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Something other than Harbeth SHL5

Don't get me wrong. I love my Harbeths, but they're all I've owned for a long time and it was Spendor before that. I've got the itch to try something new.

Budget around $8000 new.

Room size is 14.5 feet x 25 feet. Listening "area" is in one half the room.
Amplifier is Audio Hungary Qualiton A5i. Tube amp, 50 wpc
Primary source is FLAC and DSD files to PSAudio DirectStream Dac
Subwoofer is MJ Acoustics Reference 100 set at a roll-off of 34 Hz.

My musical tastes are classical, large-scale choral works, symphonies, along with solo piano, also organ (rumbling the floor). Some jazz, female voices, and a little opera, again female voices. I love good imaging, life-like sound, large soundstage, and the disappearance of the speakers. I like the feeling of being there, without going deaf. I feel like I have to play the SHL5s loud to make them come alive.  I'm very sensitive to upper frequencies going too harsh/bright.

I auditioned Audio Note AN-J in a studio and they blew me away in the way that they disappeared.  Detail, and soundstage were magnificent. However, I thought I heard a little graininess is the mid-range at one point.

I've also read a lot of reviews and did hear some samples on YouTube (I know, I know) of Audio Solutions Figaro M, and they did sound magical. They're simply not available in South Florida, so I will not be able to audition them. But there is definitely something going on with those speakers.

Has anyone heard all 3 or two out of 3 to give me some opinions? Thank you!

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arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,592 posts
 

Do you have the SHL5 or the SHL5 Plus? If the former, then maybe trying the plus version will bring you closer to your goal. I found a huge difference between the two. 

Now if you already have the Plus version, IMO, it’s hard to beat under $10k.

 

 

celtic66
1,609 posts
 

Love British bloodline speakers.  My wife’s speaker below run with Luxman 509X and appropriate front end.  They sit atop Sound Anchor Stan’s with Herbies Fat Dots.

 

rsf507
2,222 posts
 

Maybe Joseph Audio Pulsar's haven't heard them but have listened to their bigger brother the Perspectives which were amazing. I've read they are very similar except don't go as low but with your sub shouldn't be an issue. 

ryder
1,682 posts
 

I feel like I have to play the SHL5s loud to make them come alive. I’m very sensitive to upper frequencies going too harsh/bright.

As what Arafiq mentioned. Older SHL5 is slightly spitty and harsh in the treble in comparison to SHL5 Plus. It may be worthwhile to try the SHL5+ without losing the smooth and warm midrange of the Harbeth. The Plus version sounds smoother at the top without the glare and grain in the treble, and the bass is hugely improved and slimmed down with improved definition and detail.

The Graham equivalent is another good alternative to the Harbeth with a rather similar sound signature but with slightly more open, expressive and nuanced delivery.

With human voice reproduction, there are not many modern speakers that can match British BBC speakers, in my limited experience.

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