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Joseph Audio Perspective2 vs Harbeth SHL5+

I currently own Harbeth SHL5+ and I’m generally very happy with them. I’m driving them with Audio Hungary a50i tube amp (50 watts class A) and don’t feel that the amp struggles at all. I have an opportunity to buy a used pair of Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene in excellent condition. Just wondering if anyone has had a chance to compare the JA Perspective2 with SHL5+. From what I understand they sound quite different but I’m not sure how. The Perspectives are obviously quite a bit more expensive than the Harbeths but I understand that this doesn’t automatically imply that they are better. Someone told me that the Perspective 2 is more in Harbeth 40.x league instead of SHL5+.

As good as the SHL5+ are, I do sometimes yearn for a wider and deeper soundstage with bigger bass (although I have a pair of REL S/510s to supplement). I would really appreciate if people who have made the move from SHL5+ to JA Perespective2 Graphene, or vice versa, can share their impressions.

Note: My room is 20 x 15 with 12 foot high ceilings. The speakers will be placed along the short wall. I can pull them out by 4 feet from the front wall and about 2 feet from the side walls. My room is treated with GIK panels. My biggest concern is whether my AH Qualiton a50i will be able to drive the Joseph Audios well.

 

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Showing 2 responses by arthur1260

arthur1260
38 posts
 

I fully agree with the treatment, it made a big difference to my listening experience.

about vocals I wouldn’t worry, they are the best I’ve heard on Pulsar, I imagine the same for Perspective :)

Best is to go listen to them, and in case they don’t have treatments you can try to listen near field, at least for vocals it helps eliminate unwanted effects of the room, good luck!

arthur1260
38 posts
 

I use Pulsar 2, and had been running them on a PrimaLuna Evo400i.

now so moved to Feliks Envy preamp into a Benchmark AHB2 power amp.

I believe they moved up to a whole other level in precision, especially bass, imaging, instrument separation, everything sounds better. Due to their low sensitivity Joseph speakers require a lot of power and I believe, while your A50 will make them sing nicely, you might feel the bass a bit lose. 
I’ve tried many speakers, Klipsch Heritage line, Tannoy Cheviot, Piega, Dynaudio, Dali, but the pulsars driven properly were the most amazing for me.

they need to fire down the long wall, they have huge energy, though if the short wall is long enough it would probably work as well. Positioning is key, they need space behind and from the side walls.

Someone I know moved from Harbeth to Pulsars and they are most satisfied.

cheers

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