Harbeth sound with high wife acceptance factor?

First thoughts are to get any decent speaker and trow a rug over them - that will dull down the sound to resemble Harbeth.
Dont know the value over your way - would recommend a dual cone Tannoy Stirling perhaps?

In my experiences gloss piano white speakers were the most accepted by the female persuasion. But I guess luckily mine never gives me a hard time no matter what stacks up in the living room.

I might be ok with going without for a while if it meant Harbeth sound. From time to time Harbeth's get accused of being ugly, I dont share those sentiments at all.   

So Dasha, do you remember the amp and source used with the Harbeths you listened to that brought you to your conclusion about their sound?

Most recently played my P3esr with a Tsd-15 fitted Well Tempered Amadeus, in to a Croft phono integrated. Step was Auditorium 23.
Lively, yet nicely balanced, involving sound. Couldn't imagine doing much better in that price range.

I had C7s for many years--loved them. Wanted something larger and floorstanding that sounded as good through the mids and elsewhere if possible. I looked for two years, heard dozens of speakers. None had the Harbeth magic I was seeking until....I found Daedalus. And your wife will love the way they look. And you will love the way they sound. And they are a little more money than you want to spend so maybe you will need to find a pair used....and even then you will need to stretch your budget some...but it will be worth it!