I get. 

I’ve owned both brands. A true comparision for the Falcon LS3/5A would be the Harbeth P3ESR. I have owned every Harbeth minus the M40. I am now using the HL5 and it is my favorite larger Harbeth. I must say that the P3ESR is also an outstanding Harbeth if you want a smaller speaker! This is one of many reviews on the P3 that nails it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFIaiPT_kY

No experience with Falcons but with classic jazz and blues and human voice reproduction, the Harbeth M30.2 is one of the best if not the best. I find human voice to sound more lifelike on the 30.2 than SHL5+, all pre XD models. I’m not sure if the tables are turned with the current XD models.

As Deadhead had suggested (which I agree), it’s hard rock or music with explosive dynamics where the Harbeth will be slightly lacking when compared to other modern speakers. The Harbeth will also not reproduce the nuance and fine detail in the music when compared to ultra-revealing speakers usually in the price range of more than $8k but they will mostly beat them all when it comes to reproducing vocals with organic warmth and richness.

My experience with the Harbeth spans from more than a decade ago with the SHL5 before I upgraded to SHL5 Plus midway through the ownership. I now own Marten Duke 2 and Graham LS5/9.