Speakers known for great midrange.

I hear the Harbeth quality control can be hit or miss. 

I must agree with the comments about Harbeth speakers - which have great rich midrange, well controlled bass and superbly clear, smooth highs.  I have both the 30.1's and the 40.2's - which sound very much alike, as do the 3PSR's.  When driven properly, they sound a lot like the Quad ESL-57's - which are the best.  

While I prefer them driven by the SS Hegel amps (H590 in my case) as demoed by Harbeth at most shows, they can also sound superb with selected great tube amps - which may even give them an even more real, live sound - just depends on the specific set up.  

Salk audio Exotica Raal Monitors.  I use them with a Pass XA - 25.

Wilson Audio Duette.

@big_greg 

I'm also wondering whether metal drivers are finally coming of age.

As you say, it's difficult to describe the sound, but words like precise and clean come to mind.

+1 for HARBETH

Sample reviews of the 30.2XD

THE LISTENING

Harbeth’s Monitor M30.2 XD is a loudspeaker with a very easy listening feel; there’s some gentle midrange warmth that seems to add to rather than diminish the sonic experience. Still, it’s pretty transparent all the same, meaning that it favours good recordings where it stays out of the way more than you might expect. It certainly doesn’t sugarcoat bad recordings, that’s for sure. In addition to this, the Harbeth shows real musicality; it accurately handles rhythms and dynamics, whilst never shouting at the listener…. I heard outstanding midrange clarity and excellent smooth integration with the treble, producing realistic tones.

The new version of Alan Shaw’s Harbeth Monitor 30.1...is the best compact two-way speaker system I have ever heard, regardless of design type, cost, or complexity. The Monitor 30.1 is a constant joy and pleasure to listen to, consummately natural, unbelievably beautiful."

- Paul Seydor, theabsolutesound.com

Spendor 1/2s without a doubt...insanely musical and "right" sounding. That's why I own 2 pair and will never ever sell them.

Spica TC-50

I love my Harbeths and also have KEF Ref 1 which have very good midrange and incredible imaging.

A friend completely re-did his system recently and has a pair of the Joseph Audio Pulsar2 Graphene speakers with a Pass Int-60.  I'm a little jealous of his system.  Not only does it have great midrange, but spectacular imaging and the combination is incredibly "fast".  When a note stops, it stops.  When there's a space between notes, it's black.  Pitch black.  Black hole black.  Hard to describe, but once you hear it, you can't un-hear it.

Harbeth is a good match with PASS, but it will be a bit "laid-back", not in a bad way, it will work very well with acoustic, vocal, jazz, classical, however if you're into AC/DC or Metal music types, it will not be a good match. My opinion as I own the Harbeth 30.2s and almost went with a PASS with them.

@mr_m  - but then you'd really need four 901's, one in each corner and then play Dark Side of the Moon at full volume with a 200 watt 4-channel Pioneer receiver from 1982....not that I ever did that of course.....

Dynaudio Special 40 and the Pass a nice match. Not syrupy but a huge fun factor. 

30.2's, AudioNote Hemp, Spendor 1/2s, Have enjoyed them. Not syrupy though.

I think what you are looking for is a resonant cabinet design. I have a pair 

of old Spendors with my INT25. 

Trick question.  The answer isn't a stand mount and it takes more than the INT25 to drive the planars that  set the standard.  :) 

These are luscious. Fritz is a sweetheart and he does trials.

A 3way with a good midrange driver. Harbeth is a popular choice. 

Harbeth, really any BBC lineage speaker, Audio Note to name a few.

So those looking for excitement won't be diappointed, Tekton has amazing mids in their flagship models.

Harbeth, they are all pretty good. never disappoint. almost every time i hear them at audio shows they are an oasis of musical ease and envelopment. tonal density extraordinaire.

with a the right amp.....don't really know your Pass, it might be perfect.

Well, you said a stand mount!

Bose 901's...

Any of the old LS3/5A's (Rogers, Chartwell, Goodman's, KEF...) will more than hold their own against any of today's four-figure stand mounts! The BBC sure knew how to design small box speakers! I have the Rogers (serial # around 27,000).

wait for the hydrant to blow open in three two one... 🤣