In this review, we will be comparing SHL5plus XD2 and R3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Harbeth and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 and KEF R3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 | KEF R3 |
|---|
| Brand | Harbeth
United Kingdom · founded 1977 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" RADIAL | 6.5" Hybrid aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40-20k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-150 watts | 15-180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 15.80kg / 34.8lbs | 13.55kg / 29.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 25" x 12-11/16" x 11-13/16"
635.0 x 322.0 x 300.0mm | 16-5/8" x 7-13/16" x 13-1/4"
423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 and KEF R3 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 |
KEF R3 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SHL5plus XD2 and R3 are 3-way speakers.
Harbeth SHL5plus XD2KEF R3
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 |
KEF R3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
SHL5plus XD2 features a 1" Ferrofluid-cooled dome Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" RADIAL Woofer. On the other hand, the R3 features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Hybrid aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
SHL5plus XD2 has a frequency range of 40-20k Hz whereas R3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the SHL5plus XD2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3's min frequency of 52Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SHL5plus XD2 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the R3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. SHL5plus XD2 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the R3's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the KEF R3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Harbeth SHL5plus XD2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
R3 can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS, whereas SHL5plus XD2 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the R3.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
R3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SHL5plus XD2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF R3 Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Harbeth SHL5plus XD2's and KEF R3's external dimensions. Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 has external dimensions of 635.0 x 322.0 x 300.0mm (25 x 12-11/16 x 11-13/16inch) whereas KEF R3 has external dimensions of 423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm (16-5/8 x 7-13/16 x 13-1/4inch).
KEF R3 is 123mm narrower and 212mm shorter than Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 but it is also 37mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 needs about 44% more floor or shelf area. KEF R3 is 37mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 is 212mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 is approximately 966.0cm2 / 149.7inch2 and base area of the KEF R3 is approximately 670.6cm2 / 103.9inch2. The SHL5plus XD2 requires 44% more surface area than the R3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 weighs 15.80kg / 34.8lbs and the KEF R3 weighs 13.55kg / 29.8lbs. This makes the SHL5plus XD2 17% heavier than the R3.
Here is a comparison of how SHL5plus XD2 and R3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF R3?
Here are the items that come with the R3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
423mm
vs
635mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
670cm2
vs
966cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2200USD
vs
7990USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 |
KEF R3 |
| Brand |
Harbeth |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-150 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40-20k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
RADIAL |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
635.0mm (25") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
322.0mm (12.7") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
300.0mm (11.8") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
15.80kg (34.8lbs) |
13.55kg (29.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 costs roughly 3.6x what KEF R3 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 digs deeper - 40Hz against 52Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | KEF R3 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (150W vs 180W). |
| Size | depends | KEF R3 is easier to place; Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | KEF R3: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KEF R3 is cheaper - $2,200 against $7,990, about 72% less; arguably a different class. |
A Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 B KEF R3
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KEF R3 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 52Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF R3 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Harbeth SHL5plus XD2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, KEF R3 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.