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

Pretty extreme spectrum of reactions, I wonder how much is personal taste, and accompanying amp. Seems like one of those speakers (perhaps true of most)is one you must hear to know if it is for you - seems like it could easily go either way.

My answer will be:YES, they are good as reviewers claim.They put many well known speakers manufactures to shame.The highs of ShL5 is the best ,comparing in this price range .They sound very very very realistic,not soft, not harsh,not exaggerated.The problems lay in other speakers,which exaggerates bass,or highs.We are so used to sound with rubber effect.The question will be,have you ever heard in reality guitar,bass,violin or other instruments sound like rubber?These speakers for me is perfect,they do everything right,they perfect balance between monitors and floorstanders.They produce all sound spectrum and don't mess intruments like other speakers.And most important ,i don't have to crank volume up to sound good.What I noticed is:having these speakers i started repeat many songs again and again,sometimes one song for hour or more >I am very glad,having these i fell in love with music :)

It's all personal taste and the ROOM that they're in.

Extravaganza, your view is very consistent with what those that love them say (and there seem to be many that agree with you), and yet there are those who react like Jerry Siegel....

Like all things, components, speakers, room need to be tweaked so that optimimum performance can be acheived.
I have no problems at all with my SHL5 producing air, detail, soundstage, etc... if ever to nitpik the shl5, i wish it was more dynamic without giving up the fullness, i wish it can go lower in bass and slightly tighter. And a little (just little) refinement in the highs. But other than that, I can just live with them as is.