Harbeth SHL5 Plus XD UPGRADE

What is the rest of your system?  I’ve owned several Harbeth models and it’s hard to beat the SHL 5’s in that price range if you are still looking for “British” sound. I’ve owned Trenner and Friedl, chartwells and Audio Notes, but I honestly can’t say they were upgrades. All excellent speakers. Your improvements may be better made elsewhere. Depends on what you have now.  Also, what stands are you using with the Harbeths?  

I went from Super HL5 Plus 40th Anniversary to Compact 7-ES3 30th Anniversary.  The same great Harbeth sound, less bright, more cohesive, as good or better imaging, not much smaller.  For me, moving down the line was an "upgrade".  I use subwoofers, so there's that.  You will give up some, but not much bass response with the Compact 7s.

Another British contender is the Wharfedale Dovedale 90th Anniversary speakers. I've had a pair for a few months now and I enjoy them quite a bit. There is a used pair on US Audiomart right now.

Look at Graham Audio. Most ex-Harbeth owners who tried the Grahams never looked back.