Vandersteen Treo vs Harbeth 30.1


Anyone compared these two speakers? They are the same price and each brand is well respected. I have heard the Treos but have never heard the Harbeth. How are they similar...likewise, how are they different in their presentation. My impressions of the Treo was that it was a bit on the warmish side. Nothing spectacular but a very inviting and involving speaker that drew me into the music in a subtle way. I have heard similar comments about the Harbeth but something tells me they have a completely different sound. Am I correct?
randyhat
"Take what I just wrote with a grain of salt. Vandy fanatics will blame my hearing, the amp, the front end, the cabling, the speaker rake angle, flat head and low brow, and so forth."

I'm a Vandy fanatic myself. You left out one possibility, and that is you just may not have liked the Treo's. That's the way it goes. Except for Bose, I can't name 1 speaker brand that all audiophiles agree that they like.
You're very kind Zd .... I think speakers are the hardest part of our hobby to get right -- a personal and subjective choice at best. Flipping an amp or pre or a TT can be challenging, but heck, the stuff comes in a box. Most of the time 50 pounds or less. In with the new ... out with the old.

Speakers are balky beasts. Aahhh. I would love to audition 3 or 4 other brands that are on my bucket list. I'm just not inclined to run around to different B&M stores to audition speakers. Also, I think it's really bad form to take up a salesperson's time if I intend to buy preowned anyway.
Have not heard the vandersteens but have heard the harbeths, and depending on
your listening preferences (hard rock, jazz, classical?) the harbeths are outstanding, but if loud and punchy is something you require, I would avoid them. However if a quad electrostatic is the type of speaker you appreciate, the Harbeths are the best choice. I think they are an incredible speaker and would satisfy most music lovers.