Yeah, the early books are better for me now that I know what's coming, because I appreciate the early character and world building that come to fruition later more than I would on their own, and because it's easier to excuse the simplistic or (for me) overly cute bits since I know that will change.

I'm liking the narrator so far, though I've listened to very few audio books so I haven't yet cultivated my taste. It's the Steven Frye narration because I heard a few people complain about how the other guy does Hermione's voice. She's way too important to me to risk that. But I'm still so early in the story, we'll see how it goes.