like you im a huge fan of the ls35a. using an 80s 15ohm rogers pair. been thinking of getting another one but they are sooooo expensive. have you checked out the stirling v2?
@@raduflorin6154 the rubber often looked grey simply due to age, you can clean it up with a rubber restoring product, most old silver basket models can go this way. Later models with more updated rubber surround materials look less rounded and suffer less.
FYI: (1) There are no sound clips in this video. I don't have the gear for it. (2) Pricing information can be found in the description box. (3) Note that these speakers are voiced to sound best when the grills are ON. (4) This video contains long unscripted and uninterrupted takes. If I was a bit off with my info or the delivery of that info, all that I ask is for you to be considerate while pointing out my mistakes in the comments section. (5) Note that the Falcon Acoustics 'MoFi' edition LS3/5a is only available in North America. (6) Also note that Harbeth will continue to offer the original P3ESR alongside the new XD in North America. Word on the street is that the price may lower (in the US) as well. (7) I forgot to mention how the regular Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge's revealing nature makes it less ideal for casual desktop listening (in my opinion) than the more forgiving P3ESR or the more colored sounding Falcon MoFi Edition LS3/5a.
I don’t get why people want sound clips. They tell you almost nothing except maybe where significant differences exist, but still won’t tell you if you’ll like that difference. Do you think it’s more of a neophyte thing?
@@rlowes From what I can tell, I think the interest in sound clips boil down to two things. The first is entertainment. People who realize you cannot tell much from sound clips, but enjoy them anyway. The second come from people who believe they truly can gauge the sound of / audition sundry hi-fi exotica on YT.
Interesting errand, comparing the sound of speakers that were intended to sound the same. What is equally interesting is that audiophiles are hugely paying for specified audio standard control room monitors -- tight specs that would make BBC broadcasts more consistent to audio engineers than to make sound more thrilling. (Eg: One can imagine two BBC broadcast music segments, one engineered and mixed wearing Beats headphones, the second engineer wearing Sony 7506's.) Then, try to combine them. But what is *our motive* in spending $3K+ to make our den sound like a BBC remote broadcast truck? It's moot....
@@jimshaw899 Adding to your first point, I think it's fascinating how many audiophiles forget that there are multiple versions of this speaker. The original pre-production units from the BBC. The first commercially available version (LS3/5). Then the mass-produced version (LS3/5a). And then in 1987, the introduction of the 11ohm version. I'm not making a point here. I simply find it fascinating. As for the motive: You spend your money on it because it makes you happy. I don't think most LS3/5a owners care about attempting to recreate sound in a cramped van. They own em' because they like em'. Simple as that.
It's a shame you didn't get the Wilmslow audio for $600 ish and had that in the mix, that's probably the cheapest out of the lot and that's built for you even cheaper if you buy as a kit. By the way those speakers are designed to be played with the grill on not off that's why you have the foam around the tweeter isolated from the woofer and the cloth has to be burlac grill there was two other variants in the 70s and 80s one was Rogers who built this speaker and another one was Goodman's who built this speaker using KEF drivers I think that's all of the manufacturers building the ls3/5a Shouldn't sound bright with the grills on! don't forget if it's sitting on a desk without any foam underneath or propped up on stands you going to get a drop of 100hz straight away
My first impressive audio memory is from two LS3/5a's at an audio show. They were paired with a subwoofer and gave the best lively and realistic performance I ever heard. This was in the early eighties and the memory still is vivid!
Zero, this is brilliant. We want more side-by-side speaker comparisons (3+, not only 2 models) in which you describe the most suited type of application (desktop, mid-field, far-field, different music genres etc.). Some hints: 6/8 inch bookshelves and floor-standers. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Excellent, excellent, excellent review! Well done, Sean. I've owned the P3ESR and the two Falcons (silver and gold badge) and your review is absolutely accurate. I listen nearfield and it's like having no speakers at all. Anyway, given your deep experience with P3ESR and LS3/5a, you should perhaps consider creating a video about the partnering equipment, i.e. amp(s) and subwoofer(s). Yeah, subwoofer is heresy to some LS3/5a devotees, but then again, why not, if it works?
