(English) Final words on Harbeth Monitor 30.1

[@Rickzolla]

Thanks for the good information. I'm considering the 30.2s and the Compact 7. For my small room, and old ears, I think the 30.2 might be the right way to go.

[@reviewchannel9871]

While I have not heard 30.2(I know 30.2 is an update version of 30.1), I believe they are excellent speakers too. Compact 7 and Monitor lines behave very differently. Perhaps it is best to audition them both, If you could.

[@Rickzolla]

Yes, I have a local dealer who lets me sit for hours. That is exactly what I intend to do.

[@DelicioAlamedo]

The Harbeth M30 are the best speakers I have ever heard. And I think I have heard all the best brands. However, you have to be careful when installing them in a room, for this reason it is recommended to use an amplifier with good tone controls such as the Accuphase. This helps you to get the fundamental characteristic of the Harbeth: dynamic balance, that is, perfect linearity. (If the room reflects high-pitched sounds a lot because it has a lot of glass or resonant walls, attenuating the high-pitched tones a little, for example, will help you hear the perfect sound.)

[@reviewchannel9871]

I usually spend hours (or days) for speaker positioning to make sure for the best possible sound for my ears. I believe Accuphase makes great amps while my set of electronics serves me well enough (for now). I would like to use EQ with microphone (like GLM of Genelec) one day.

[@rickzolla4133]

I did picked the Harbeth Monitor 30.2s. They sound glorious.

[@reviewchannel9871]

I am sure they are great. Congrats~

[@barrybrennan2135]

Hi Rick. Did you compare with C7's? What was your opinion of the differences after listening?

[@nisabelle513]

Many thanks for this very nice and useful review. I do have a pair of p3esr XD which I like very much.. Also, I believe I drive them with quality electronic (Lyngdorf tdai3400 so with room correction). Only I can't get to really love them for symphonic music and neither for piano😢 Why!? There is something that doesn't envelop me enough with the symphonic music and there should be more clarity and speed in the attack of a piano... Could the 30.1 make me happier? Would it be useful considering eventually a bigger one like the super hl5+?

[@reviewchannel9871]

I would love to try Lyngdorf too but the distributor here is bit of an.. You will get more low end with 30.1 but 30.1 will not more responsive than yout current speaker. I love Harbeth but they are not THE most responsive speakers you can find in the market. I also love piano and I liked the piano performance from 'Bigger models with large woofer' of JBL or Wilson Benesch.

[@weeragardens]

What is your take on C7’s compared to 30?

[@weeragardens]

Excellent review. Thanks. What is your opinion on choosing a speaker for classical music between Harbeth 30.1 and Proac D2R ? I have Hegel H190 and Pontus 2 DAC to go with it.

[@reviewchannel9871]

I would pick Harbeth 30.1. ProAc is nice too but I find Harbeth is more transferent, has more accuracy and is more enjoyable.

[@weeragardens]

@@reviewchannel9871 Thanks. I have ordered 30.2 XD seems to be the latest version in walnut colour. Hopefully receive it by next week. What do you think about Hegel H190 with Harbeth 30?

[@reviewchannel9871]

Congrates. I have no idea how Hegel sounds since not tried Hegel. I would go for separates for the next upgrade though.

[@GTRJohnny66]

Great review. I found very little on the web comparing the 7's and the 30's. I am guessing from this that the 30's are meant to be more of a flat reference, and the 7's are more for fun (colored) listening? I heard the p3's and fell in love with them. Like everyone, I'm looking for the same thing they do - only bigger. :)

[@reviewchannel9871]

Yes. monitor 30s are more precise and 7s are more coloured in comparison but the fun bit I think, can be fairly subjective. P3's distinctive nature partly comes from its small size. I presume adding more meat may compromise p3's excisting agility.

[@ashman0071]

Harbeth's take a year to burn in and open up ( from my experience with Compacts and Supers - the 40.1 was somewhat more .......) - when they do - they are here - you are not there ....... just do it ok ......

[@johnmartinvillanueva6144]

Just got the C7es 40th, good decision

[@kirkway4118]

I got the basic version. Do you find it rolled off?

[@hushpuppykl]

What’s your take on the M30.1 in a medium small room? I have the P3ESR in a listening area of 10’ x 12’ but just am itching for the M30.1 or M30.2. Is it worth trading up? I listen to the typical audiophile music, vocals and instruments. Thanks!

[@reviewchannel9871]

that listening area is larger than mine. While I have no other clue of such space. 30.1 will fit in if the size is your concern. P3 and 30.1 are two different speakers and P3 might be your thing especially if you already own one. Personally, P3 wins my preference. I like P3's sealed structure and its sound. typical audiophile - I am not the best person to answer since I hardly listen to them. vocals - both speakers are excellent. P3 is my pick if I must choose instrumental - 30.1 has edge for the instruments with wide bandwidth but I'd say P3 might be better for instruments with limited bandwidth.

[@hushpuppykl]

Review channel ... thanks a lot for your reply! Appreciate it.

[@omgwtfpwnd]

A properly made speaker should reproduce all types music accurately.

[@reviewchannel9871]

Indeed. I use 2 different pairs of speaker stands.

[@omgwtfpwnd]

Review channel Which bookshelf speaker in your opinion reproduces Classical and Piano very accurately (sub or no sub)?

[@reviewchannel9871]

@@omgwtfpwndI am pretty forgiving when it comes to violin but not piano. Piano is an hard musical instrument for sound reproduction. It has very complex structure, huge size and complex sound - percussion, strings and the body of piano are all included in it. good reproduction of piano sound also require wide range, micro dynamics and being musical. Personally, I think both Harbeth 30.1 and p3 great . they are very musical. Audience 1+1, surprisingly low cost NHT superzero , Wilson Benesch Discovery (if money is no object, I do not consider discovery as a bookshelf speaker though. It is more like floorstander with partial open baffle)were all very impressive. However, musicality part is a matter of subjective, personal preference so there is no absolute way.

[@omgwtfpwnd]

Review channel What are your thoughts on the SVS Ultra or Legacy Studio HD for those two things I mentioned?

[@reviewchannel9871]

@@omgwtfpwnd I have not tried those products. I've been told SVS subs are pretty good. especially sealed ones.

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

I found the 30.1 extremely dull at the prepped room at the dealers, especially on drums. It put me off Harbeth.

[@reviewchannel9871]

Your criticism may be valid. Harbeth is not the most accurate speaker that I've tried. Others may enjoy Harbeth for some other aspects, like myself. Thanks for the comment.

[@commane21]

There are other models than just those two. Why would you prefer the 30.2 over the 40.2?

[@reviewchannel9871]

you are right. there are two other models that I didn't mentioned. I would I choose other brands for the price of 40.2 - not because I have anything against 40.2 but I like to discover other speakers for that sort of budget.

[@commane21]

@@reviewchannel9871 Any suggestions? I’d be interested in what you think could best the 40.2 at that price point.

[@reviewchannel9871]

@@commane21 I am afraid there is no clear answer. I guess 40.2's pricing is at somewhere below more expensive, high end market. I would be happy enough to settle with either p3 or 30.1, in order to enjoy Harbeth sound. Then I would like to explore other products of higher budget like Wilson Benesch, Avant Garde, or even Tannoy.

[@konstantinost3185]

.... and all Harbeth speakers are also way overpriced for what they are.

[@reviewchannel9871]

i respect your opinion. In fact, many audio components are overpriced and Harbeth could be one of them, at least to some.