Harbeth 30.1 ? The Ultimate Speaker under $5K ?


I have been on a mission lately to find the best speakers within my budget - under $5K ...I am definitely an audio freak and my sound engineer in LA told me we went to a HiFi convention of sorts in Newport and heard every high end boutique speaker there is and hands down the Harbeth 30.1 was the best...thought it was a live band as he turned the corner into room ! 


Local hiFi high end shops always push whatever they deal....guy near me recommends Paradigm Prestige 95s but the seem more for home theatre use...here's my profile: 

I listen MOSTLY to LPs (stream on occasion with Audioengine B1)
Marantz PM-11S1 Mono Block Amp
Sony STR-V7 Amp
Technics SL-15 
1 SVS SB1000 Sub (if necessary) 
My listening room : is approximately 15 feet from Hifi to sitting position, wood floors , pitched ceiling about 10-15 feet in spots ...entire room approx 30 feet across . I consider it a VERY live, reflective space. 

I am a drummer so I love fat , tight kick drum. Rock i.e.: Rush , Prince, old 70s / 80s fusion/Jazz  
I listen to all different volume levels, sometimes low, sometimes I turn up music very loud and crappy speakers always seem to lose definition at high volume . 

I currently have some NHTs 2.3 & Infinity IL60s for surround....

Is the Harbeth 30.1 too small of a speaker for my spot?  what do you guys recommend! Thank You !
tommypenngotti

Showing 12 responses by mrdecibel

A pair of Klipsch Lascala ( I own ), ( or Belle, if you can find a pair ), with a few modifications and updates, will certainly take care of every desire you want, and, you already have a subwoofer ( although I prefer a pair ). The Heresy and Cornwall are good choices, but not in the league of the Lascala ( I also own a pair of Heresy 11 fully modified in another room, and have owned Cornwalls ). Maybe a used pair of the Lascala 11 might come up for sale. Try and listen to a pair somewhere ( I am in central Fl. ) Lot of info on the Klipsch Forums. Enjoy ! Mr. D.
@tom_hankins If you read above, the OP did audition the SHL5s and gave his impressions. He would consider them, used, and would use a sub with them. Enjoy ! MrD.
I never rely on anyone when they say " blows them out of the water ". It is all opinion, and I disagree.  Crank any drum recording, such as the Sheffield drum record to peaks of 110 db, and they will fall apart. It depends on what you want. But, like the larger Harbeths, worth a listen. Listen to as much as possible, because each of us are different in what we want. Enjoy ! MrD.
@tommypenngotti, I believe the Tekton DI, based on what I have read, and I have read it all, would be an excellent choice. To be clear, I still have not heard them, but the descriptions by owners and reviewers has me to believe they are as satisfying as can be, especially at the price. In fact, although I never posted on the Tekton threads, I would finally like to listen to a pair, and believe me when I say, I am very happy with my current system. With a money back guarantee, all you would be out is the shipping cost back, if it came to that. I am tempted myself. Enjoy ! MrD.
d2girls, really ? I sure hope you are joking. You do not want to get me started, and embarrass you yet on another thread. Enjoy ! MrD.
Tommy, I would like to truly apologize to you, as, some of my content does not make this thread a sharing and learning experience for you. This is what the "Gon should be about. Enjoy ! MrD. 
I am sure Tommy has vacated this thread, not just from the 2 of us, but others. I am sorry Tommy. Enjoy ! MrD.
Might not need subs with the Tekton DI, although he does have one. Many Tekton DI users, based on my readings, do not use subs. It has been my experience that a pair of subs, in most rooms, benefit greatly over a single sub, and in much larger rooms , 4 or more subs are ideal. Enjoy ! MrD.