Harbeth sound with high wife acceptance factor?

Interesting because I just bought C7s because my wife liked the looks so much better than the SF Cremona Auditor. I was fine with it because the C7s are so much easier to drive. I put mine on Foundation stands and I move them in and out of the listening area so they aren't the focal point of the room, even though they are quite beautiful. Our place is super modern so the Eucalyptus is perfect. Was it the Sound Anchor stands that you were trying to sell to her? If so, take a look at the Foundation stands. they are gorgeous and minimal and in my room better sounding than the Sound Anchor.

The price difference between the C7 and 30.1 is substantial. I'm a C7es3 owner and I love them but the new 30.1 is a deal breaker. I'm not sure how I'll buy the 30.1 without my wife literally killing me but I'll try.

I guess I don't get the difference as far as looks. The 30.1 is smaller but other than that they look the same. The size difference is so small it baffles my mind that it would be a consideration.

The 30.1 may be the best speaker I've ever heard, and I was not planning on staying with the brand after the C7. I believe the new 30.1 is going to be a speaker that's considered a bargain and also one of the best ever at any cost

Spendor A line

If you want a smaller speaker with the Harbeth sound, did you check out the P3ESR? Not quite as much bass at the C7s, but they are pretty amazing speakers in their own right.

As for stands, the best sounding and looking stands for Harbeth IMO are the Foundation stands from the UK. They're made specifically for Harbeth speakers.

I have a pair of C7s, which will likely be my last speakers unless I come into money and move up the Harbeth line. Luckily my wife loves them too.

I am a Harbethophile, so sympathetic to your plight. In addition to Spendor, I would also look at ProAc's smaller floor standers. Also, at a much lower price point than the C7, the Quad 21L2's might work for you, generally very high WAF, and apealing sound. The Harbeth 30.1's are my ultimate target for living room system upgrade, but they are about 2x the cost of the C7. Nice trade if you can swing it.

kn