Differences between Harbeth, Spendor, Graham, etc. ?

I don’t know that you can simply compare brands, as my experiences with three different Harbeth models (I owned all of them) would imply there can be considerable variations within a given brand:

• Harbeth Super HL5: fast, clean, but thin sounding... thin bass and mids
• Harbeth 40.1: warm, dark, full bodied and organic
• Harbeth 40.2 Anniversary: neutral, linear and balanced

Of the above three, only the 40.1’s were satisfying to the point that I’d consider owning them again, if I were in the market for a British monitor... but I’d like to hear the classic Splendor SP100 and SP 1/2E, as well as the Graham’s.

@pdreher 

Thanks for that useful clarification.

"Warm, dark, full-bodied and organic" is my preferred direction, although I lack the cash and room for something of the 40.1's dimensions.

If you are patient, you can find Spendor SP100's for < $3,000 and SP1/2e's for < $2,000.  Hifishark.com is a good site to keep tabs of used listings.  The Spendor's would look great in your beautiful craftsmen home... and both are efficient and tube friendly.

This dealer sells those 3 brands. Give him a call and I’m sure he will give you the lowdown on all 3. BTW, I have owned every Harbeth model minus the M40 (too big for my room). I am now using the HL5 and would never call them thin sounding. As a matter of fact I like the HL5 better than any other Harbeth or Spendor that I have owned!

A review!

I think the main differences can be attributed to their names:

1. Harbeth - named after the brother/sister (Harry and Beth) who first designed and built their bookshelf speakers in their uncle's lonely Wessex manor house. 
2. Graham - named after founder Paul's love of gravy and ham (GRAvy and HAM) breakfasts in his Devon area farmhouse as a kid. 
3. Spendor - named after the husband and wife founders (Spencer and Dorothy) who started operations up on the north midlands. Also the birthplace of Def Leppard. 

One of these is true, btw.