I'm biased -- I'm a long term Harbeth fan and love how they deliver music. They are not for everyone. Before these, I had the flagship Monitor 40s, which are truly amazing speakers. They retail at around $9k, I think, and I don't think anything in the price range is as musical -- maybe close, maybe equal in some ways, but not superior.
The Monitor, for what it is -- a two way monitor -- is terriric. Is it the last word in fidelity in that price point? Not really. There's the Harbeth HL5, Quads are close, and many others. All different. The 30s suit me because we're about to move overseas -- they' are small, less likely to be damaged in shipment, and easier for a smaller living space (the M40s require a LOT of space or a seriously treated room). They are exceeding linear and natural. Bass extension is limited, of course, so these are not the speakers for a person heavily into hip hop, really hard rock, some electronica, and the like. They would benefit from subwoofers or something like the TacT 2.2x plus corner woofers (which could make them, quite possibly, better than the M40). They are musical and delightful speakers -- read the reviews. They are all raves. The things I give up -- body and extension -- are made up for an accuracy, imaging, and musicality. Aesthetics: they are a plain box speaker. Personally, I really like the traditional look of the speakers. Spartan, clean, elegant, and somewhat retro. They are NOT for everyone -- we have to live with these things as part of our home decor, after all, so visual count! -- highdudgeon SB3->Nuforce 9.02->Harbeth Monitor 30s/Skylan stands and Quad ESL-988s. Simple and satisfying. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ highdudgeon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2195 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26930 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
