Harbeth Super HL5+ and Naim

Posted by: AussieSteve on 20 October 2015

Does anyone have Harbeth Super HL5+ speakers with Naim kit? I adore classic style monitor speakers, and came very close to buying Harbeth M40.1 speakers last year. I just read a review on the HL's in The Absolute Sound and the reviewer says they are as awesome as his Quads. I have a feeling Harbeth and Spendor would sing with Naim, anyone with experience?

Posted on: 20 October 2015 by Clearaudio lover

I have heard the SHL5+ with different Naim kit and never liked it. Too dark, warm and unrully presentation. They sound much better partnered with brighter sounding equipment. The C7ES-3 however sounded marvellous with Naim. The voicing is different (more clear/bright/treble sparkle). 

Posted on: 20 October 2015 by pz

Never heard HL5+.

Currently running NDS+SN2 with C7 ES3 and they could generate nice noise.

Posted on: 20 October 2015 by andrew jameson

Ditto haven't heard HL5+

 

But P3ESR with 252/250dr are just peachy - so it seems that at least some of the range marry very well

 

Posted on: 21 October 2015 by Singslinger

I've not heard the Super 5s but I did own the 30.1s and P3ESRs and found that Sugden amps were a better match.

Posted on: 21 October 2015 by christoph

hi, i run them with 252/300/superline and it sounds great, not warm and slow but powerful, fast and natural; Playback of voices is made in heaven,  christoph

Posted on: 21 October 2015 by mikapoh

You need a more beefier amplification to provide the grips needed for Harbeth bass drivers. I have owned Nait 5i, XS, 202/200 and now 282/250.2. The bass started to control nicely from 202/200 but it is 282/250.2 that show the true meaning of control. However, you need some tweaks as well such as sitting the Harbeths on open frame stands and place a 2 inches thick of marble beneath the speaker stands. Once you get it set-up properly, you will love Harbeth-Naim combination. 

 

 

 

Posted on: 21 October 2015 by Huge

I use Spendor SP2s and they are quite similar in presentation (and engineering) to the Harbeths - both are basically developments of the BBC thin wall monitor concept.

 

 Again, as with others I find the drive of Naim electronics makes the Spendors come alive, and the midrange clarity of the Spendors makes the Naim electronics sing - an excellent combination.

 

I'd also reinforce the recommendation for mass below the speaker stands, in my case the speaker stands are placed on ceramic plinths weighing 35Kg each.  The Harbeths and Spendors use thin wall lightweight cabinetry, but relatively heavy drivers; the plinths help to provide stability to resist the mechanical reaction force that the drivers generate when moving the cones.