Spendor D7 vs. Harbeth Super HL5+

avanti1960,
WOW, great comparison! Did the SHL5+ need much break in? Mine are at 100-150 hours of break in and I believe they are getting better although Harbeth states that they need very little break in.

These are my first Harbeths. I have mixed feelings with them. This is why I'm considering the Spendor D7 or D9. I currently own the Ascend Acoustic Sierra Towers and, as of now, prefer them to the Harbeths. The Ascends have more sizzle and snap up top and I prefer this but am looking for a more costly speaker like the Ascends that can give me more refinement than the Ascends can. The softer, more natural presentation of the Harbeths is different for me and may take a while to adjust to. I'm not sure yet so I guess I'm looking for more musicality in a speaker similarly designed to the Ascends even though the Ascends sound musical to me.

I am using a Conrad Johnson LP70s tube power amp which I don't want to change. This is the amp that I'm using for comparison. Also, I own the Conrad Johnson ET250s hybrid power amp. This amp brings out some solid state shrillness in upper end of both speakers so I don't use for comparison.

I do have the Harbeths towed in less and, as you stated, there is an emphasis on the midrange. I'm happy with the bass as I have them paired with a subwoofer. They are about 28" from the front wall. I do not have more space to move them further out into the room. There is plenty of sidewall space. I don't have a boomy situation except for a handful of recordings.

Thank you for your continued input.

WOW! Thanks guys for the tremendous amount of information. At present I still have the Harbeth's hooked up and they are sounding better (I think?). I purchased them new and I didn't hear any difference up to 100 hours. They now have approx. 150 hours on them and I am hearing a little more opening up of the two tweeters. A little more sizzle & snap as I prefer. Harbeth states in their manual and online that their speakers require very little break in (several hours) except for the supertweeter. Maybe they're right but I am enjoying them more. Also, I bought a brand new interconnect which went into the system when the Harbeth's were reaching 50 hours of burn in. As for the Spendor D7, I decided to purchase a brand new pair of Focal Kanta No. 2 towers from TMR Audio who also are selling brand new pairs of Spendor D7's. I will be starting a new discussion: Harbeth Super HL5+ vs. Focal Kanta No.2.
Thank you all for your comments!