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Spendor D7 vs. Harbeth Super HL5+

Anyone who has heard both? Comparisons? I own the Harbeth. Curious about the difference with the Spendor. What brand and type of amp used. Thanks!
routeman21
avanti1960
1,402 posts
 
FYI the SHL5+ as well as other Harbeth models (including the larger M 40.2) sound best when treated like nearfield monitors, e.g. an equilateral triangle arrangement.   sounds more detailed and focused and yields the largest sound stage.  
avanti1960
1,402 posts
 
another thought, the D7s were less forgiving on bright, harsh or difficult recordings making them tough to take.  
Harbeth runs the fine line between detail and forgiving like no other speakers I have heard.  
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
I own Spendor D7 for past year. They are not bright at all. They are neutral. I purchased them after demoing about two dozen other speakers over a six month period. The D7’s were the best, including beating other contenders up to $10k (Focal Kanta, B&W 804, Paradigm Persona, etc.). I am very happy with them, so much so that I later purchased the D1’s for my second system.

I have posted many opinions on them on A'gon that you can search if you like.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

Heard the SHL5+ in one system, and I actually found them rather bright.  In the same system/room I preferred PMC Twenty/24's.

Different system/room.  Heard the Spendor D7 vs. Spendor Classic 100.  No contest.  The Classic 100 was far superior in every way, full-bodied, balanced, impactful.  D7 sounded malnourished and unnatural in the treble by comparison (perhaps it wasn't fully run in).

Heard the Harbeth 40.2 in a third locale and loved it--either it or the system/room had a very different presentation to the SHL5+.  Going on aural memory alone, preferred the 40.2 by a short head to the Classic 100.

arno3
12 posts
 
Hello, I own the shl5+ for about 4 years now. I can't compare with the spendors but I can say that at first I wasn't happy with the sound they produced at my place. I found out that they are extremely sensible when it comes to the stands you put them on. I tried several, none of them worked for me. Now I made a pair of stands myself and they sound wonderful. Fast, realistic, tight base, detailed, engaging sound. Don't give up on shl5+!
Best results with a Mcintosh 6850.
I have 30.1 with skylan stands, a billion lightyears away from the. Shl5+. 
Sorry for my bad ENGLISH!


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