Harbeth M30

Owning 3 pair of Harbeth speakers (SHL5s, 30, 7s) I have deduced that the 30s need to be treated like monitors....heavy break-in, very careful set up, and to be in close range. They always sound beautiful, but in a normal set-up don't really have that transparent top without being at close range. If you want transparent go with the 7s, which are more transparent further away. The SHL5s are dark and none of them have real bass. so no need to spend the extra bucks. Just get a good and flexible sub.

I've owned both speakers and the M30's were much better than the P3's.  You'll need more power IMO.  I had a Cary SLI-80 for awhile, and after that a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated.  Both amps matched well with the M30's.  

I wonder if the OP has figured things out already in the last 15 years.

Yea 12 years is a stretch but then again bumping dead threads with pertinent information doesn't hurt either as folks still shop for these speakers(or whatever product it might be)..
 I myself have been living with M30.1's(Ebony)for the last year,driven by Cayin KT88 tube integrated amp,cabled up with Nordost Norse series in a WELL treated,smallish room.Quite simply I have never had or experienced purer,more colorful or emotional sound in my home in the 40+years I've had a system!If you have M30's & don't like the sound it's either set up,room,cables or amp cause the speakers,in the right room,are truly magical!

Lol I'm looking at a pair of M30's comparing to Spendor A4's. This old thread was definitely helpful!