So did I and I have to say I am very pleased! I was always interested in the LS3/5a sound but wasn't going to spend thousands of dollars to find out. But $600 was in the range I could afford!
@@nicksundby What? I have the Sound Artist LS3/5A and there is plenty of bass. I think they have a very pleasent , round and warm sound. Not as transparent as the Falcons, but great in their own right.
There's a dealer here in Pittsburgh that sells Harbeth. The first time I heard them after I regained consciousness I vowed that I will own a pair!!! PURE MAGIC!!
@@templesoundspercussion2298 Its more than just smooth. It has a quality to them that's hard to put into words. They aren't laid back and boring they're exciting but ...I would make a terrible audio reviewer!
Thanks for a great review. Zero Fidelity is a fine broadcast in these days of no audio showrooms to live audition. Remarkably, I may have even owned or auditioned more speakers than you, and have commits on LS3 5 A's. I ran a large business as a mobile DJ to put me through law school and my wife through med school in the 70s. Lights, dry ice machines , gunpowder bombs set off in light sockets (yes !) and great tube (garnet and other amps...ultimately going solid state because we would have to re-wire most venues to get 1500 tube watts) I used great speakers with a ton of dynamic response. Alec voice of the theatre, Klipsch horns, Tannoy 15s, and (few know this) 12 in. Phillips with whizzer cones. Excellent with ports and large 75 lb. MDF boxes. For my home I had a series of stacked Advents, Giant Sonys, JBLs ,Cerwin Vegas, stacked Dynacos Quads, etc.etc. Then my dealer said in about 1976 that I should buy a diminutive set of Rogers 15 ohm LS3 5As. I scoffed but bought them. Delicious. Surprisingly good in specific applications. If you want to listen closely, or softly with musicality, or read a book, with music in the background they are outstandingly listenable. Sweet midrange, great imaging etc. etc. I did not know quite what I had, but have kept them for many years and through many subsequent speakers mounting them on the walls and other indignities , (some examples of my other stuff : Kef 105.7 with cube, Celestial golds, Klipsch towers, several sets of great Canadian towers including Totem voiced in the anechoic chamber, Energy 22s (quite good) SVS Towers, several Andrew Jones models including the somewhat over rated Uni-Fi ,various Polks and many highly rated others over the years , mostly set up properly with good electronics in the 4 houses we are so fortunate to own.) Anyway , I get the difference in experience between a Klipsch or Tecton with dynamics liveliness and bass, and the muted sonic honey of a LS35A. As a second set of speakers, what they can do after all these years is quite remarkable. I may try the Sound Artists just because. They are a little more than the inflation adjusted price I paid for the Rogers way back when. BTW, dont det me started on electronics since I have bought, burned out or still have about 40 different pieces. You should review the new Outlaw Receiver. I bought two. Great AB amp bargain with a reasonable DAC. Best.
I am new in this hobby. I only listen to classical music and I've been auditioning a list of speakers. Today I auditioned Graham Chartwell LS3/5A and it immediately struck me as "this is it". I would even say they were the only speakers I've auditioned that instruments sounded with their unique characters, dynamics and unfolding of music were natural, and the intention of performers were properly heard. I completely agree that they are truly worth auditioning.
If you like them, just check out the Falcon Gold Badge. To my ears, they blew the competition out the water. They’re all nice at the end of the day. Subjective of course.
Hey Sean, thanks for the review. Bought the Sound Artist based on a couple of reviews. Always tricky to buy via Internet, but at the price I took the chance. Even so with the Reisong Boyuu A10. With other tubes (Mullard EL-34 and 6n2 equivalents) icw the SA 3/5A's it's sounds just great (for the money). So, with you, Steve G and some other reviewers RU-vid can be very useful for making a decision on buying good audio gear at this price tag. Thanks and regards ,Henk (The Netherlands)
It's funny how interesting a comparo of four near-identical speakers can be - nicely done! One thing that strikes me whenever I see LS3/5a type speakers is that they always remind me just how few actual bookshelf speaker there are out there, as in, not standmount speakers but speakers that are purposely designed to sound good in suboptimal listening environments.
