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Harbeth SHL5 compared to Merlin VSM ?

How do these compare for midrange purity on vocals,
even poorly recorded ones that may be too close-miked
without sounding mechanical or distorted?

I also want to avoid shrieking-sounding female vocals (say,
Diana Ross/Supremes) or pumping, loose bass.

Looking for something that can be somewhat forgiving
of older pop/rock recordings without driving me up the wall
(say with Beatles, Motown).
Aerial 10Ts and Apogees used to be very good at this,
along with some classical.

I am no longer looking for a bag of Audiophile tricks that
seem to make the speakers listenable only on very-high-grade
recordings. I just want to use my good old CDs
(on an EMM SE digital front end with an Edge NL12.1 amp).

Other speaker suggestions are welcome too.

Thank you very much for any help.
rgs92
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
If you want purity in midrange and tight bass then add ATC to your audition list.
Your choices above seem good - Harbeth's are warm and the bass response leans to the loose side of the spectrum but it may make many of your recordings pleasant sounding.
underdog
43 posts
 
I have owned both speakers but in two totally different systems. I think for the money the Harbeth's are hard to beat.
rgs92 OP
974 posts
 
OK, thanks for the ideas; someone else mentioned
ATC.

Hey Underdog, you have a nice system--
I heard those Temptations about 10 years ago at (the late) Soundex in Willow Grove PA, and still remember it as maybe
the best sound ever (on a female vocal). And the Dartzeel
electronics made for another of the best of the best
driving Von Schweikert VR9s an the NY HE show a few years ago.
So you sure have good taste.
bblilikoi's avatar
bblilikoi
99 posts
 
Having heard both only at CES/THE Show, my preference for vocals was the Harbeth HL5 as I heard them with Resolution Audio digital and amplfication. The Merlin VSMs with Joule Electra monos were a clear choice in terms of piano music, liquidity, purity of movement through the upper midrange to treble. However, Harbeths sounded better for vocal music. Both excellent speakers, of course. YMMV.
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