Harbeth SHL5.....R they worth it?

dhart86

Hey guys....L'm a bit of a homer in that all the speakers I have are Polks. (Lsim 705, Modded SDA 1C, modded monitor 7's and 5's.) Guess I just dig the polk sound.

I have been thinking about moving to a different brand speaker and the Harbeth SHL5 seems to be the ones I'm most interested in. Can't find a dealer local to demo a pair, but I'm intrigued.

So I am wondering if any one here has any experience with Harbeths and specifically the model mentioned.....if so please give me you thoughts

EndersShadow

@steveinaz

steveinaz

I have the model down from that, the HL Compact 7ES-3. They are fairly large for monitors---about the size of Lsi9's but a bit wider. The SHL5 was just too expensive for me at the time. Harbeth's have the most natural sounding treble/midrange I have ever heard. Voices are PERFECT. Zero nasal sound, but the sweetness is still present. In short, they've been a "search is over" kind of speaker for me. They have a touch of warmth, but IMO, not to the degree expressed by some. My 7ES-3's are 3db down at 46Hz, so I use an SVS PB12-NSD crossed at 45Hz to supplement bass---I doubt the SHL5 will need much help in that regard. Harbeth's have a way of playing extremely "clean" without ever sounding sterile or boring.

steveinaz

Here's a pic:

dhart86

Steve,
thank you very much for your insight. Everything that I've read and heard about these have me intrigued and your listening experience continues to confirm what I have heard. I just put in an offer on a pair of SHL5's in Eucalyptus.

I like the look of the sylan stands......what height are yours. That is a very nice looking speaker, btw. Glad you've "allegedly" found your end-game speaker.

steveinaz

Not sure of the height off-hand, but they were the height recommended by Skylan for the 7ES-3. Skylans are pricey, but I highly recommend them.

Female voices are just phenominal. The balance between tweeter/midrange portrays the most accurate rendition of the human voice (and consequently the entire midrange) I've ever heard. Extremely organic and real that doesn't sound like a "reproduced" human voice.

[Deleted User]

I was just eyeing Halbeth last night again.
I've been looking at the 30.1 but do not want to buy a speaker sight unheard...

dhart86

I know rednedtugent....that is the smart approach, guess I am a bit of a calculated risk taker

dhart86

BTW any body interested in fully modded SDA 1C's or modded monitor 7's? One pair may become available soon.......

steveinaz

I got VERY lucky with my pair of 7ES-3's. I found a guy in Phoenix who basically has big speaker turn-over (fussy and wealthy I suspect) that I got my like new pair from, for $2400! They were, and are, MINT. Not a single flaw. At that time they were retailing for $3650/pr in Cherry. Harbeth agreed to continue to honor the warranty when I registered with them, since the pair was so new.

voltz

I like the looks of Harbeth speakers and what I have read about them, and I could get my ears on some that are only 70 miles away at acoustic sound. I've been envious of Steve's speakers for awhile

Now some Polkie just bought some SHL5 not long ago on here.

Its @audiocr381ve and @TSWisla who both have the SL5's

[Deleted User]

@voltz should I pitch in for gas?

voltz

I could drive by and pick you up Red, you may need a few extra days to get there and back to your house.

Polkie2009

voltz wrote: »

I like the looks of Harbeth speakers and what I have read about them, and I could get my ears on some that are only 70 miles away at acoustic sound. I've been envious of Steve's speakers for awhile

Now some Polkie just bought some SHL5 not long ago on here.

Its @audiocr381ve and @TSWisla who both have the SL5's

Hiya voltz, I was going to mention audiocr381ve, bought some sweet Harbeths awhile back.

[Deleted User]

I like mine, very much!

[Deleted User]

@KennethSwauger which ones?
As my musical tastes and ears are changing,
I've become detail crazy.

[Deleted User]

The Super HL5 30th anniversary version with OFC internal cabling.

[Deleted User]

I followed the trail here last night:
http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/

dhart86

steveinaz wrote: »

I got VERY lucky with my pair of 7ES-3's. I found a guy in Phoenix who basically has big speaker turn-over (fussy and wealthy I suspect) that I got my like new pair from, for $2400! They were, and are, MINT. Not a single flaw. At that time they were retailing for $3650/pr in Cherry. Harbeth agreed to continue to honor the warranty when I registered with them, since the pair was so new.

Steve,
the seller just accepted my bid of $3200 from audiogon for what is described as a "like new condition" pair The photos looked to show as much. Only thing that scares me is that the have to be shipped from Calif. to NJ

Hope I can get Harbeth to honor the warranty on these

PS....this pair was apparently bought right before the release of the SHL5+ version.
So I wonder what the difference is between the original version and the + version

dhart86

KennethSwauger wrote: »

I like mine, very much!

Ken you opinion is highly respected around these parts.....would love to know what you like the most about your set

[Deleted User]

I really like being able to put together, inside my mind, what was going on when a record or tape was being originally recorded. As I listen to something I play a little game with myself and try and piece together where everyone, in the recording, was when the original was made. The more information I can glean from the system the more I enjoy the experience. I try and hear as much live music as possible and when I do I think about what I'm hearing and how its "picture" is being recorded inside my head. Sometimes I'll just stop what I'm doing and listen to what's going on around me. I just pay attention to the sounds happening around me.
I moved my main system from a fairly large room to a smaller room with less than flattering room dimensions (12' x12') so I had to put away my ML CLSII speakers and find something smaller. I used to sell the Rogers LS35a speakers and liked the whole BBC monitor idea of driver research. So I started there and found the Harbeths to do what's important to me, sound real.

steveinaz

$3200 is a heck of a deal on SHL5's. Just make sure they are double-boxed and well insured.

dhart86

Thanks for your comprehensive insight, Ken

dhart86

steveinaz wrote: »

$3200 is a heck of a deal on SHL5's. Just make sure they are double-boxed and well insured.

got my fingers crossed.....Asked seller to insure and double box

Paradoxex

Make sure PFB isn't drop shipping them to you by proxy.

I made a pun.

tonyb

dhart86 wrote: »

steveinaz wrote: »

$3200 is a heck of a deal on SHL5's. Just make sure they are double-boxed and well insured.

got my fingers crossed.....Asked seller to insure and double box

Cool man, congrats. Can't wait to hear your impressions.

steveinaz

Prepare to find out what it is your system has been missing, that you just couldn't quite put your finger on....

GlennDog

After reading this thread, it makes me want to visit my local Harbeth "boutique" dealer, that's open like.... Hardly Ever! .... appointment only
I'll bite my tongue and make an appointment

WagnerRC

Congrats on the purchase

dhart86

[/quote]
Cool man, congrats. Can't wait to hear your impressions.

Congrats on the purchase

[Prepare to find out what it is your system has been missing, that you just couldn't quite put your finger on.... /quote]

Thanks everyone.....I'm excited to see what I haven't been hearing!

txcoastal1

Harbeth is probably the speaker that I have wanted to demo the most that has eluded me.

The Austin dealer was at LSAF, but disappointingly he did not bring any Harbeth's
Congrats