What Is So Special About Harbeth?

I have the 30.1’s and the 40.2’s driven by the Hegel H590 integrated DAC/Preamp/Amp... and... they are superb for classical, jazz, country... all things acoustic. You will find very few speakers that can match them when driven by matching electronics - which means Hegel, or McIntosh MA252 or MA352, or similar high current SS amps with high damping factors. Their bass and lower mids need the control provided by a high current SS amp.

They sound very similar to the Quad ESL57’s - the best speaker there is for that type of music. When I first got them, I was not impressed and would not have kept them had I not purchased the Hegel integrated - which is the amplification Harbeth demos them with at shows. It makes a noticeable difference - in their resolution, clarity, dynamics and detail. I also supplement them with the Townshend Super Tweeters, which I think helps them a bit with detail resolution, clarity and air.

They’re mids and lower mids / upper bass are superb - very rich with wonderful presence. Some call it "warm." They will not give you the ear piercing highs of a BE or Diamond tweeter - they have more natural highs. And... though they do sound fine at low volumes, they really need to be driven to produce their best clarity, dynamics and detail. Unless you really are a basshead... you will find their bass very good - so long as driven with a high current SS amp. They’re best with other components that are not voiced with a "warm" sound.

Though - if you are a "rocker" you will want JBL or Klipsch - which will provide you greater impact and a bit faster, cooler bass and mids, while still sounding great with the types of music noted here.

While the SHL5+ will have greater treble emphasis and maybe a bit faster bass, the 30.1’s, 40.2’s and P3ESR all have a very simiar sound, with the P3ESR being superb for nearfield listening in small rooms. The others have a bit too much bass for smaller rooms. If you are wanting to try them... you might start with the P3ESR’s in a smaller room (e.g. say 10x12, or so), though they will sound great in a bit larger rooms. The key is the matching electronics.

This will give you a great idea of the sound that we’re describing - mine sound very much like these:

Well... If I were going to spend as much as some of you have suggested for the 40.3's... I probably would go for the ATC-100's... because they are so transparent, and the clarity is superb.  I'm uncertain, if they have as much "magic" (rich, weighty sound) as the 40.2's / 40.3's... 

Although, as I sit here and listen to the 40.3's just now... they do have a very real tone, timbre and texture with strings, and horns - it is difficult to imagine much better.  

Does anyone here know if the shl5 plus xd was a big improvement over the shl5 plus. I can source a last pair of the plus version, still new in box.

also how does the dome tweeter sound on the shl5, the initial tweeter not the super tweeter. 
thankyou

@acdvd, the big improvement for the shl5 was going from the non-plus to plus model. The subsequent models (40th Anniversary and XD) only had small incremental updates. If you have a good deal on the plus, I would go for it.

I had the opportunity to buy the SHL5+ or the XD and chose the +.  The XD model was too smooth and laid back to my ears, more like the 40.2.  It did have excellent bass.  

The 5+ is clearer and more detailed yet still a smooth, warm speaker overall.  

The tweeter is very well integrated with the woofer and never bright or harsh. 

I love the sound of the 5+ .