The sound that comes out of a LS3/5a speaker is so unique that it brings you into the world of hi-fi... It's the first proper speaker I've listened to and to date It's still my favourite. Of course I listened to bigger and more expensive speakers, like the Martin Logan electrostatic panels that blew me away but still there is something missing from what I got from the LS3/5a... At the time I couldn't afford them so I setttled for a pair of LS4a that retain most of the sound character for a fraction of the price and I still use them today after 33 years...
I have Rogers ls35a and ls4s in my room right now . Both perform well with nad quad exposure amps But with a great amp (NVA) the ls35a goes to a majestic level with nuance that the ls4 just can’t get even close to .
Since starting my own sound journey I have found the speakers and amps built in Great Britain to be what my ears desire above all other sound equipment and it has been listening to Sean that has helped me skip a few purchases and go straight to the British sound. Since my income does not allow me to purchase the finer British speakers, I have had to rely on a variety of older speakers, including a set of Linn Index speakers that I am using with my own desk top set up. Meanwhile, I will continue to listen to Sean and save my pennies. Thank you Sean - five years ago I didn't own a stereo... and so it goes.
Great video! I purchased the Harbeth P3 XD on Friday. Your videos really helped me decide on these, especially since I haven’t heard them in person. Should get them on 12/24. BTW, the P3 XD’s are $3,290 US now.
The LS-3/5A was one of those products that was part of a seismic shift in my audio journey. I listened to them when they were just introduced - the Rogers and Chartwell variants. At the same time, too, it was Magnepan, the Dahlquist DQ-10, the early Levinson gear, just about anything by Audio Research and Conrad-Johnson that had me make a big path change. When I was leaving college I sold my Magnepan MG-llBs. The person who bought them was the head of a college music department. He offered to trade my Maggies for his Rogers LS-3/5As. I didn't take the trade. Oh, well.
The most amazing take from this review is that the British government gave a private company (Harbeth) funds so that they could research woofer cone materials. I'm sure other audio companies around the world may have received state funding, although I'm not aware of any, but surely nothing that specific. 😁
In Canada many years ago an expensive anechoic chamber was built in Ottawa by gov't for use by private companies to use as a design tool for their products. And so it has. Many Canadian speaker companies produced many marvelous products that contributed to the success of the Canadian speaker market thanks to this brilliant design facility. Another company... Oracle audio that makes the legendary and beautiful Delphi turntable was reinstated with gov't money after it financially collapsed some years ago. I was surprised but yes it does happen.
The British government gave money to Wilson Benesch as well, so they could research/produce their first TT. And that when the CD were dominating strongly and everyone forsaw the death of analogue play back.
Glad that I watched this. I was going to buy a used Rodger’s pair but now will go for a new pair of Sound Artists. These will be to used for late night listening at lowish volume so as not to annoy the neighbours.
In the early 90ies, we organised a demo with rogers ls3/5a 16 0hm..with krell ksa 50 amp,...cd philips ...and compare with biggest fostex magnetostatics with 30cm bass....in a well damped place, small theater, so at least 200m2....i went 5 minutes out and when returned to the demo i observef: 'oh these big fostexes are so transparent and nice timbre on violins, speakers disapeare so easily..... But i missed , it were the rogers playing!!!! I was so impressed....even as a trained listener for years , hearing plenty high end i my audioshop in brussels...i am curious to hear those gold badges...
I'm a grandfather now and look back at this long journey - from rainy Saturdays in the basement listening to scratchy 78s with worn needles on a Victrola acoustic wind-up console to discovering high-fidelity audio in the 1950s - as an amazing, if bumpy, ride. I started with an old Victrola, a relic from my grandparent's furniture store in 1940, when Europe was enduring the horrors of war. It's all we had until about 1952, when 33 1/3 rpm long-playing equipment came along. The one lesson I take away from this is that I wish I had saved up and invested in the very best equipment back then, instead of jumping at each sonic "break-through" that came along. But it was a hobby and dabbling with electronics runs in the family. My Uncle Bill Mickel was the first ham radio operator to contact Australia, back in the 1920s. He went on to manage the big 100,000-watt clear-channel station KOB in Albuquerque. During WWII, Uncle Bill repaired electronics on B-29 bombers stationed on Guam. He would be amazed at my audio equipment today, although phonographs and FM transmission haven't changed much since he was alive. Living near a big city affords me the opportunity to hear real, live music and only a large speaker can realistically recreate that experience for me. Sean, I'm glad you acknowledged the important role that the laws of physics play. So many who have never played in a band, nor attended a symphony performance or been down front at a jazz concert don't realize the difference in the dynamics (presence) of live music as opposed to what comes out of a tiny box. Even my big, heavy speakers can't quite approach the realism of actually being there, but they are close. Little speakers and heavily-damped 'acoustic suspension' speakers make the musicians sound like they are around the corner and down the hall to me. There are no dynamics, consequently there is little emotional content. Loudspeakers are devices for setting air in motion. The dimensions of the interface between transducer and the air are as important as the other qualities. Little speakers make small sounds; turned-up they make loud distortion. Period. When I was younger, I didn't know the difference. Many, who use music as a background to something else they are doing (riding an elevator?) will be perfectly happy with small speakers. I was once.
