Short answer: the Cerwin Vega LA165. It ranks #91 of 105 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $269.99; the Harbeth Monitor 30 ranks #92 and costs $3200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Harbeth Monitor 30: Sensitivity of 85dB and a 6-ohm nominal impedance (150W handling) make it reasonably easy to drive despite the impedance dropping to about 4.8 ohms at points. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows a significant on-axis dip starting around 3kHz at the crossover point, which the reviewer called “the classic engineering work of calling a defect a feature” rather than the intentional character it’s often described as.
On the Cerwin Vega LA165 side: Passive bookshelf design with decent internal cabinet damping/batting material for the price. The tradeoff: Overall tonal balance is far from neutral: a 2-3dB cut through the vocal fundamental range gives a hollow midrange, while a dip around 2-4kHz removes attack, snap, and clarity from snares and other transient sounds.
Buy the Cerwin Vega LA165. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harbeth Monitor 30 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 105 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harbeth Monitor 30 | Cerwin Vega LA165 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3200 | $269.99 |
| Ranked | #92 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #91 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 7.9" bass/midrange driver, 1" soft dome tweeter | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Weight | 25.6 lbs / 11.6 kg each | 26.5 lbs / 12 kg |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 10.9"W x 10.8"D (460 x 277 x 275 mm) | 13.7"H x 8"W x 12.4"D (348.0 x 203.2 x 315.0 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs ATC SCM19
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs ATC SCM19
- Danley SH50 vs Triad In-Room Gold LCR
- BIC America DV62si vs Harbeth Monitor 30
- Tannoy Revolution XT 6 vs Cerwin Vega LA165
The Two Speakers In Full
Harbeth Monitor 30: $3200
Pros: Sensitivity of 85dB and a 6-ohm nominal impedance (150W handling) make it reasonably easy to drive despite the impedance dropping to about 4.8 ohms at points. Wide bandwidth 2-way design with a 7.9” bass/midrange driver and 1” soft dome tweeter.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows a significant on-axis dip starting around 3kHz at the crossover point, which the reviewer called “the classic engineering work of calling a defect a feature” rather than the intentional character it’s often described as. Predicted in-room response is uneven with an exaggerated tilt toward high frequencies. Step response shows the tweeter and woofer out of phase with each other. At $3,200 per pair, the reviewer concluded the price doesn’t match the measured performance.
Full Harbeth Monitor 30 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 10.9"W x 10.8"D (460 x 277 x 275 mm) |
| Drivers | 7.9" bass/midrange driver, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 25.6 lbs / 11.6 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Cerwin Vega LA165: $269.99 Amazon
Pros: Passive bookshelf design with decent internal cabinet damping/batting material for the price. Delivers noticeable mid-bass punch around 100-120Hz, giving a sense of kick and impact that fans of the brand’s traditionally punchy sound may appreciate. Horizontal radiation of about ±60-70° lands in the reviewer’s preferred range for soundstage width. Reasonably priced at around $270/pair.
Cons: Overall tonal balance is far from neutral: a 2-3dB cut through the vocal fundamental range gives a hollow midrange, while a dip around 2-4kHz removes attack, snap, and clarity from snares and other transient sounds. An elevated upper treble region adds a sibilant, edgy quality (though not as extreme as some pricier speakers with similar issues). The manufacturer’s quoted 33Hz-20kHz frequency response is essentially meaningless without a tolerance bound - actual measured extension is closer to an F3 of 67Hz and F10 of 47Hz, roughly 19dB down at the claimed 33Hz. Measured sensitivity (about 86.2dB) runs several dB below the manufacturer’s 90dB spec regardless of which impedance figure is used to convert it. Significant modal ringing in the midwoofer cone, confirmed by testing the driver in isolation, ties directly to elevated distortion and resonances around 700Hz-1kHz from a cone-edge/surround mismatch. Multitone distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold at 96dB, adding graininess through the midrange and upper-mid. Unusual compression behavior shows the treble actually gaining level (rather than compressing) under both long-term and instantaneous testing - an atypical and not particularly desirable trait. Directly compared to the similarly-priced Polk XT20, which the reviewer considers clearly superior in linearity, distortion, and bass extension.
Full Cerwin Vega LA165 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.7"H x 8"W x 12.4"D (348.0 x 203.2 x 315.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs / 12 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons