A History Of The LS3/5a Loudspeaker - Part Time Audiophile Article

99.99 Oxygen Free Copper Audiophile Grade Speaker Cable
Nikhil

Nikhil

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
4,144
Points
113
Location
Hyderabad
An interesting read/podcast on a classic BBC speaker.

parttimeaudiophile.com

A History Of The LS3/5a Loudspeaker | The Occasional Podcast

Hi-Fi news, gear reviews, and interviews
parttimeaudiophile.com parttimeaudiophile.com

Excerpt from the above article:
"For fans of the British mini monitor (it even has its own FB group) the speaker is known as one of the greats from an era that emerged as a result of a ton of awesome R&D from the BBC in the mid seventies. The sound has endured the test of time, still being licensed and produced by several companies including Falcon Acoustics. To help further explore and expand our knowledge the show is joined this week by Jerry Bloomfield who has spent the better part of his life studying, hoarding and producing various versions of the LS3/5a. Season 6, episode 7 includes the history, the legacy and all the little nods to high fidelity that make this mini monitor so great, even 45 years after its inception."

mail.jpg

Related Review:
parttimeaudiophile.com

Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a MoFi Edition Loudspeakers | REVIEW

Hi-Fi news, gear reviews, and interviews
parttimeaudiophile.com parttimeaudiophile.com
 
Last edited:
I think for a market like India, where most of us have smaller listening spaces, the LS3/5a design works very well. Even for those with a big main setup, these would make for a very nice small second setup in a more near field listening space.

I am looking very closely at the Falcons as they seem to be very reasonable priced as well. The other LS3/5 that I have been looking at is the Graham Audio but pricing in India is way too high. I am looking at these for a second setup in my office cabin.



.
 
Nikhil said:
I think for a market like India, where most of us have smaller listening spaces, the LS3/5a design works very well. Even for those with a big main setup, these would make for a very nice small second setup in a more near field listening space.

I am looking very closely at the Falcons as they seem to be very reasonable priced as well. The other LS3/5 that I have been looking at is the Graham Audio but pricing in India is way too high. I am looking at these for a second setup in my office cabin.



.
Click to expand...
If you are up to importing from China, here is an option. SoundArtist LS3/5a.
Cheers,
Raghu
 
raghupb said:
If you are up to importing from China, here is an option. SoundArtist LS3/5a.

Cheers,
Raghu
Click to expand...

The price is right but not sure if it has the quality I am looking for.
I just re-watched the review by the Zero Fidelity guy on Youtube.


.
 
LS3/5A with Leak amplifier ( classic old tube amplfier) is made for each other. It is pleasure to hear the same at our member place mohdnaseer. Can't beat the mids however bass is lacking which is compensated by adding Rogers sub and it sounds mesmerising.

Regards
 
Last edited:
Do consider these Nikhil, easier availability in India at sane prices without the nonsense markup of all other brands - all will sound similar with some pluses and minuses.

Back to tubes

Would love to read your comparison of the two young guns - the SCM7 and the 3/5. I had the scm7 v1 Sachin, so my comparison is based on that (and of-course based on my memory as I don't have them any longer) Though both speakers are roughly same size in cabinet volume, they are entirely...
www.hifivision.com www.hifivision.com
Cheers,
Sid
 
sidvee said:
Do consider these Nikhil, easier availability in India at sane prices without the nonsense markup of all other brands - all will sound similar with some pluses and minuses.

Back to tubes

Would love to read your comparison of the two young guns - the SCM7 and the 3/5. I had the scm7 v1 Sachin, so my comparison is based on that (and of-course based on my memory as I don't have them any longer) Though both speakers are roughly same size in cabinet volume, they are entirely...
www.hifivision.com www.hifivision.com
Cheers,
Sid
Click to expand...

This is 15ohm impedance speaker. Anything in particular to look for a matching amp?
 
muralimmreddy said:
This is 15ohm impedance speaker. Anything in particular to look for a matching amp?
Click to expand...

The Falcon is an easy load (see the Stereophile specs by JA).
Almost any amp will be drive them but they are said to be special with tube gear.

Lots of options but for a desktop this Mini Line Magnetic caught my eye:

LM-MINI-84IA Headphone amplifier - Push Pull EL84 - 2x3W

The LM-mini84IA is a real integrated amplifier using a single ended output stagz using EL84 tubes in class A mode. The output power of 2x3W perfectly match with all audiophile headphones. This power capability allows the LM-mini84IA to drive qualitative hi-fi speakers. A A selector located on...
www.line-magnetic.eu www.line-magnetic.eu



.
 
sidvee said:
Do consider these Nikhil, easier availability in India at sane prices without the nonsense markup of all other brands - all will sound similar with some pluses and minuses.

Back to tubes

Would love to read your comparison of the two young guns - the SCM7 and the 3/5. I had the scm7 v1 Sachin, so my comparison is based on that (and of-course based on my memory as I don't have them any longer) Though both speakers are roughly same size in cabinet volume, they are entirely...
www.hifivision.com www.hifivision.com
Cheers,
Sid
Click to expand...

Thanks Sid. The SCM7 is definitely on the radar.


.
 
Nikhil said:
Thanks Sid. The SCM7 is definitely on the radar.


.
Click to expand...
Sorry Nikhil, link wasn't accurate, I meant the spendor classic 3/5 which is now replaced by 4/5. The 3/5 is based on the classic bbc design. Of-course the scm7 is also superb but will sound entirely different from the bbc designs.
Cheers,
Sid
 
sidvee said:
Sorry Nikhil, link wasn't accurate, I meant the spendor classic 3/5 which is now replaced by 4/5. The 3/5 is based on the classic bbc design. Of-course the scm7 is also superb but will sound entirely different from the bbc designs.
Cheers,
Sid
Click to expand...

Sid,

I just recalled having heard the Spendor 3/5 at Vivek's place earlier this year.
Very nice little speaker. Absolutely perfect for intimate near field listening.


.
 
Have had these Spendors Ls3/5a 11 ohms (late 80s) for about 6 months or so. Opening them up was a heart in mouth situation with the fear I might mess something up. Curiosity got the better and I am happy I got a peak.

The lycra that holds up the cloth (tygan) grill is a bia#*? to remove and then the wood screws come off but the front panel still needs to be pried off.. very happy all checked out ok inside.

No particular reason...just sharing photos..thanks for looking..
 

Attachments

  • 20221116_174804-min.jpg
    20221116_174804-min.jpg
    757.4 KB · Views: 52
  • 20221116_174728-min.jpg
    20221116_174728-min.jpg
    560.7 KB · Views: 52
  • 20221116_174909-min.jpg
    20221116_174909-min.jpg
    788.2 KB · Views: 54
  • 20221116_174854-min.jpg
    20221116_174854-min.jpg
    882.4 KB · Views: 55
  • 20221116_174651-min.jpg
    20221116_174651-min.jpg
    916.4 KB · Views: 55
  • 20221116_174657-min.jpg
    20221116_174657-min.jpg
    764.4 KB · Views: 58
  • 20221116_174722-min.jpg
    20221116_174722-min.jpg
    560 KB · Views: 58
  • 20221116_174751-min.jpg
    20221116_174751-min.jpg
    719.1 KB · Views: 56
Award Winning Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speakers Offer
Get the Award Winning Diamond 12.3 Floorstanding Speakers on Special Offer
Back
Top