Harbeth P3ESR or Monitor 30?

Only if my expectations had been unrealistic, and they weren’t.

I ended up auditioning both, and have gone with the P3ESR. While both speakers predictably have strengths and weaknesses, let me begin by saying that the assertions in the above post are ludicrous. I don’t mean to suggest that the other speakers mentioned aren’t contenders, but the rest is hyperbolic nonsense.

Now, with regard to the two Harbeths, I have chosen the P3s primarily because of what some earlier contributors have noted, namely that they are more open sounding than the M30, and this is especially important in my current, less than ideal space.

I have little doubt that in a room with fine acoustics, and with the right associated equipment, the M30s would be first-class. The highs and mids were superb, even in my space, but they lacked the openness of the smaller speakers, and at times sounded ’boxy’. They also required a more specific and narrow listening position in order to be fully appreciated, while the P3s are quite flexible in that respect.

Having said all of that, I am not as enthusiastic about the P3 bass response as some others on the thread. My expectations were realistic, but I have been a bit underwhelmed. To be fair, I haven’t yet done much experimenting with positioning, nor have I tried a different set of spikes, which I will do. So it is still early, and my opinions may evolve.

I do like the speakers quite a bit, but am not sure that they will be with me for years to come. For some perspective, I was more impressed with the bass response of the previous (small) speakers that I was using, a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1, which cost all of 350€.

In any case, thanks for the earlier feedback, and if you have any further thoughts or questions, fire away!

Thanks for the update. Good to hear you have settled with the P3ESR. It’s a wonderful speaker indeed and have the capability of sounding "huge" despite its small enclosure. Perhaps you might want to give it more time to determine if the bass performance will improve. It would be interesting to know how the P3s would sound like with the Jeff Rowland.

I share the same thoughts on the M30, though the comparison is mostly with the C7ES3 and SHL5. The M30 sounded fairly shut-in and less open than both the C7s and SHL5s. Due to the "restrained" quality, the M30 sounds slightly boxy next to the C7s and SHL5s which sound more open in comparison. Having said that, the M30 being a monitor speaker is voiced to have more control, hence the apparent lack of "openness" when compared to other Harbeth speakers which are more suited for domestic applications. The M30 has a much richer tone than the C7ES3 and SHL5 which gives instrument and voices a more palpable feel. Folks who value this trait more than transparency and openness will find the M30 a "better speaker".

You didn’t mention the amplifier used but that too makes a difference. As you probably know, Harbeth speakers are easy to drive and sound quite good with most suitably powered amplifiers. This would include certain British solid state integrated amplifiers. I have used the P3 speakers with Naim Nait XS2 and SuperNait2 integrated units. The SN2 added some needed warmth and bass response but I still wasn’t satisfied. I recently tried three other high quality integrated amplifiers, two solid state and one tube. The clear winner was the LFD Zero Mark IV, which had much better bass and PRAT than any other amplifier I have tried. The LFD also had a more natural, mid-hall presentation that sounds as close to real as I’ve ever heard in a stereo system. The LFD/Harbeth combination is truly extraordinary. The lack of remote was initially a turnoff, but I use a Logitech WiFi remote to control my source and it works great.

Interesting that you find the LFD Zero Mark IV to have better bass and PRAT than the Naim Nait XS2 and Supernait2. I have tried the LFD Zero Mark III with the Harbeth and there is certainly a great synergy in this combination. I have listened to the Nait XS with the Harbeth and share the same sentiment that the Harbeth sounds nicer and more sublime with the LFD. Apart from the bass that is more prominent with the LFD, the midrange and highs of the LFD have a certain tube-like glow to it. Somehow the Nait XS didn’t possess the same verve and rhythmic drive when compared to the LFD and took a flatter / monotonous sound. A caveat is I did not have a Hicap connected to the Nait XS when I listened to the amp. Nevertheless, there is no denying the fact that the LFD gives the best of both worlds in combining tube-like warmth with speed, slam and dynamics of solid-state, a rare feat to achieve indeed. In this sense I agree that the LFD/Harbeth combination is unique and remarkable.

I am currently using Naim NAC202/NAP200 + Dual Teddycap with the Harbeth SHL5s and I can vouch for this combination as well. The Naims may not have the wonderful tube-like glow of the LFD but the rhythmic pace (PRAT) is on another level compared to the Nait XS. Music has a certain groove to it as the crescendos from silent passages are all delivered remarkably well (good macrodynamics). After living with the Naims for more than 5 years, I now have an NAC282 on the way after being influenced by the group on the Naim forum just recently. Initially I did not have plans for an upgrade but the enthusiastic group on the Naim forum appears to have succeeded in convincing me to go up the Naim ladder. Maybe I should stop visiting forums so that I can stop buying new gear.

I have just recently come to the LFD-Harbeth match, and I think it's astonishing.  I have the P3esr paired with the LFD LE V and an LFD LE/SE phono stage.  It's hard to believe this is not a tubed system with the dimensionality and tonal purity that it produces.  I am tempted to audition the C7s or the M30.1 to get a little more bass and a slightly higher volume range.  I had the C7s a while back paired with a Naim 5i-2, and it was a wonderful sounding system.  However, it didn't produce much center fill - I was always aware I was listening to two separate speakers.  If nothing else, I have discovered I am a huge fan of the British sound - I have really enjoyed every product I've tried by Naim, Exposure, Harbeth, Spendor, LFD, and Croft.  

Scott