Harbeth M40.1 vs. M40.2 vs. M40.2 Anniversary Edition vs. M40.3XD

@donquichotte it seems from your assessment, I’d likely be safe with any iteration of M40.

@jjss49 i can’t thank you enough for the comprehensive comparison. I scoured forums for days and I’m glad I asked. I read in one review of the XD, that they are much more “tube friendly” than previous iterations. I was hoping to keep my ARC REF 160M’s as I do love them.

@noromance will investigate Spendor

@pdreher 40.1s sound like my kind of speaker! Would save $ too:)

@audio_bidder

I read in one review of the XD, that they are much more “tube friendly” than previous iterations.

i wouldn’t think so... the differences, if any, are minute

my sense is that alan shaw has become quite a shameless spin-meister in his old age, i must say

UPDATE! @pdreher @jjss49 

I picked up a pair of M40.1 in cherry. Not the rosewood I preferred but still nice. 
 

I’m loving them! They give me that familiar glorious midrange that my P3ESRs have. Vocals and acoustic instruments just make me fall in love. And there’s such authoritative bass, I’m not used to this. They’re sounding bottom heavy but that might be because my other points of reference really struggled to produce much, if any impact. 
 

Really appreciate all of your guidance. This is the most satisfying my system has sounded. I thought there were inherent issues with my room but now I believe my room is just fine. I’ll eventually get some 40.2 Anniversary in here and keep whichever I like more. But for now, content. 
 

@audio_bidder Congrats on your purchase.  If I had to do it all over again, I would have kept my 40.1's and passed on the 40.2 Anni's, as the two are very similar and I think I found the 40.1's more enjoyable than the 40.2 Anni's, 

Congrats. I've heard the 40.x in the New York Audio Show and they were pulled halfway into the room to tame the bass. Suggest you try the same.