Why Harbeth in 2026?
At both Brussels HiFi Shows, my Harbeth demonstrations surprised listeners when compared with systems costing ten to twenty times as much.
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Among the public and the three journalists present alike:
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Voir & Emouvoir (France): ‘A favourite!’
The Ear.net (Netherlands): ‘Best sound of the show!’
Vox Auris (Belgium): ‘Exceptional!’
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Traditional design and technology, prices far removed from the usual high-end territory… many people have questions.
Why do so many people buy Harbeths after owning Wilson Audio, Avantgarde, Marten, Estelon, B&W 8xxD… all much more expensive loudspeakers?
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Mike Bovaird, the head of Audioshark, sold his Wilson Audio Alexias (€61,500) for Harbeth M40s. He says:
‘With the Wilsons, what is wrong is simply the tonal colours. They are “off”.
Not by miles, but compared with the accuracy of the Harbeths, they are simply not quite right…’
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On the LS3/5 forum, one person owns both Harbeth M40s and Wilson Audio Watt Puppy 8s. These are his conclusions:
‘The 40.1s deliver much more substantial, much higher-quality bass than the Wilsons, which seem to roll off much higher, well short of the scale, substance and harmonic richness of the Harbeths. Admittedly, the Wilsons’ bass is fast, clear and dynamic, but the Harbeths’ bass is in a different league. The Harbeth midrange is clearly more natural than the Wilsons’. Voices sound truer, more fleshed out and more tangible. The Wilsons’ treble extends a little higher: they sound brighter, but listening to the Harbeths makes even that treble seem slightly artificial. Once again, the 40.1’s high-frequency range is more natural.
Finally, in terms of neutrality, the Harbeths leave the Wilsons behind: the Wilsons tend to sound rather similar from one recording to another. They are a little “systematic”. Overall, to my ears, both are beautiful to listen to, but there is a clear feeling of moving upmarket when switching from the Wilsons (which I like very much and have ultimately decided to keep in my living room) to the Harbeths. And yes, speakers costing €13,000 a pair can sound far better than “universally acknowledged audiophile references” costing €33,000 a pair!’
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For my part, Harbeths are the only loudspeakers I was already offering 20 years ago that I appreciate a little more every day.
I grew tired of all the other brands, sooner or later…
How can such a result be explained?
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Harbeth was founded almost 50 years ago by Dudley Harwood, chief engineer of the BBC’s Research and Development department, to share their expertise and knowledge with music lovers and enthusiasts.
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There are many technical reasons for their listening qualities.
Their new Radial driver, developed in collaboration with several UK universities, underpins their unique sound.
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The technologies used by other manufacturers in so-called ‘modern’ loudspeakers include:
- non-parallel walls (to limit standing waves)
- contoured shapes with chamfered edges and narrow baffles (to limit edge diffraction)
- very rigid walls (to limit resonance)
- and, ideally, a design developed within the past year to benefit from the latest technologies!
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Yet Harbeth does exactly the opposite:
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- rectangular cabinets: these can be modelled precisely, allowing complete control over the distribution of their natural resonances.
- thin MDF panels: these avoid resonances in the upper midrange, where the ear is most sensitive.
- continuous crossover optimisation over several decades, resulting in exceptional linearity. Here are the SHL5s:
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And they continue to impress, year after year.
At the Las Vegas show, Jana Dagdagan, a writer for the American magazine Stereophile, said:
‘You have convinced me: the next pair of speakers I buy will be Harbeths!’
In very high-end systems?
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After owning B&W 802 D3s and Eystelons, Mr D. in Overijse chose SHL5+s.
He uses two systems. The first consists of an Accuphase E-600 amplifier (€10,490), an Accuphase DP-720 CD player (€16,990) and an SME turntable with an SME V arm (€12,000) and a Dynavector XV-1s cartridge (€5,000).
The second system uses Pass 600 monoblocks (€32,500), a Musical Fidelity Primo preamplifier (€8,500) and a Metronome transport/DAC combination.
What can I say? One of the most beautiful listening experiences of my life…
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There are many similar examples: here are Harbeth P3ESRs in a €200,000 system with KONDO GAKUON 2 amplifiers and an M1000 MK2 preamplifier, with an ESOTERIC P1 + D1 source!
Another example with MBL monoblocks:
Press reactions to my Harbeth demonstration at the Brussels HiFi Show:
Interior integration: classic or modern?
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A selection of SHL5 press reviews
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tested the XD:
“A little over three months ago, I commented that it would be nice to have a pair of speakers that were easy to pack up
and return to the manufacturer after the review.
It turns out this was not going to be easy at all. I am purchasing the review pair. What better endorsement can there be?”
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« Never, regardless of price or design, have I heard such an extraordinary loudspeaker. Never have I heard a speaker so capable of letting the music speak for itself and revealing the artistic qualities of the music and its performances. Never have I heard speakers so accomplished in the fundamentals of music reproduction: tonal accuracy, rhythm, phrasing, articulation, parsing, dynamic flow, recreating the hall, positioning instruments and defining the ambience of the recording venue. Everything is produced with such convincing ease and naturalness that becoming immersed in the music is as simple as breathing!” The Stereo Times
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« The best stand-mounted loudspeakers…« SoundStage
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‘They have the kind of soundstage I thought possible only from Dual Concentric loudspeakers or panels such as Quads.
Yet the Harbeths’ image focus is better than that of any electrostatic loudspeaker, and their bass is more dynamic!’ HiFi Pig
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« If the glory of the Super HL5 is its neutral midrange, the treble is exceptionally well presented-extended, open and sweet… the Super HL5’s bass was exceptional…full, rich, deep, warm without being woolly. I think you’d have to be an audiophile idiot to want to extend – and most likely spoil – such seamless quality of sound with a subwoofer. The Harbeth Super HL5 is one of the finest speakers to come my way. Give it a listen, lest you spend more – much more – and get far less lasting musical satisfaction. This speaker has been a classic for more than a quarter of a century, and will still be a classic 25 years hence. You’ll likely never regret having bought a pair.” Sam Tellig, Stereophile
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» They are phenomenally communicative. They show music as it should be shown – in a coherent complete fashion. They are not especially resolved and the soundstage is not particularly expansive. Due to splendid microdynamics and very good reproduction of the size of the instruments however, we do get a very intense and involving presentation.” 6 Moons
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“As a direct access into art, the Harbeths are unparalleled. The conclusion is obvious. The Harbeth Super HL5 is a true masterpiece of speaker design. Most Wanted Component Award!” StereoTimes
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“To my ears, the Harbeth mid/bass driver is the best dynamic midrange driver there is, and it surely sounds that way here.” AudioConnection
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« A triumph of musicality and sheer listenability… The most complete fatigue-free loudspeaker ever heard. » The Absolute Sound
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» Voicing is above the highest standards. » The Ear Magazine
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“I would happily have these in my house as my reference speakers. » HiFI Corner UK
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