Harbeth SHL5 vs Dynaudio Special 25 vs...

I once owned Special 25s and Condfidence C1s. I now own NHT Xds, which include an amp. I love Dynaudios, but the NHTs are in a different league altogether in every aspect.

I have a pair of SHL5 which I love it very much while playing the vocal, solo or piano. Regarding the bass, I am not so impressed (my previous speaker is Dunlavy SC-IV, the bass is better/powerful). I am not sure if this is position problem or how sensitive the speaker to the positioning or maybe because the AMP.

I am using DNA-1 deluxe as amp and I wonder what kind of AMP is good for SHL5? My budget will be 2-6,000 for the amp. Could you please share your experiences, thanks.

Wshuang,

Your dna 1 is fine for the SHL5s. Its not a problem. Whatever amp you put in your SHL5 it just wont have the same bass as the bigger dunlavy. Just no way unless you put them in a small room. Even then the bass of the bigger Dunlavy will still be more weighty and taut compared to the harbeths.
However, the mids of the Harbeths may be better than your Dunlavys. No speaker is perfecct, its always a compromise.

You can always extend the bass of the SHL5 with a subwoofer.

I listened to the Dynaudio Confidence C1 and I think that is by far better thanHarbeth SHL5 and Dynaudio 25SE in every aspect. I don't know nothing about the NHT.

Nikos.

Wes Philips at Stereophile reviewed the Dynaudio Focus 140 ($1,800.00) and (if you read carefully) you can see he actually likes the 140s better than the 25s he owns. I've heard the 25s at a store and also thought them a bit clinical. Very resolved, though. I was told by the store owner they need and like lots of power.

I had Harbeth C7-2s and found them a bit thick and "pulled back", if you know what I mean.

Tom, what did you replace your Harbeths with?