Okay gents. I have just received the SHL5 Plus and am currently listening to the speakers in my system. My good dealer took my old SHL5s and we figured out that they had been in my system for 7 years (I didn't know I had them that long). My dealer was shocked that the speakers are still in immaculate condition after all these years, not even a hairline scratch is visible on the wood cabinet. I explained that I do take good care of my stuff.
Now, on to the SHL5 Plus. The wood grain and lines on my older SHL5s look nicer than the SHL5 Plus. On top of that, the wood grain with the new SHL5 Plus isn't quite an identical match between the left and right speaker. My old SHL5s show an exact match in the wood grain between the left and right speakers. This anomaly in the (unmatched) wood grain between the left and right speakers may be an indication that the quality control had gone down a bit throughout the years. Or perhaps business with Harbeth is so good that they are having a tough time to keep up with production, placing less emphasis on getting the wood grain matched between the speakers.
Sound quality. It's early days with the speakers having less than 2 hours on them. From the first few notes with familiar music, the differences are certainly appreciable if not significant. I find the SHL5 Plus to be an overall more balanced speaker than the older SHL5s. The Plus is leaner and cleaner in the midrange without the organic bloom of the older SHL5s which made the (old SHL5s) sound thick. This may sound contradictory. Although the Plus is a leaner sounding speaker, it is smoother than the SHL5s. The Plus doesn't show a certain metallic hardness in the treble and is more coherent and integrated between the drivers, ie. more integrated between the bass, midrange and treble.
There is only one problem with some of my rock CDs. Coldplay now sound a bit too bright and I have to turn the volume down.
I can understand that some folks will like the older SHL5s for their midrange warmth and lushness. I have to give that to the SHL5s. It is a mixed feeling to part ways with the SHL5 after living with the speaker for so long, and I will need some time to warm up to the new sound of the Plus. I will slowly but surely get to know the Plus better with time. As far as things are going at the moment, it is looking very positive.
In short, early listening impressions show the SHL5 Plus to be leaner, more open, coherent and better integrated than the older SHL5s. The Plus does not exhibit the excessive thickness in the mids / upper bass of the older SHL5s. Those who prefer a more romantic, warm and lush presentation will find the older SHL5s to be more appealing than the Plus.
Now, on to the SHL5 Plus. The wood grain and lines on my older SHL5s look nicer than the SHL5 Plus. On top of that, the wood grain with the new SHL5 Plus isn't quite an identical match between the left and right speaker. My old SHL5s show an exact match in the wood grain between the left and right speakers. This anomaly in the (unmatched) wood grain between the left and right speakers may be an indication that the quality control had gone down a bit throughout the years. Or perhaps business with Harbeth is so good that they are having a tough time to keep up with production, placing less emphasis on getting the wood grain matched between the speakers.
Sound quality. It's early days with the speakers having less than 2 hours on them. From the first few notes with familiar music, the differences are certainly appreciable if not significant. I find the SHL5 Plus to be an overall more balanced speaker than the older SHL5s. The Plus is leaner and cleaner in the midrange without the organic bloom of the older SHL5s which made the (old SHL5s) sound thick. This may sound contradictory. Although the Plus is a leaner sounding speaker, it is smoother than the SHL5s. The Plus doesn't show a certain metallic hardness in the treble and is more coherent and integrated between the drivers, ie. more integrated between the bass, midrange and treble.
There is only one problem with some of my rock CDs. Coldplay now sound a bit too bright and I have to turn the volume down.
I can understand that some folks will like the older SHL5s for their midrange warmth and lushness. I have to give that to the SHL5s. It is a mixed feeling to part ways with the SHL5 after living with the speaker for so long, and I will need some time to warm up to the new sound of the Plus. I will slowly but surely get to know the Plus better with time. As far as things are going at the moment, it is looking very positive.
In short, early listening impressions show the SHL5 Plus to be leaner, more open, coherent and better integrated than the older SHL5s. The Plus does not exhibit the excessive thickness in the mids / upper bass of the older SHL5s. Those who prefer a more romantic, warm and lush presentation will find the older SHL5s to be more appealing than the Plus.