Harbeth – Super HL5

Harbeth’s Super HL5 is capable of fantastic performance – producing breathtaking transparency, a huge soundstage and total immersion in the performance. The speaker creates a rich bass and sweet midrange that brings acoustic music alive.

This is the sixth-generation of Dudley Harwood’s HL-Monitor which launched the Harbeth brand in 1977 when he left the BBC’s Research Department to form his own company.

Retaining the classic ‘two cubic foot’ proportions found in the very best BBC monitors, the HL5 relies on the exclusive Harbeth-made 200mm RADIAL™ bass/mid driver. This produces a big, warm and powerful sound that underpins the incredible midband clarity.

At the highest frequencies, the 20mm main tweeter is augmented by a SuperTweeter – combined these result in an extended, smooth and even dispersion right to the upper edge of the audio band.

The cabinet is engineered in the BBC tradition of ‘thin-wall’ panels with removable front and back panels for a totally true-to-life sound.

As befits a proper monitor loudspeaker, the crossover is appropriately complex to give a smooth system response, accurate level setting between the drive units, and operation of each drive unit within its natural range. The rear panel features a pair of terminals with removeable biwire links.

Transducer system 3-way reflex 200mm RADIAL™ bass/mid, 25mm tweeter, and 20mm SuperTweeter.

Freq. response 40Hz – 24kHz +/-3dB, free space, 1m with grille on, smooth off-axis response.

Impedance 6 ohms easy to drive.

Sensitivity 86db/1W/1m

Amp. suggestion Works with a wide range of amplifiers, ideally from 25W/channel.

Power handling 150W programme

Connector Four 4mm gold-plated binding posts for wires or plugs (biwireable)

Dimensions (hxwxd) 638 x 322 x 300mm

Finish Cherry, eucalyptus, rosewood.

Space needs Overall response optimised for use away from walls.

Stands To bring ears level with tweeters: typically 16-20 inches.

Weight 17.2kg each, unpacked

Packing Single speaker per protective carton