Are Harbeth S HL5's As Good As Reviewers Claim?

This answer is not to evade or act smart it's just true. I've been listening to natural sound since birth. I am very familiar with the sound of real acoustic instruments in my own listening room. I've purchased box and panel speakers. I've gotten to listen to speakers from manufacturers I could never hope to afford (while considering their little brothers) in acousticly treated rooms with first rate electronics. So, finally, the context I am basing the end of my quest on is the TRUTH of Sound I hear in my room with my electronics with the Harbeth SHL-5. I have not said they are the best. I can say they are the best for me and I recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone who askes. Sometimes you just get lucky.

There is no doubt there are many owners of the HL5s that love them. I glad you found you cup of tea.

You know, there is a lot of people worldwide that can claim the shl5s as one of their final speakers & I couldn't blame them.
Are they perfect, no. But for some, it is as good as it gets especially at this price point.
I myself have not upgraded to other speakers in the last 3-4 years.
Each day of playing time it gets better and better.
Would I welcome other speakers in the future ? probably ? but for now, the shl5s will stay in my room.

Are the Harbeth's tube friendly, or is SS preferable with them?

I appreciate that there are many that love the Harbeth sound? I myself have never been blessed with the opportunity to hear them. I'm wondering if any of you have compared the Harbeth sound with that of say Tannoy dual concentric speakers, especially that of the vintage 12" gold variety?

What would be the differences in sound that I could expect, or for that matter, what are the similarities in sound that I could expect?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.