Monitor advice...Duke 2 or Harbeth

[RAVICCHIO]

Looking to add some monitors to my arsenal. Have floorstanding already. Heard the Martin Heritage Duke 2 at the last show and loved them. Also looking at the Harbeth 30.1's. Main objective is a monitor that is fast
but very very smooth sounding. Albsolutely NO sibilance or grit allowed. Female vocals must be presented with no bite. Too smooth and things get boring but my wife is very sensitive to any siblane or grit. As I mentioned, I already have some other speakers that do other things well. Any advice is appreciated. If someone has the Duke 2's or anything from the Heritage line please chime in. The Harbeth are easy to demo, the Matens are not.
Running all tube front end. Is there a 30.2 on the way?
Thanks Ron

 

[Mike]

Hi Ron - welcome to Audioshark! If the main objective is a monitor that is fast, I don't think the Harbeth fits the bill. "Fast" is not how I would describe Harbeth (and I'm a huge Harbeth fan).

The "fastest" monitor I've ever heard is the Raidho D1's.

I have not heard the Marten's, but I have heard the larger Marten's and they are fast and musical. A friend of mine JUST bought a pair and he loves them.

 

[RAVICCHIO]

Yes, I agree the Harbeth are not as fast sounding. Hard to balance a smooth sound with some detail and speed,

 

[Mike]

Yes, I agree the Harbeth are not as fast sounding. Hard to balance a smooth sound with some detail and speed,

The Raidho D1's are book shelf speakers I know that are super fast and smooth sounding at the same time. The new Focal Sopra 1's are fast and highly resolving and might be worth a listen as well.