Short answer: the Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2. It ranks #179 of 216 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $7,990. The Triad In-Room Gold LCR ranks #197, rated 2.7/5, at $6,600, $1,390 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2 is the better-sounding option. A large three way stand mount with an 8 inch RADIAL4 mid/bass and a separate super tweeter, rated to 40Hz; Stereophile measured the previous XD version with an impressively even 30 degree listening window and a port tuned to 29Hz for deep bass extension. The tradeoff: Expensive at about $7,990 a pair, and at 86dB sensitivity with equivalent load dips to about 2.5 ohms it wants a capable amplifier.
What the Triad In-Room Gold LCR does well: Built for serious home theater output: the sealed three-way layout uses dual 8.5-inch woofers, a 5.5-inch midrange and a 1-inch fabric dome. The catch: At $6600/pair, Erin found the raw response and value hard to defend without EQ: a 100-300Hz dip makes male vocals thin, a 1kHz dip adds hollowness, and a 4-5kHz rise makes sibilants harsh.
Buy the Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,390 with the Triad In-Room Gold LCR does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Worth knowing: the Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.8 to 3.4, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2 | Triad In-Room Gold LCR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,990 per pair | $6,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #179 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #197 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 200mm RADIAL4 mid/bass + 25mm ferrofluid cooled tweeter + 20mm dome super tweeter (each), 3-way | Two 8.5” metal woofers, 5.5” paper/fiber midrange, 1” fabric-dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m) (Manufacturer specified) | 88.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 92dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms (Manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal; dips below 3 ohms (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB free space, grille on) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8 kg) (each) | 54.9 lbs (24.9 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 12.7”W x 25”H x 11.8”D (322 x 635 x 300 mm) | 29”H x 10.75”W x 11.375”D |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | - | 100W - 450W recommended (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed / acoustic suspension |
| Country | - | USA (handcrafted, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.41 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2:
- Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 vs Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2
- Harbeth M30.3 XD2 vs Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2
- Danley SH50 vs Triad In-Room Gold LCR
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Triad In-Room Gold LCR
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs ATC SCM19
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2: $7,990 per pair Estimated Music Direct $7,990 eBay
Pros: A large three way stand mount with an 8 inch RADIAL4 mid/bass and a separate super tweeter, rated to 40Hz; Stereophile measured the previous XD version with an impressively even 30 degree listening window and a port tuned to 29Hz for deep bass extension. The cabinet showed only low level resonances, and the 6 ohm load is benign in magnitude.
Cons: Expensive at about $7,990 a pair, and at 86dB sensitivity with equivalent load dips to about 2.5 ohms it wants a capable amplifier. Measurements of the previous version showed presence region energy falling away off axis and narrowing treble above 7kHz, so the reflected sound is less even than the direct sound; the XD2 itself has not been independently measured.
Full Harbeth Super HL5plus XD2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.7”W x 25”H x 11.8”D (322 x 635 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 200mm RADIAL4 mid/bass + 25mm ferrofluid cooled tweeter + 20mm dome super tweeter (each), 3-way |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (+/-3dB free space, grille on) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 34.8 lbs (15.8 kg) (each) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Triad In-Room Gold LCR: $6,600 per pair Triad Authorized Dealer $6,600 eBay
Pros: Built for serious home theater output: the sealed three-way layout uses dual 8.5-inch woofers, a 5.5-inch midrange and a 1-inch fabric dome. At 86dB/1m, Erin measured under 1% distortion to 50Hz; at 96dB it remained under 1% only above about 80Hz, supporting Triad’s intended 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Compression and 32-band multitone distortion were both low, even at high playback levels. Broad horizontal coverage (about +/-70 to 80 degrees through the midrange) and a roughly +/-20-degree vertical window give a generous listening area. It can be made substantially more linear with EQ, and its 89dB measured sensitivity is suitable for a capable AVR or power amplifier. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 88.9dB.
Cons: At $6600/pair, Erin found the raw response and value hard to defend without EQ: a 100-300Hz dip makes male vocals thin, a 1kHz dip adds hollowness, and a 4-5kHz rise makes sibilants harsh. The directivity begins to narrow above about 5kHz as the tweeter beams. Despite its dual woofers, it requires a subwoofer; Erin measured F3 57Hz and F10 40Hz. Load dips below 3 ohms, so it needs an amplifier stable into 4 ohms. Plain, utilitarian styling will not suit everyone.
Full Triad In-Room Gold LCR review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | USA (handcrafted, manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 29”H x 10.75”W x 11.375”D |
| Drivers | Two 8.5” metal woofers, 5.5” paper/fiber midrange, 1” fabric-dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; dips below 3 ohms (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 100W - 450W recommended (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 92dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.41 |
| Weight | 54.9 lbs (24.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed / acoustic suspension |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs ATC SCM19
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs Danley SH50
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs KEF R3
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Triad In-Room Gold LCR vs KEF R3 Meta