Great video thanks. I have owned a pair of 1990's Spendor LS 3/5a speakers for over 20 years, and whilst I love them to bits, I have definitely learned to avoid albums that are too bright or forward as they can be quite unforgiving. Give them the right well recorded live vocal/instrumental tracks however, and they are utterly beguiling in how they present the music. I recently auditioned a pair of Harbeth P3-ESR XD speakers and after one week (my dealer was very generous!) I have placed an order, and hope to receive them in 3 months from the UK. I can finally play albums that I haven't touched for years, and the detail in the midrange is so much better. I am happy to trade-off the phenomenal detail and "air" around the higher frequencies that I have with my Spendors to gain the broader presentation that the Harbeths give. I have an ancient REL Storm 1 which I use to just subtly fill in the low end and am really looking forward to 20+ years with these Harbeths. What I found fascinating was that when I heard the P3ESRs in the dealers showroom I found them boring and uninvolving, and I nearly didn't bother to take them home. Over a series of days of listening at home, I liked them more and more to the point that I knew they were the right choice.
Hey Peter how do you like the p3esr XD by now? I have an iteration of the falcons but share your annoyance that the top end is too hot. I used to have Harbeth c7 and they were very soggy and rolled off. Is the p3XD the best of both worlds here?
@@twostepped999 I have now had them for quite a while and absolutely love them. I have sold my LS3/5a’s with no regrets. They have a really well balanced sound and my ancient subwoofer is set to just fill in the bottom end subtly. I can listen to a wide range of music now that I just couldn’t before. The timbre of acoustic instruments are phenomenal. Vocals are natural without overemphasis. At the time I also auditioned the M30.2 XDs, and they are also amazing and more detailed at the top end…but they were twice the price. I did like the vocal presentation from the 30.2 more than the P3 but they also presented the soundstage much further forward which I am less keen on. If you have the money they are well worth a listen though as in some ways I still regard the 30.2 as the best of both styles…but very expensive!
@@petermcilroy5742 thanks for your thoughts. I am moving to a small space with neighbors so as much as I would prefer the 30.2 for all of those reasons, it’s probably not the best move. And you are right. What outrageous pricing for all of these including the p3. They do it because they can and people buy. Though I like the idea of dealers, used market becomes more and more viable as time goes on, they will price themselves straight out of business IMO
very good comparison. im using an 80s 15 ohm rogers pair. gotta agree. they are not laid back or smooth but with a respectable recording, be it analog or digital, its just heavenly. played a 320kbps rip of pink's glitter in the air through a teac udh01 dac and it made my eyes water with the super realistic vocal reproduction
I bought a pair of Rogers LS3/5As back in the 80s and still have them. They were astonishingly cheap back then, ~$400 iirc. No, they were never intended to be daily drivers as such, they're too limited in frequency and dynamics. I had another speaker to rock out but the LS3/5As were my first taste of the hi-end, they're so refined
The Falcon Golds sound amazing. I heard them in a small 4x4 metre room at a show and I had no idea these speakers were playing. I though it was a bigger pair of Falcon speakers sitting beside them. Big, wide sound. Very refined and easy to listen to.
I love your vids. You always do a great job. Yes, 3/5 speaker prices have gotten out of control, with the exception of the Chinese SA version. My mind can fill in the bass that is not there. In exchange, you get magical mids, but it, indeed, has become a tough call on whether these are worth the dough at such elevated pricing levels.
