View Full Version : LS3/5as. I can't leave them alone...
Martyn Miles
28-03-2016, 09:00
I own what are considered to be one of the best small loudspeakers, the Harbeth P3-ESR, but still love the LS3/5a.
Having built a Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a Kit for a friend, plus LS3/5a Clones, I am now building another pair.
I have acquired a pair of removeable back cabinets, along with a pair of matched B110s. T27s are on their way and Stirling and Falcon are supplying other parts.
A choice of LS3/5a crossovers are available from Falcon, so I have decided on the 23aB.
The FL6/23, as used in the new Falcon LS3/5a, is expensive.
Even though the LS3/5a is considered by some as an old design ( which it is, of course ) I still love its particular capabilities, especially in the midrange.
Long live this venerable BBC design.
They are certainly a magical little speaker, I think Spendor also built them under licence. I remember auditioning them when I bought my SP2's, another fabulous BBC design. Pity Spendor did not keep these speakers to the original design but went and changed the drive unit cone material etc and they drifted away from the magical sound they created.
After this period when companies like Harbeth and Rogers build speakers with natural tonal qualities along with Spendor there was an arms race in so called speaker design where new materials and methods came in which has resulted in speakers with ever stiffer construction and space age driver materials which for me lost the natural realistic tonal qualities.
It all became Hifi boom and tizz with an eagerness to impress the listener straight away but with longer listening the sound becomes tiring. Midrange in many modern designs seems to be forgotten in the boom and tizz arms race but for me this is where a lot of the magic happens especially with vocals and instrumental texture.
The LS3/5a did this on a miniature scale very well.
Interestingly there seems to be a move back to materials of the past by companies such as Devore, Wilson Audio and Audio note but I think it will be a long time before a company is brave enough to build a speaker with the design principles of the original SP1 or SP2.
I believe older JBL's and Tannoys also sounded good because they were also voiced by humans with natural sounding driver units and not designed by a computer and built by a robot!:lol:
Wakefield Turntables
28-03-2016, 09:51
Great to hear your getting so much joy from your kit, it certainly beats the various derogatory comments and arguments which usually pop up in the various Fora.
Most modern small speakers tend to go for a flat response and extended bass - usually via a port but the Ls3/5a instead bumps up the bass around 100Hz and then drops off, no port shenanigins.
Measurement of some various types of Ls3/5a here:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/bbc-ls35a-loudspeaker-stirling-measurements#5Z5B6RW1hDy3ow06.97
I think subjectively this gives a better sound, the hump adds a bit of body to bass instruments, giving the sort of bass sound and feel that is subjectively pleasing to us. I think that is a better way of voicing a small speaker than to have it attempt the lower octaves in 'stunt' style. On most music it will subjectively have 'more bass' than a speaker that will go lower but has no bass hump. Not accurate to the source. But no speaker is, in any case, so what does it matter?
walpurgis
28-03-2016, 10:52
I believe older JBL's and Tannoys also sounded good because they were also voiced by humans with natural sounding driver units and not designed by a computer and built by a robot!:lol:
I reckon you are right. I'm sure the same applies to many older speakers, big Altecs and Kilpschorns spring to mind.
Martyn Miles
29-03-2016, 19:50
The parts I need are starting to arrive.
I'm getting excited about starting to build them.
Do I need counselling ?
Like your enthusiasm Martyn.:thumbsup:
U need ECT Martyn . just kidding
Excellent Martyn. Do post pics of the build
I have read some American reviews of the LS3 5A as having a typically British upper bass bump or sort of accentuation.
is this true?
I love my 15 ohm Rogers.
spendorman
30-03-2016, 07:58
The parts I need are starting to arrive.
I'm getting excited about starting to build them.
Do I need counselling ?
No Martyn, you're just a well paid up member of the club.
Martyn,
You might find this of interest: http://www.kef.com/html/gb/explore/about_kef/kef/, as well as the BBC research report on the development of the LS3/5a.
walpurgis
30-03-2016, 23:14
I found that interesting Barry. A bit of the content I was aware of but it told me much I'd not known.
