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Help me choose: Harbeth 30.2 or SHL5+ XD in a 10 x 13 feet room?

Hello everyone, 

Need some guidance on speaker selection. I am primarily targeting Harbeth. Open to others’ opinions. For this discussion appreciate experienced feedback on these two speakers. Sharing my room and audio setup details below.

Room:

Dimensions: 9.7 ft (W) × 12.5 ft (L)

Ceiling: Cathedral, 9.6 ft peak

Floor: Pergo Laminated, 5.5 x 9 ft rug in center only

Speakers: Tontrager Stand on bare floor, not rug

Front wall: LG G5 77" TV + Nakamichi Dragon Sounbar. Butcher Block Acoustics stands and rack. 

Rear wall: Window behind MLP, curtained. 

Listening distance: ~5 - 7 ft

 

My Audio SYSTEM:

Main speakers - to be determined. Need your opinion.

Amp: Synthesis A100 Titan (KT66, 100 W @ 6Ω)

DAC: Holo May KTE

Streamer: HiFi Rose RS130

Subwoofer: REL S/510 (planned)

Cables: Audio Note Lexus 96, DH Labs Air Matrix Cryo, Mirage USB

 

Taste in Music: Vocals, acoustic jazz, classical, opera, Tool/Dream Theater

 

Given the room volume is small,  does it make sense to go with M30.2 or M30.3 and pair it with REL S/510, or SHL5PLUS XD or XD2? Which speakers will be optimal for best outcomes? 90% of the time I listen to vocals, jazz, and Acoustics. 

Thanks in advance for your guidance. 

 

vzz1924
ericba's avatar
ericba
148 posts
 

The 30.2 or 30.3 (if you have the budget) hands down. Had them in a similar room size on Ton Trager Stands (the best stands for Harbeth to allow full cabinet resonance). Particularly excellent for vocals and jazz. The C7 .3 are a very good alternative if you want a bit more bass (but will loose the exceptional mid range that is second to none for the M30). I compared and got many feedback including two Harbeth retailers) on the SHL5+ and they would definitely not be my choice. Someone even offered me to trade one for one their SHL5+ for my 30.2 because he regretted selling his pair of M30.2 XD. My suggestion would be to get the 30.2 first and see if you want to add a sub later. Good luck and keep us posted.

vzz1924 OP
11 posts
 

Thank you. I connected with Harbeth and they suggested C7 or M30 as well. I am inclined to M30 given all the feedback and data. Would love to hear more experiences from the forum. 

andrewdrummond
17 posts
 

I had M30.1s and they were very nice, like a big LS3/5a, which is why there balance changed a bit for the 30.2 - as he doesn't like LS3/5as!

The midrange and HF was better on my 11ohm LS3/5as with Cicable external crossovers though, so I got rid of them. But it was close.

Still think you should try some Grahams as nearly every comment you find compared Harbeths and Grahams plumps for the Grahams because of the quality of the midrange, But the Harbeths have the advantage of being able to join the associated cult of Harbeth :-)

vzz1924 OP
11 posts
 

I have listened to Graham L5/9s with my setup. Absolutely loved them for vocals. Rest not so much. Again, my opinion,  not fact. 

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,920 posts
 

op

i have had every harbeth model - based on your info provided i would advise going with the m30.2 over the super 5 -- you will get too much midbass boom with the 5 without true low end

get a rel sub (a t9 would be plenty) to fill in the bottom, and enjoy

other spurious advice... consider/try proac... more incisive than harbeth brings you closer to the performance

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