Are Harbeth S HL5's As Good As Reviewers Claim?

Extravaganza, your view is very consistent with what those that love them say (and there seem to be many that agree with you), and yet there are those who react like Jerry Siegel....

Like all things, components, speakers, room need to be tweaked so that optimimum performance can be acheived.
I have no problems at all with my SHL5 producing air, detail, soundstage, etc... if ever to nitpik the shl5, i wish it was more dynamic without giving up the fullness, i wish it can go lower in bass and slightly tighter. And a little (just little) refinement in the highs. But other than that, I can just live with them as is.

Wow, the 10 Audio.com review could not be any worst. First, when people talk about high frequency depends on you as a person can you hear it or not, equipment, and room accoustics. My neighbor can't hear the high frequency like I do he has to boost it and I have to cut it. His hearing is fine mine is better. How is your room accoustics, what type of stands, what cables, what gear etc, all has to work in harmony and I bet there is no better speakers. I use Mcintosh tube and solid gear, Accuphase Digital, Harbeth 7ES 2 on Sound Anchor, Isoclean power with Super in/out, Kubala power cables, au24 speaker cables, Nirvana interconnect, Acrilic Stand. And I hear all the air in the world, the mid is perfect and the bass I don't need a sub bass goes low to the mid 30's easy. So when I hear that Harbeth doesn't sound good tell me what kind of accoustics and equipment you have and I will tell you if you can hear what I hear. Also keep in mind some people like bright sound and therefore a Harbeth is not for you, Harbeth is about natural sound.
Angel