The exceptional neutrality and outstanding vocals of the speaker make it a pleasure to use. I have it in a small to medium sized room. I use them with Nordost Heimdahl 2 cables. As with any premium audio equipment, go listen and come to your own conclusions. For me, I decided years ago that once I was done putting my kids through college I would treat myself to a pair of Harbeths. A quarter million dollars later, I kept that promise to myself. Loren Reale

They don't look very interesting. It's all about the sound. I will say this, the wood veneers are amazingly seamless in the cabinetry.

Great natural sounding loudspeaker that will have you listening to your music collection again to appreciate the nuances. Stunning sound! A large speaker that works in almost any room that is set up up for sound....large or small.

Use this acoustics less than a month with components Triode.
Great sound.
Have a claim to the quality of the veneer.

I recently replaced my Apogee Duetta Reference with a pair of Harbeth Super HL5. Waving goodbye to the Apogee's was a very sad. I listen to them during the last 7 years. But I certainly renewed my interest in listening to music at home because of the speaker-size and my three children.

When auditioning these speakers first, I was impressed of the dynamics and the soundstage.
Guitarmusic and voices are very clear an natural.

The focusing and airiness are absolutely the highlights of the Harbeth. One can say same concerning the resolution and transparency too!

Also at home in my room with woodfloor the soundstage is enormous and transients are fast and clean.These loudspeakers present piano and percussion in a realistic manner and they are fine at voices. They go into quite a lot of detail whithout loosing music.

Highly recommended.

I hear the Harbeth with transistor- and tube-amps. They sound fine with an old Hiraga (L'Audiophile Le Class A).

Summary:
Good soundstage. Clear.

Strengths:
Control. Resolution.

Weaknesses:
Expensive.

Similar Products Used:
Apogee Duetta Ref.
Audio Agile "Step"
Audio Physic "Caldera"
Thiel CS 3.6
Thiel CS 3.5
pat "Bolero"

Being 52 years old, I've owned more than half a dozen speaker systems with hi-fi combos as well, for the last 30 years. I reached the end of the trip by finding the SHL5s. No need to spend more time & money. If you are a concert hall visitor and music enthusiast, you'll realise that these BBC tradition followers are -to their price point- the most honest & natural reproducers around, with any -and I mean ANY- kind of modest & honest amplification. Simply wonderful speakers for music lovers! Of course, I have to admit that I'm a "British Sound School Lover", to be frank...
You don't have to analyze everything to understand the philosophy of Harbeth. Just understand that they are continuing making fine speakers since the 70's, approaching the average consumer, nothing more.
They support their product, they care about customer feedback. Today, in the midst of international financial problems & crisis, one should severly consider how important is the fact to have an incredible hi-fi speaker system at this price level at home, of course if you're serious about music.
And Harbeth has done it. Not only with their SHL5s, but with all their models.
Thanks for reading, I really didn't want to get into deep tech discussion and terms...

These speakers are so well balanced, you will NEVER EVER talk about highs, lows, mids, but only about the end result: the music. Even when you listen at 60cm away from the speaker you can't identify whether you hear the woofer or the tweeter or the supertweeter, so seamless is the driver integration. Designer Allan Shaw balanced these speaker to perfection : always full sounding, but not slow or heavy, never harsh but not at all veiled, always dynamic but never upfront or iin your face. Only a natural soundstage with artist in front of you.
I drive them with about 200W's of transistor, and this works great, but because of their ease of drive they also seem to respond well to 2x30W of tube power , or 2X50W with transistors.
Very, very recommended, and quite nice looking with the Canadian SKYLAN-stands

Sound just natural. Nothing is pushed. Nice finish.

Does not need large amp. 50w does nicely, 100w would be better I guess but still sings at 50w.

Very easy to place. Works in small rooms.

Large stand mount so need special stands which can cost alot.

WAF low. Not the slick looks of more modern designs.

I have purchased a pair in the Tiger Ebony finish and it looks great.

I first heard these speakers at a friend's house and found that it was of nothing special. Nothing stands out.

After sometime, I realise that it is this quality that is outstanding of this speaker.

I went around listening to various other speakers of the same value but they all do not sound natural.

Yes some do give better base, some better treble but none natural sounding.

Customer Service

Best service I EVER got from ANY shop. Tropical Audio in KL Malaysia is No1 in service.

As for Harbeth they offer quick reply when I mail them and they have a nice user forum where the designer Alan Shaw gives his insights and quick replys.

Similar Products Used:

Owned
AE Aegis 1
Epos M5
Q acoustic 1010
Q acoustic 1030
Q acoustic 1010c

Auditioned before purchase
Harbeth C7es3
Focal Electra Be 1007
Dynaudio Contour S1.4
B&W 805
ATC SCM 11

The Harbeth Super HL5 speakers simply sound terriffic. A moderate listening levels they are smooth, deep and true. At higher listening levels, the soundstage is wide, clear and precise. These speakers grow on you, and the more you listen, the more you'll come to appreciate their subtleties and strengths.

The Harbeth's are rated at a 150 watt "program". Not quite certain what that means, but am using the Super HL5"s with a Musical Fidelity A3.5 integrated amp rated at 150 watts. Harbeth specs suggest amps with between 25w and 150w. Most magazine reviews, like the manufacturer themselves, reccomend 50w amps, or there about. The weakness is in the confusion. Harbeth posts pictures of damaged speaker cones driven by too-powerful amps on their web site to caution against too much power. But then, aren't speakers driven into clipping from too little power? These are wonderful speakers, and a clearer specification would eliminate this question.

Highly reccomended speakers from a maker with a long track record of audio excellence. These vintage looking speakers have a wonderful mid-range, stunning treble and solid bass.

Customer Service

The Harbeth Users Group reached through the Harbeth web site is quite useful.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 603S3
B&W 704
Gallo Referance 3