Joseph Audio Perspective2 vs Harbeth SHL5+

@prof  and @arthur1260 -- thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed and helpful replies. I truly appreciate it. The truth is that I'm quite happy with my SHL5+ and have come to appreciate the qualities that Harbeth brings to the table -- and I say this after owning and auditioning several speakers. That's why it has been such a difficult decision. But like @prof said, there are always tradeoffs. And sometimes the only way to find out is to try something in your own house. I will try to listen to the speakers in the seller's house as best as I can, but I understand that it's not quite the same as experiencing in your own setup. Unfortunately, buying from a private party means I can't just return the speakers if I don't like the sound. It's unfair to the seller.

I also want to address the concern regarding which wall (short or long) is going to be more suitable. Keep in mind that even the short wall is 15 feet wide, and I can easily place them about 2.5 feet from the side walls and 4 feet from the front wall. Given the layout of the room, and the fact that it doubles as a media room as well, I don't really have a choice but to utilize the short wall for this purpose. However, I have had other speakers in this room and I feel the short wall just works well. IMO, distance from the front wall is much more important than the side walls, especially for rear-ported speakers. Plus I've treated the first reflection points quite well. But I guess there's only one way to find out. BTW, my SHL5+ sound fantastic in the same position.

Reading the responses above, my fear is that I might lose the amazing vocal reproduction and that special texture that made me fall in love with Harbeth in the first place. I just hope I don't end up regretting my decision. But it's encouraging to read all the other qualities that JA Perspectives bring to the table. I also don't like thin sounding (especially in the midrange region). That's the reason I never liked Focal or B&W type of speakers. Not saying that they are thin sounding but they do sound that way when compared to Harbeth or other BBC-inspired speakers. If that turns out to be the case, then I definitely know I wouldn't be able to live with them long term.

I'm going to go listen to them on Friday. I'll keep you guys posted. Again, thank you for your very helpful feedback.

... get the Townshend podiums, they get rid of all the room problems so you won't have to waste time putting up all that crap around your room.

Sorry I disagree. While I don't doubt that Townshend podiums are great for controlling vibrations, but to say that they somehow make other room treatments redundant is silly and illogical. You still have to treat the room, especially the first reflection points and corners. Anyone who is using only podium type tweaks and not paying attention to properly treating the rest of the room is not getting the most out of their systems.

@avanti1960 If I remember correctly, do you (or did you) own JA Pulsars that replaced your SHL5+? I see exactly where you're coming from. I tried a lot of speakers, some more expensive, but there's something about the Harbeth sound that makes me go back to it every time. But I have heard a lot of great stuff about JA Perspective2's and going to take a risk. Worse case scenario, I can sell them and buy another used pair of SHL5+.

I fully agree with the treatment, it made a big difference to my listening experience.

about vocals I wouldn’t worry, they are the best I’ve heard on Pulsar, I imagine the same for Perspective :)

Best is to go listen to them, and in case they don’t have treatments you can try to listen near field, at least for vocals it helps eliminate unwanted effects of the room, good luck!

Have listened to the SHL5+ and they always sound nice even on not so nice recordings so to me they are not accurate. I'd prefer accuracy and the Perspective2's is the better speaker IMHO