Having heard both only at CES/THE Show, my preference for vocals was the Harbeth HL5 as I heard them with Resolution Audio digital and amplfication. The Merlin VSMs with Joule Electra monos were a clear choice in terms of piano music, liquidity, purity of movement through the upper midrange to treble. However, Harbeths sounded better for vocal music. Both excellent speakers, of course. YMMV.
Harbeth SHL5 compared to Merlin VSM ?
How do these compare for midrange purity on vocals,
even poorly recorded ones that may be too close-miked
without sounding mechanical or distorted?
I also want to avoid shrieking-sounding female vocals (say,
Diana Ross/Supremes) or pumping, loose bass.
Looking for something that can be somewhat forgiving
of older pop/rock recordings without driving me up the wall
(say with Beatles, Motown).
Aerial 10Ts and Apogees used to be very good at this,
along with some classical.
I am no longer looking for a bag of Audiophile tricks that
seem to make the speakers listenable only on very-high-grade
recordings. I just want to use my good old CDs
(on an EMM SE digital front end with an Edge NL12.1 amp).
Other speaker suggestions are welcome too.
Thank you very much for any help.
even poorly recorded ones that may be too close-miked
without sounding mechanical or distorted?
I also want to avoid shrieking-sounding female vocals (say,
Diana Ross/Supremes) or pumping, loose bass.
Looking for something that can be somewhat forgiving
of older pop/rock recordings without driving me up the wall
(say with Beatles, Motown).
Aerial 10Ts and Apogees used to be very good at this,
along with some classical.
I am no longer looking for a bag of Audiophile tricks that
seem to make the speakers listenable only on very-high-grade
recordings. I just want to use my good old CDs
(on an EMM SE digital front end with an Edge NL12.1 amp).
Other speaker suggestions are welcome too.
Thank you very much for any help.