Harbeth 30.2 or Falcon Gold Badge

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. 

@ryder 

Thanks Ryder, nice to hear from a long time owner. In all the years I've been in hifi I have not owned them or quite honestly given them a critical listen. My tastes have changed over the 25 years or so in hifi and these two speaker models seem to fit the sound profile I prefer most over the past 10 years or so. I always remember Harbeth in the past sounding almost too warm, so I like that they've reengineered them to sound like a more modern speaker. Should be a nice mix. 

@yogiboy 

Yeah I considered the P3, but all the listening I did (online) loved the Falcons a bit more..I am sure I'd be happy with either as both have stellar reputations. Ill check out the video

If you are set on getting the Falcons, last year I bought the Falcon Q7. They are sold factory direct from Falcon for well under 2 grand shipped, no tax or VAT is charged when shipped to USA. If you shoot Jerry Bloomfield (owner) an email he will give you the total price with the options that you want including the gold badge X over. You can get the kit or factory assembled.

I received them within one week after ordering them!!

https://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/q7-completeathome-loudspeaker-system.html

I have heard both in the same location and it is an interesting comparison.  At somewhat modest listening levels, both are quite nice sounding.  The Falcon, more so than the Harbeth, is sort of faking deep bass by bumping up the response in the 80-100 hz region.  But, both still deliver plenty of bass for being small speakers.  I hear some upper midrange coloration in the Harbeth that comes off as a bit of a sibilant edge to some notes.  Overall, I actually like the Falcon more.  However, I did not listen at higher volume levels where the Harbeth probably has an advantage—physics cannot be denied, and there are more limitations on drivers and cabinets the size of the Falcons.  I have also heard the Harbeth P3ESR in the same location and liked its sound, but, the Falcon sounded better to me.

@larryi 

Thanks, this helps, sort of validates what I am thinking as well. I am going to probably buy both and listen for a while then keep which ever I like most. The Falcons were where I started this journey but somehow got convinced the Harbeths should be listened to as well. I just need to try both in my own space.