Полочная акустика — Harbeth SHL5plus XD2

The SHL5plus XD2 is a large stand-mount loudspeaker from Harbeth, the English firm whose designs grew out of BBC monitoring research. The layout pairs one large cone for bass and midrange with two separate high-frequency drivers, making it a three-way system, and every unit is hand-built in England with wood veneers. It shares the RADIAL4 cone material and the revised crossover with the other members of the XD2 series.

Key specs that matter

Inside are a Harbeth-made 200 mm RADIAL4 unit covering bass and midrange, a 25 mm ferrofluid-cooled tweeter and a 20 mm dome SuperTweeter at the very top. The free-space response is 40 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB, taken with the grille on, and Harbeth states that the off-axis behaviour is smooth. Axial sensitivity is 86 dB for 2.83 V at 1 m into a nominal 6 ohm load. The cabinet is 635 mm high, 322 mm wide and 300 mm deep, with another 12 mm of depth added by the grille and the posts. A single cabinet weighs roughly 15.8 kg.

Engineering and use context

The XD2 update introduced a newly refined crossover which, according to the maker, improves how the bass, midrange and treble sections blend. The RADIAL4 compound is Harbeth's in-house cone material and the unit is large enough to reach deep bass without a separate woofer. The SuperTweeter adds a smaller dome above the main tweeter for the highest octave. Harbeth places the tweeter 475 mm above the cabinet base and recommends stands that bring the listener's ears level with it. The overall response is tuned for placement away from walls rather than close to a rear surface, which makes the model a fit for rooms of around 20 m2 and upward with open floor space around each cabinet. Wiring connects to 4 mm binding posts with Harbeth branding. Five veneers are listed - Rosewood, Oak, Walnut, Cherry and Black Ash with a satin surface.

Pairing

The nominal impedance is described by Harbeth as easy to drive, and it suggests amplifiers from 25 W per channel, so moderate valve and transistor integrateds both qualify. Programme power handling is 150 W, which sets the upper end of the sensible amplifier range. Given the large footprint and weight, stands need a broad top plate and a rigid frame that can hold a cabinet this deep securely.

Alternatives

Within the XD2 range, the Harbeth M30.3 XD2 offers a more compact two-way cabinet rated from 50 Hz with 85 dB sensitivity.