What amplifier for Harbeth HL-5?

After almost 3 weeks getting accustomed to the SHL-5 with the speakers almost completely run-in, I begin to appreciate the finer qualities of the Harbeth after prolonged listening sessions. This may have been repeated many times before, but in the simplest choice of words, the Harbeth SHL-5 presents music in a wholly natural way without any listening fatigue. The midrange has a nice warmish feel and the highs are sweet, smooth and extended. Although there lies a super-tweeter in the SHL-5 that in the mind of some folks would extend the high frequencies in having more clarity and detail, the speaker is not the last word in transparency. The treble does not sound as airy and extended as some speakers I’ve owned or listened to. However, this is neither a disparaging comment nor criticism towards the SHL-5 as the lack of transparency and detail can be seen as a favorable trait that may appeal to listeners with specific listening preferences. This particular inherent characteristic of Harbeth speakers, I believe, has been fundamental in creating a zero listening fatigue which in my opinion is vital in contributing towards the musical enjoyment with many hours of listening pleasure.

The coherency of SHL-5 again never ceases to amaze me. Of all the speakers that I have owned previously, the SHL-5 does everything right and very little wrong. If there is one minor flaw that I can pick on, it would be on the low frequency reproduction. The bass on the SHL-5 does not seem to go as low as some other speakers I have listened to but this is not a bad thing. I have used a PMC TLE1 subwoofer with the SHL-5 to great effect and it complements the speaker nicely. The last amount of tight deep bass from the sub albeit just a little produces a more solid bass foundation when used with the speakers. I reckon this would not be an issue with the larger M40.1.

I am extremely pleased with the sound I’m getting with the SHL-5. I recently manage to run the Plinius in Class A and the sound become even more sublime. This Harbeth speaker is the best I have owned so far and I don’t think I’ll ever find another pair that can surpass the sonic performance I’m currently getting. Different maybe but certainly not better.

Glad the Harbeths have worked out for you. Your findings seem to mirror mine, even though our systems are different.

I totally subscribe to Ryder's comments, with one exception. In my room (something like 14x17, perhaps a bit more), and with my system, I find the bass to be more than adequate, and I definitely do not feel the need of a subwoofer. This is an amazing speaker, especially for someone who considers some audiophiles' obsession for detail to be totally anti-musical (or something that goes against what hi-fidelity should be all about: getting as close as possible to the real thing).

Ryder - My preliminary findings with my newly acquired M-40.1's are similar to what you describe as most notable characteristics with the SHL5's, with the exception of bass response. I'm looking forward to getting a bit more top end extension and sparkle once my Skylan stands arrive and the 40.1's are properly dialed in. Bass response with the 40.1's is quite robust, full and nicely detailed... I definitely won't be in the market for a subwoofer as long as I have these speakers!

Pdreher, I hope you will get the Skylan stands soon and have the M40.1's properly set up before carrying out a proper evaluation on their sonic performance and actual capabilities. I might have been too critical on the bass performance of the SHL-5 in my earlier post with my nit-picking. I also find them to be excellent in the bass department that is more than adequate for most material. It's just that by reinforcing the low frequencies just a tiny bit produced a subtle but appreciable difference to my ears. I can still live with the speakers without a sub for sure.