In this review, we will be comparing P3ESR XD2 and Evoke 30, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Harbeth and Dynaudio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Harbeth P3ESR XD2 and Dynaudio Evoke 20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Harbeth P3ESR XD2 | Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 1.1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" RADIAL | 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 75-20k Hz | 40-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 83 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-50 watts | up to 180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.10kg / 13.4lbs | 9.90kg / 21.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12-1/16" x 7-1/2" x 7-1/4"
306.0 x 190.0 x 184.0mm | 15" x 8.5" x 12.1"
380.0 x 215.0 x 343.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Harbeth P3ESR XD2 and Dynaudio Evoke 20 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both P3ESR XD2 and Evoke 30 are 2-way speakers.
Harbeth P3ESR XD2Dynaudio Evoke 20
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 7-inch
|
P3ESR XD2 features a 0.75" Ferrofluid-cooled dome Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" RADIAL Woofer. On the other hand, the Evoke 30 features a 1.1" Cerotar with Hexis Tweeter and 1 x 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3200Hz.
Frequency Response
P3ESR XD2 has a frequency range of 75-20k Hz whereas Evoke 30 has a frequency range of 40-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Evoke 30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the P3ESR XD2's min frequency of 75Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
P3ESR XD2 and Evoke 30 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. P3ESR XD2 sensitivity is rated at 83 dB and the Evoke 30's is at 86 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Dynaudio Evoke 20 a more sensitive speaker compared to Harbeth P3ESR XD2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Evoke 30 can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS, whereas P3ESR XD2 has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS, 130 watts less than the Evoke 30.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
P3ESR XD2 features Binding post type posts and Evoke 30 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Dynaudio Evoke 20's Binding post terminals
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Harbeth P3ESR XD2's and Dynaudio Evoke 20's external dimensions. Harbeth P3ESR XD2 has external dimensions of 306.0 x 190.0 x 184.0mm (12-1/16 x 7-1/2 x 7-1/4inch) whereas Dynaudio Evoke 20 has external dimensions of 380.0 x 215.0 x 343.0mm (15 x 8.5 x 12.1inch).
Dynaudio Evoke 20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 74mm taller and 159mm deeper than Harbeth P3ESR XD2.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is approximately 349.6cm2 / 54.2inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Evoke 20 is approximately 737.5cm2 / 114.3inch2. The P3ESR XD2 requires 53% less surface area than the Evoke 30 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Harbeth P3ESR XD2 weighs 6.10kg / 13.4lbs and the Dynaudio Evoke 20 weighs 9.90kg / 21.8lbs. This makes the Evoke 30 62% heavier than the P3ESR XD2.
Here is a comparison of how P3ESR XD2 and Evoke 30's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Evoke 20?
Here are the items that come with the Evoke 30:
 Height |
306mm
vs
380mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
349cm2
vs
737cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
3790USD
vs
4798USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
50 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
83 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 |
| Brand |
Harbeth |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
15-50 watts |
up to 180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
83 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
75-20k Hz |
40-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
RADIAL |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1.1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
3200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
306.0mm (12") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Width |
190.0mm (7.5") |
215.0mm (8.5") |
| Depth |
184.0mm (7.2") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Weight |
6.10kg (13.4lbs) |
9.90kg (21.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
A generation apart: Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 digs deeper - 40Hz against 75Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 is more sensitive (86dB vs 83dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
B |
Dynaudio Evoke 20 takes more power (180W vs 50W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is easier to place; Dynaudio Evoke 20 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price |
A |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is cheaper - $3,790 against $4,798, about 21% less. |
A Harbeth P3ESR XD2
B Dynaudio Evoke 20
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Dynaudio Evoke 20 leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 75Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Harbeth P3ESR XD2 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Harbeth P3ESR XD2 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Dynaudio Evoke 20 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.