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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
etph
5 posts
 

I have the Harbeth M30.2XD’s with a REL S/510 in an 11.5x11.5 room with much treatment, and they sound fantastic. I have the Harbeths about two feet from the front wall and just over 3 feet from the side walls.

vzz1924 OP
11 posts
 

@etph thanks. I’d love to hear about the treatments that you have and how you decided on them. Did you do some measurements with REW and then decided on what to get? It will be awesome if you can post a photo of your setup. 

etph
5 posts
 

Thanks for asking, vzz1924. Unfortunately, I just went on vacation until the end of the month but I can send pictures when I return.  I did not use REW but trusted my ears. John Major at GIK helped me on which acoustic treatment and where and I experimented for months with speaker and listening positions. The GIK acoustic treatment made a huge difference to my small, square room. 

ryder
1,769 posts
 

I'm late to the party. As someone here has suggested, I would recommend looking at Graham as an alternative to the Harbeth. Almost everyone who compared both prefer the Graham's more uncolored presentation. Most Graham owners are ex-Harbeth owners. 

macg19
1,337 posts
 

I’ve owned the 30.2 XDs paired with 2 REL T/9x but in a larger room than yours.

I now have 40.3 XDs (no subs) and had a chance to compare them side by side in the same room, with and without the RELs turned on.

Its crazy how big those little boxes can sound.

My opinion is that the 30’s would be the way to go in your space and you might not need the subs. You could always add a pair of smaller subs later if needed.

Your volume control will tame them. 

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