Martyn Miles
31-03-2016, 11:45
Martyn,
You might find this of interest: http://www.kef.com/html/gb/explore/about_kef/kef/, as well as the BBC research report on the development of the LS3/5a.
Thanks for the above, Barry.
I had come across it in the past, but useful to read again.
Martyn.
Haselsh1
31-03-2016, 14:10
Yes, phenomenally great loudspeaker. The best I have ever owned and built by Rogers. I had them back in the 90's and sold them on. Although I am currently involved in a certain Hi-Fi madness, my ultimate goal would be Sterling's with Croft pre/mono's and a Nottingham Analogue front end. Maybe one day when the madness has passed...;)
Some more on Rogers and the LS3/5a : http://www.g4dcv.co.uk/ls35a/rogershistory.html .
Martyn Miles
01-04-2016, 19:10
Some more on Rogers and the LS3/5a : http://www.g4dcv.co.uk/ls35a/rogershistory.html .
The story continues...
Martyn.
Martyn Miles
10-05-2016, 13:13
U need ECT Martyn . just kidding
Excellent Martyn. Do post pics of the build
I have read some American reviews of the LS3 5A as having a typically British upper bass bump or sort of accentuation.
is this true?
I love my 15 ohm Rogers.
Marco is putting up my pictures of the build for me.
Martyn.
Oldpinkman
10-05-2016, 16:12
A friend of mine, Andrew Watson, formally of KEF has set up on his own as a speaker designer manufacturer, and his first product is a bass extender for the LS35a. It has only recently been properly launched, and he is looking for reviews and feedback. I think Ken Kessler is booked to review it, but if anybody is interested in the product and might want to audition or review a pair, I can put you in touch with Andrew
This is his website http://stonegateacoustics.co.uk/about-stonegate
I worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corp in 70's. The Corp bought 3000 pairs of 12" Tannoy golds and developed their own Monitors.
(which eventually were erm 'purloined' and rebranded as Manley Monitors..with moderate success, but I digress)
These worked as expected.. there were few to no complaints from a plethora of studio control rooms.. from Pacific to Atlantic oceans
Ls3a's showed up.. once.. but these poorly regarded... pretty well universally.
No Comprehension of the Ls3a cult or of the reason Why.
An Island affectation?
Martyn Miles
14-05-2016, 13:59
An affectation?
Who knows?
To my ears ( and many others' ears ) the LS3/5a just works.
Not the World's best loudspeaker, but a competent one in its own area.
Overpriced, though, if you have old ones...
walpurgis
14-05-2016, 14:24
No Comprehension of the Ls3a cult or of the reason Why.
I don't get it either. It's an OK very small speaker, but not without flaws. I think it's become a status thing, Like having an exclusive and expensive watch.
They were designed to be near-field monitors, for use in confined spaces such as outside broadcast vans. In other words, they are designed for a listener only 2 to 3 foot away from each speaker.
The LS3/5As were never intended as studio monitors. For that there is the LS5/8.
They were designed to be near-field monitors, for use in confined spaces such as outside broadcast vans. In other words, they are designed for a listener only 2 to 3 foot away from each speaker.
The LS3/5As were never intended as studio monitors. For that there is the LS5/8.
Very nice speaker the LS5/8.
Martyn Miles
15-05-2016, 09:16
I don't get it either. It's an OK very small speaker, but not without flaws. I think it's become a status thing, like having an exclusive and expensive watch.
It is for some.
Not me, though.
To my ears the Harbeth P-3RSRs I have are superior, but the LS3/5as
give me a great deal of enjoyment.
I don't think it's a case of status owning them.
Well, for me it isn't.
The price is another thing entirely, artificially inflated by
obsessive Far East collectors.
Martyn.
walpurgis
15-05-2016, 10:15
The price is another thing entirely, artificially inflated by
obsessive Far East collectors.
Martyn.
That's what I was getting at and it's not just the Far East either.
Martyn Miles
26-05-2016, 08:01
I have sent all the pics. to Marco so they should be put up soon.
The speakers are currently in use in a bedroom system, using an Akai '80s Receiver.
