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Is my room big enough for the Harbeth HL5's?

My room is 12 ft. x 15 ft. with 8 ft. ceilings. I do have corner bass traps and absorbent panels on the side walls for the first reflection point. I own the 7es3 right now and they work very well in this room.
The problem is this. I heard the hl5's at Fidelis this weekend in a room a little larger than mine and fell in love right away with the hl5's. I am currently using a Bryston 4bsst (which I will probably be selling soon for a warmer amp. I am also using a DeHavilland Ultraverve lll which I love. I will most likely buy the hl5's. Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
128x128johnc5

Showing 2 responses by erikminer

erikminer
433 posts
 
I'd keep the 7es3 and look at upgrading the rest of your system, I've heard 7es3 with tubes and they sounded amazing. FWIW I recently owned, and sold a pair SHL5.. didn't really care for them, heresy I know but that's why we don't just have vanilla..
erikminer
433 posts
 
When you listened to the SHL5 at Fidelis did you do a direct comparison to the 7es3? I ask because as you say you fell in love with the SHL5, but what you need to keep in mind is that you fell in love with them at Fidelis, in their room, with their gear.. Being as the 7es3 has the newer Radial 3 woofer and is a newer design if it was my coin I'd want to hear them head to head before I made the switch. At least you'd then know what it is you prefer about the SHL5 over the 7es3, or if it's their setup. And FWIW I don't think your room size is an issue at all. I used mine in a room 15' x19 and I never felt like the room was the problem.
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