2. speakers
  3. 1198758781

Harbeth M30 -

I currently own a pair of M30's driven by a McCormack DNA-125/MAP-1 combo, source being a UDP-1 Deluxe. The latter components were recent purchase (dare I say it, recent upgradess). It is a very nice musical combination, with great mid-bass and wonderful vocals (I listen to jazz, opera/classical and rock). Also, there is decent low end punch that is well defined

The Question:
Those who currently own Harbeths (esp. the M30) or have recently owned and upgraded, what is the next logical upgrade path? What was your next speaker choice and the underlying reasons for that decision.

My Choices
I am considering another (better?) monitor with fuller bass extension or, a full range of modest size as my room dimensions are not large. Price range, up to 4k used. Speakers I am considering,:
- older pair of Dynuadio Confidence 3,
- Totem Manis' II,
- Opera or Sonus faber (Cremona Auditor),
- Gallo 3.0 or 3.1's or,
- Verity Audio Tamino.
- Spendor SP100 or 9e

This above list is by no means exhaustive, just some of my initial thoughts.

Any further feedback or thoughts would be highly welcome.
Thank you in advance!
petek
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
you may not think so, but you're there. yes, there are some nice speakers on your list, and the spendors will have a bit more bass, but they are fussier than the m30's, as are the harbeth m40's. your speakers have that magic quality, thats hard to quantify.
nolitan
865 posts
 
Before you upgrade the M30s suggested you do your room acoustics if you havent done so. They make up 50% of your sound. Once you get the acoustics right, then you'll wonder what made you the itch to upgrade. M30 has potential provided they have adequate and proper room treatments in rooms they are played in.

If however your room is already very good , I'd probably consider the SHL5 as the next speaker up. The speakers you listed above are all very good but harbeth has that midrange magic.
aktchi
274 posts
 
Not that you necessarily need an upgrade, but I have to say that the next logical upgrade would be M40.
Post removed 
frank_sm
111 posts
 
PeteK, You have been offered excellent suggestions already. I own both the M30 and M40, the M30 for approx. 3 years and the M40 just over a year now. The M40 is in a whole different league than its little brother in terms of scale and dynamics. You simply can't get that from any monitor. A full range speaker like the M40 offers that, however adding a sub to the M30 will make a huge difference. I run 2 Rel Storm III subs with the M30 and the combo is fantastic. You can run 1 sub and be happy. I wouldn't sell the M30 for any of the speakers you listed. If you like Harbeth, save your money for the M40.1 and get on the waiting list.
More to discover