I haven't been this excited in a while!

I still haven't swapped back to the Wilsons.  These Harbeth have been more enjoyable by far than any of the newer/bigger Wilsons I had.  Tonight I tried something for the excessive bass....rolled up some dish towels and plugged the ports.  Initial assessment is this was a success.  It clearly reduced the bass energy and cleaned up the sound.  I ordered some actual foam plugs off Amazon and also emailed Harbeth to get their blessing.  I don't believe there is any risk to do this, simply not likely recommended by Harbeth.  Assuming that there is no risk, I suspect that this is not recommended because you are expected to place them properly in an ideal space, but if your space is not ideal then it is a reasonable adjustment to tailor the sound.  My Hsu Research home theater sub has two ports and Dr. Hsu provided two plugs to make those adjustments.  At some point, I will move the Wilsons back but have just been enjoying these Harbeth.  

Also, I need to strike my comment above as upon further vinyl listening, I was incorrect, sometimes the Harbeth also sound better on vinyl.  

Things are not looking good at the moment...bet the excitement is starting to dwindle...hmm, So, let us fix it.

Return the Harbeth within the return window and replace it with a Yamaha NS5000. Its a great speaker with a similar form factor of a Harbeth. But Instruments will sound like Instruments again with the Yamaha (something you never had befote). Harboth doesn't know about stuff like that. Yamaha is a brand with unmatched engineering aptitude and extreme knowledge of Instruments, since they design/fab all your musical instruments as well. Further, you can't even compare the exquisite fit and finish of rhe Yamaha to the Harbeth garage diy box.

Next, let us tackle the brightness and pain that Wilson might have caused you, .

Well...the following is a good strategy if you are outside return windows...

a) talk up the speaker, sing praise on a few threads and get the merry-go-round riders excited for a Willson purchase.

b) Very quietly, slip your wilson into the classifieds section.

c) Wait for some excited lad to buy it

d) Get the cash and buy a PS Audio FR10, FR20. FR30, etc..i.e. one of those with the ribbon midrange. It has a lot of real detail, etc and is a hifi speaker, but it is also enjoyable. Bright sounding stuff posing as detail is not real detail (one of the cheapest tricks) 

You should be in good hands thereafter.

It is very obvious how I have lost the detail which the Sophias gave. The voices and instruments are not as focused...everything is kind of smeared in the soundstage. With the Sophias, on a really good recording the vocals were so realistic and made you feel like the artist was there. I didn’t take note of the albums but there are some which the Harbeth also are super impressive in how musical and realistic they sound.  

I feel that I am still early in the adjustment phase of not only setting up the speakers but also my ears and brain getting used to the sound.  

I know that with the other Wilson speakers, it was an immediate NO. They were bright/hot in my room and there was no denying this, it was annoying and no amount of positioning had any effect on this sound.

You have a great looking system and congrats on branching out in other directions. My journey went through a few B&W speakers back in the late 90's and varied pretty widely. Two speaker brands I've really enjoyed over the years (on my progression towards higher efficiency speakers have been Verity Audio and Devore Fidelity. I did work with a Wilson and Magico distributor years ago and have had The WP8 and the Sophia in my home, but long ago. 

I recently had the Harbeth C7es3 and found the sound to probably be a bit more detailed than you are describing from this older, and from my understanding, warmer earlier versions. I was really impressed with them. The detail retrieval was there but the annoyance and tension that the upper mids and treble was really non existent. 

I would pull them out a little, move your set back if you can. Also when nobody is around if you have WAF issues, take some blankets and pillows and toss them in the corners behind the speakers. It's easy and a fast way to change the sound and experiment a little, as this seems like what you are doing. It will look awful but just close your eyes and listen for differences. I've used the bass "bungs" they're called to plug the ports, but have always worked with position for better results when possible. 

Have fun and enjoy!

I have really been enjoying these speakers.  I swapped back to the Sophias for the first time yesterday.  I spent most of the day listening to music.  I suspected this would happen and it did....now the Wilsons sound bright on some material.  Some albums still really impressed me like they have for years but overall I did not feel like I had been missing anything.  In the evening, I switched them back and as of now, the Harbeth are preferred.  I am very fortunate to have had this opportunity and glad it has worked out.  This is the first time that the Sophias are over in the corner in time out haha.  

@deep_333 

Those Yamaha speakers are certainly beautiful and it would be a joy to audition those.  There is no return window on my gear as I only buy used from individuals.  Ironically, my worst experience on my Wilson journey was when I bought some from one of their top dealers.  I will keep your recommendations in mind but am not ready to make either of those moves at this time.

@bjesien 

Appreciate the kind words.  I am single so there isn't anyone to please but myself on the aesthetics.  I have loaded up the bench with blankets and pillows and will see if I hear a difference...thanks for the easy idea.  Those green triangular pieces behind the speakers are GIK bass traps.  The bungs have toned down the bass slightly and I like how it kind of cleans up the sound.  Harbeth was nice and responded to my inquiry saying this is definitely a great way to tailor the sound.  The lady said they will add this to their FAQ section.

Great hearing your impressions. The tension between fast / detailed vs more natural and musical is an ever present variable that it is easy to loose track of by "auditioning equipment" and turning on your analytical side. If you get led by the analytical side you can easily be drawn to detail and sonic theatrics... and along with way loose the emotional connection. For me that has been true. I now have a system with all the detail... but it is not out in front leading... it is in its proper place and the music leads the way. It draws me in instead of putting fast transients and crisp transitions in my face. Jazz is laid back and causes me to fall into it. Sounds like those speakers may have moved you in that direction.