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Joseph Audio Perspective2 vs Harbeth SHL5+

I currently own Harbeth SHL5+ and I’m generally very happy with them. I’m driving them with Audio Hungary a50i tube amp (50 watts class A) and don’t feel that the amp struggles at all. I have an opportunity to buy a used pair of Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene in excellent condition. Just wondering if anyone has had a chance to compare the JA Perspective2 with SHL5+. From what I understand they sound quite different but I’m not sure how. The Perspectives are obviously quite a bit more expensive than the Harbeths but I understand that this doesn’t automatically imply that they are better. Someone told me that the Perspective 2 is more in Harbeth 40.x league instead of SHL5+.

As good as the SHL5+ are, I do sometimes yearn for a wider and deeper soundstage with bigger bass (although I have a pair of REL S/510s to supplement). I would really appreciate if people who have made the move from SHL5+ to JA Perespective2 Graphene, or vice versa, can share their impressions.

Note: My room is 20 x 15 with 12 foot high ceilings. The speakers will be placed along the short wall. I can pull them out by 4 feet from the front wall and about 2 feet from the side walls. My room is treated with GIK panels. My biggest concern is whether my AH Qualiton a50i will be able to drive the Joseph Audios well.

 

128x128arafiq
vdotman's avatar
vdotman
145 posts
 

Apples vs oranges. The Harbeths favor that British sound typically characterized by a wonderfully clear but slightly mellow midrange while the JA’s are all about speed, transparency and soundstage; not as meaty as the Harbeths through the midband. I had the Perspective2’s and unfortunately I couldn’t get them to work well enough in my room. Subsequently I tried the Pulsar2’s and they were not my cup of tea. I actually like the original Pulsars better, but I’m a British speaker guy at heart so that would make sense. My current speakers, the Graham Audio LS5/9’s, do the trick for me. I compared them head to head with the Pulsar 2’s, and while both have their strengths, at the end of the day I preferred the Grahams, but that’s me. Your taste may differ.

prof
3,474 posts
 

awesome arafiq !

I can't wait to hear whether I'm full of sh*t or not!  :-)

 

prof
3,474 posts
 

vdotman,

What was the problem with the Perspective2s in your room? Bass bloat?

I have the original Perspectives in a 13’ x 15’ room (with a large opening to a hallway). Mine are pulled out about 4 feet from the back wall. I get nice even sound with just the occasional bordering on bass emphasis.

I intend to upgrade to the graphene drivers and my only hesitation has been if the purportedly more powerful bass response may pose a problem in my room, even though the originals have worked great.

bassdude
497 posts
 

@callmedre

Agree - Harbeths require powerful SS amplification to sound their best - such as the Hegel amps Harbeth uses to demo their speakers at shows.

I’ve got the 30.1’s and 40.2’s and they sound superb in all respects with the Hegel H590.

Though... I have heard the Harbeth SHL5+ sound "as good as it gets" driven by the Finale Sesto tube amp!

To me... Harbeths sound so much like the "king" (Quad ESL-57's) - that I have accepted them as one of my favorites (perhaps the favorite) - in the context of "all things acoustic."

ryder
1,690 posts
 

As good as the SHL5+ are, I do sometimes yearn for a wider and deeper soundstage with bigger bass (although I have a pair of REL S/510s to supplement).

 

You will likely get that with modern speakers but it will need to be fairly high quality to match if not surpass the strengths of the Harbeth.

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