from Harbeth 30.1 to SHL5+, an upgrade or lateral move?

I had SHL5s some years ago and didn't really like them - I found them rather soft and woolly sounding, particularly in the bass. I sold them and moved on to something else for a few years.

More recently I came to hear the M30.1s and ended up buying a pair. I love them. They are far more neutral and natural sounding than the SHL5s in my 4 x 5m room. Bass is not all that deep, but it is tight and rhythmic. The M30.1s are also more extended and cleaner in the treble, and the midrange is more refined and more transparent.

So, personally, I would consider the SHL5 a downgrade from the M30.1s. But I wouldn't discourage you from hearing them - they may just be what you are looking for. But I agree with others that an amplifier or source upgrade may be a better option.

The M30.1s are truly amazing speakers and I would be interested to know why you are feeling the urge to upgrade them.

"Do you experience the same on your 30.1 pair? I am using Quad 99 and 909 for it. "

I mainly listen to classical and jazz. I find the soundstage perfectly fine, but then soundstage is not something that concerns me too much.

I also find the bass to be satisfactory. Obviously, the 30.1s do not go very deep, and a bigger speaker or subwoofer would go much lower. But I don't find the bass with the 30.1s "weak" or "thin".

As others have suggested, it could be an amplifier issue. I'm not familiar with your Quad amps, and I'm using Exposure (MCX preamp and 3010s2 power amp). It might be worth trying another ampllifier to see if this improves things.