Surprisingly good piece of kit.
On radio plays and Radio 3 the little speakers work well.
Martyn.
As promised for Martyn, sorry about the delay:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/ty3K6z.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnty3K6zj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/7Q1huD.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pm7Q1huDj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/ZbqudE.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plZbqudEj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/KVZmux.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmKVZmuxj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/ezIpGR.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/plezIpGRj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/QtY7cO.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnQtY7cOj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/OAGcun.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmOAGcunj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/2q0PBm.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pn2q0PBmj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/dSFwfu.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pndSFwfuj)
Marco.
Martyn Miles
31-05-2016, 12:55
Thanks, Marco.
The images have come out well.
Martyn.
No worries... Indeed they look great. Nice work! :)
Marco.
Martyn Miles
31-05-2016, 14:56
No worries... Indeed they look great. Nice work! :)
Marco.
They sound excellent and the 9mm cabinets and removeable backs may well contribute.
Long live the BBC LS3/5a !
Martyn.
Martyn Miles
16-06-2016, 21:15
They sound excellent and the 9mm cabinets and removeable backs may well contribute.
Long live the BBC LS3/5a !
Martyn.
I have recently acquired a pair of Rogers LS3/5as, so I have decided to sell these.
Taking into the cost of the components, I am looking for just over £500 for them.
They do sound excellent.
A friend and I compared them with a pair of Spendor LS3/5as today
and they acquitted themselves very well.
Martyn.
walpurgis
16-06-2016, 21:20
Hi Martyn. If this is a sale offer, can you bung it under Private Exhibitions with the usual pictures & price please. Thanks, Geoff.
Martyn Miles
12-07-2016, 18:48
I have recently acquired a pair of Rogers LS3/5as, so I have decided to sell these.
Taking into the cost of the components, I am looking for just over £500 for them.
They do sound excellent.
A friend and I compared them with a pair of Spendor LS3/5as today
and they acquitted themselves very well.
Martyn.
I put these LS3/5as on eBay and had two Overseas bidders.
In the end they have gone to South Korea.
I'm aware that high prices can be had from Hong Kong '3/5a enthusiasts,
and there is a thriving LS3/5a culture in Malaysia.
South Korea will have to be added to these countries...
Martyn Miles
16-07-2016, 10:46
'LS3/5as. I can't leave them alone'
I have just acquired another pair to refurbish.
My Wife thinks I may need to see a Counsellor to talk this 'obsession' through...
What do other Forum members think ?
Martyn.
spendorman
16-07-2016, 11:31
Definitely need a councillor, but you will have to get into the queue.
Ammonite Audio
16-07-2016, 12:32
'LS3/5as. I can't leave them alone'
I have just acquired another pair to refurbish.
My Wife thinks I may need to see a Counsellor to talk this 'obsession' through...
What do other Forum members think ?
Martyn.
Well, as long as there are overseas collectors willing to spend huge amounts on these things, why not carry on? That's assuming that you do actually buy low and sell high, of course.
Martyn Miles
16-07-2016, 17:54
Definitely need a counsellor, but you will have to get into the queue.
A queue of how many do you think?
Martyn.
spendorman
16-07-2016, 18:11
A queue of how many do you think?
Martyn.
I can't even count all my speakers, but you are behind me in the queue.
Martyn Miles
17-07-2016, 04:45
Well, as long as there are overseas collectors willing to spend huge amounts on these things, why not carry on? That's assuming that you do actually buy low and sell high, of course.
I wonder how long the high prices will last for ?
Incidentally, the Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a has gone up in price.
They are longer shown with prices on the Falcon Website.
If you click on Distributors, such as Doug Brady, it
will give you the price.
£2,100.
They were about £1,500 previously.
Plus they've dropped the Kit, one of which I built for a friend.
I paid £823 for it.
Jerry Bloomfield delivered it ( he lives about 20 miles from me ) which saved
on shipping costs.
The Kits were good value,
especially last Christmas with a 1O% reduction.
Now they are more than the Harbeth P-3ESR.
MARTYN.
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