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Graham Audio LS3/5 Loudspeakers | Audio Emotion
Graham Audio LS3/5 Loudspeakers | Audio Emotion

Product Description

The LS3/5A is perhaps the best-known of all the BBC's monitor designs. The BBC needed a small monitor that was suitable for critical assessment of programme quality in cramped OB vehicles and control rooms, and nothing suitable was available commercially. At the same time, a separate research project - an investigation into acoustic scaling of studios - had developed a miniature loudspeaker, and it was realised that it could be adapted for monitoring use. After much development, the original LS3/5 was born.

Initially, 20 units were built in-house for field trials, but upon deciding to build another batch, it became apparent that KEF had altered both of the drive units, and the new units were sufficiently different to the originals to affect the way the loudspeaker measured and sounded. As a result, significant re-engineering work had to be completed by the BBC's Designs Department, and this was such a significant deviation from the original model that the A suffix was added.

The new B110 needed to be decoupled from the baffle in order to prevent an interaction with the cabinet. Next, when fed from the existing crossover, the new HF unit exhibited significant colouration which required modifications to the crossover and the addition of the familiar protective grille and felt pads. The small number of loudspeakers from the original batch were now considered obsolete, and the true LS3/5 was never manufactured commercially.

While the revised LS3/5A sounded very similar to the original, many felt at the time that the original loudspeaker was better. Could this version be re-created today?

Graham Audio presents the ultimate version of the most famous of all the BBC loudspeakers, and is doing so under one of the most cherished names connected with the LS3/5A: Chartwell. The bespoke drive units and crossover networks are developed by Derek Hughes working in conjunction with Volt and Seas loudspeakers to produce a fully licensed loudspeaker using the very finest materials available.

Technical Specifications

System2 Way, reflex loading
EnclosureThin wall construction, 9mm birch plywood, removable rear panel
FinishReal wood veneer
Dimensions (w/h/d)19cm by 30cm by 17cm
Weight5.3kg
Frequency response70Hz to 20kHz, ±3dB
Nominal impedance9
Sensitivity83dB SPL (2.83V, 1m)
Maximum output95dB for a pair at 2m
Bass/midrange110mm Bextrene
Tweeter19mm Dome tweeter
Recommended amplifier power25 to 50 watts unclipped programme

Manufacturer Site

Specifications

Speaker Type
Bookshelf
Brand
Graham Audio
Condition
New
Product Code
GRHM-LS53

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The LS3/5A is perhaps the best-known of all the BBC's monitor designs. The BBC needed a small monitor that was suitable for critical assessment of programme quality in cramped OB vehicles and control rooms, and nothing suitable was available commercially. At the same time, a separate research project - an investigation into acoustic scaling of studios - had developed a miniature loudspeaker, and it was realised that it could be adapted for monitoring use. After much development, the original LS3/5 was born.

Initially, 20 units were built in-house for field trials, but upon deciding to build another batch, it became apparent that KEF had altered both of the drive units, and the new units were sufficiently different to the originals to affect the way the loudspeaker measured and sounded. As a result, significant re-engineering work had to be completed by the BBC's Designs Department, and this was such a significant deviation from the original model that the A suffix was added.

The new B110 needed to be decoupled from the baffle in order to prevent an interaction with the cabinet. Next, when fed from the existing crossover, the new HF unit exhibited significant colouration which required modifications to the crossover and the addition of the familiar protective grille and felt pads. The small number of loudspeakers from the original batch were now considered obsolete, and the true LS3/5 was never manufactured commercially.

While the revised LS3/5A sounded very similar to the original, many felt at the time that the original loudspeaker was better. Could this version be re-created today?

Graham Audio presents the ultimate version of the most famous of all the BBC loudspeakers, and is doing so under one of the most cherished names connected with the LS3/5A: Chartwell. The bespoke drive units and crossover networks are developed by Derek Hughes working in conjunction with Volt and Seas loudspeakers to produce a fully licensed loudspeaker using the very finest materials available.

Technical Specifications

System2 Way, reflex loading
EnclosureThin wall construction, 9mm birch plywood, removable rear panel
FinishReal wood veneer
Dimensions (w/h/d)19cm by 30cm by 17cm
Weight5.3kg
Frequency response70Hz to 20kHz, ±3dB
Nominal impedance9
Sensitivity83dB SPL (2.83V, 1m)
Maximum output95dB for a pair at 2m
Bass/midrange110mm Bextrene
Tweeter19mm Dome tweeter
Recommended amplifier power25 to 50 watts unclipped programme

Manufacturer Site
No reviews left yet
Write A Review

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About us

Graham Audio is a family-owned British company based in Newton Abbot, a small market town in Devon, south-west England. We are passionate about high-quality audio and believe that the classic BBC loudspeaker designs offer levels of neutrality, transparency and realism that are hard to find elsewhere today. Using modern components and production techniques we have been able to push the performance while remaining true to the original designs.

We might be small, but we are proud to work with some of the best talent in the industry, including Derek Hughes and Volt Loudspeakers. Our loudspeaker systems are available throughout the world from carefully selected outlets who have full demonstration facilites, and will support you through the selection and setting up process.

All loudspeakers are hand-assembled on-site. One person is responsible for every step of each loudspeaker made, which includes testing and auditioning. A second person double-checks the completed product, repeating the testing as a matter of course and saving the results for future reference. As part of the test procedure, all completed loudspeakers are compared to our master reference samples to ensure complete consistency.

Company History

The company was founded by Paul Graham, who has spent more than 20 years working in all areas of professional audio, including the recording and broadcast industries, and in live sound and performance. Of all the different approaches, Paul has always favoured the "BBC sound" for both professional and personal applications, but feared that many of the classic designs would be lost forever as one by one the surviving examples gradually failed after many decades of operation. A couple of chance meetings and some long conversations later, it was decided that the only way to preserve this legacy was to seek BBC approval to build them himself.

Happily, our debut loudspeaker - the BBC LS5/9 - was warmly received by reviewers and owners alike, and the BBC LS5/8 and BBC LS3/5 have been equally successful. In addition, our range of bespoke loudspeakers include a high power, high quality passive monitor primarily intended for live sound (the SYSTEM3D) - and from that research programme the floor-standing VOTU was born. The new Chartwell LS6 sits between the LS3/5 and LS5/9, and gives nothing away to those models in terms of dynamics and musical insight.

Website

www.grahamaudio.co.uk

Delivery Information

Delivery is free for all orders over £250.

'In Stock' items ordered before 1pm will be dispatched the same day.

We use DPD Local 'Next Day Service' for most UK deliveries. Orders sent via 'DPD Local - Next Day Service' will be fully tracked with a 1-hour delivery timeslot on the day of delivery. Standard delivery is Monday to Friday.

Saturday delivery can be selected at checkout for £19.95.

Small items and LP's may be sent using Royal Mail.

Large/heavy items may be sent using TNT Express.

For all other countries please visit the 'Delivery Information' link in the footer.

Occasionally, due to stock demand, we can sell out. If this occurs when you make a purchase, we will inform you quickly. Most out of stock items are available for dispatch within 3 working days. If your purchase is urgent, please contact us to check availability.

Customer Reviews

Graham Audio LS3/5 Loudspeakers

Item in Stock

Product Code GRHM-LS53

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Customer Reviews

Rated 5-Star
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on orders over £250

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