I've now got my hot little hands on the Beolab 5s!
They've replaced a very well regarded Canadian hi-fi speakers of similar price and a valve-based OTL amplifiers.
The BL5s were purchased for aesthetic reasons but I'm really surprised they don't just look better but sound better.
Bass control is amazing. Ability to keep up with dynamic changes. Detail resolution. Imaging... A little drier than the previous in the vocal range particularly but I think that's more accurate to the source.
There is stil a little vestige of audiophile nervosa - those skanky coax cables that came with the BL5s need replacing with something like Belden 1694A.
Cheers
Adrian