There is something special about the sound from small audiophile speakers. Ages ago I was at an audio show, and the most beguiling sound there was in a small room with some Totem model 1s, powered by a small Quad integrated.
I just bought the klipsch sixes! Can I share something with you? I used Bluetooth. Listened to the alternate take 1 studio recording of "in the ghetto" by elvis presley. I wept openly, The sound was so detailed and the imaging was like I was right inside the recording studio with the king. I'm still wet in the eyes as I type this review of the klipsch sixes. And I spent 499 with free shipping and no tax. Elvis's otherworldly tone, his baritone was so detailed and crystal clear. The future is powered speakers and DSP. KLIPSCH has a winner here. Strangely enough, these speakers have been out for a few years, but I only found out about them a couple months ago. At first, I was going to buy the newer klipsch fives, but I am not connecting to a smart tv or any tv. I'm strictly using for my music. Anyone else heard the klipsch sixes?
Got off the review merry-go-round with the Harbeth P3 in Rosewood. No regrets. And the quality of the Rosewood cabinet is an easy tie breaker for me when choosing among these similar sounding speakers. Thanks Sean!
I do love the LS3/5a. "Back in the day" (80s) we had tons of them where I worked, and nobody really "cared" about them...they weren't rare or especially valuable back then. They got tossed around and scuffed up 😭 People I worked with would *constantly* shuttle video tapes with the volume up, burning out the tweeters 🙄 I must have replaced at least twenty KEF T27s. KEF used to take the blown units in part exchange 😄 The good old days. The HMV Megastore was right opposite the road I worked on...spent many a lunch break in there...and they had dozens of white Rogers LS3/5a's hanging from the ceiling. Sounded GREAT. Really helped "sell" the music! I had two pairs of Spendors a couple of years ago, but sold to finance something I needed even more 😕 Must get another pair....but so many choices...and I couldn't live with that hideous badge on the Chinese clones. My god that's ugly! I don't think I'd be happy with anything but a "real" LS3/5a. Anyway, enough of my rambling... xx
I have the ProAc EBTs. They’re fast and articulate. I’ve had them since 87. Still plugging , still great! Like this comparison video. Really let’s you see the range and depth of what was and still is a classic speaker that has a pleasant signature. You do do worse! Stay safe mates!😊👍🏻😷
I own a pair of the P3ESR's and when you said some people may find them boring I laughed cause as soon as I saw them that was the first word that popped into my head. Was using them with Quad Elite CD, Pre and QSP. Supposed to be a match made in heaven (and I did demo them) thought they'd sound better in my room (they didn't) lesson learned. Swapped them out for KEF R3's which were a huge improvement to my ears. Personally I think they are overrated and overpriced. Just my opinion mind. I'm up against 99% of the Internet that think Harbeth are a holy grail of some sort. Was going to stick them I'm my bedroom system and even then I ended up getting a pair of Neat Motive SX3's instead. Guess I'm just a philistine.
Dam you good bro ! I researched these speakers deeply why? Because i never owned a ls35a with 33 years of being and Audiophile dam i know i am missing out ! but don't confuse those 33 years of an audiophile with actually reviwing gear i only have 1.5 years expierence with that aspect and thats a whole new world Thanks Sean ! Those Harbeths look clean !!
Sean says, " I'm not sure if anyone of you got anything out of it" . Sean , Your listening experience show your confidence in your reviews/descriptions/thoughts. Your videos are well done all the time. Thanks... :)
For my bedroom system I decided to with P3ESR standard version. I grabbed the dealer's last pr new in box! BTW there is another guy in a forum who owned XD version and after break in he traded it back in for the standard version.
Brilliant comparison. Thank you, Sean! After your review on the Mofis I went out and bought one (DIY edition directly from Falcon UK). Still have to pair it with an amplifier. Keep it up and have a good Christmas 🌲 time!
Great review Sean! Building a desktop sound system I got a pair of Sound Artist LS3/5A and really enjoyed the music I was getting! This got me thinking about the true LS3/5As so I ended getting Falcons Mofi Edition LS3/5As. Wow! the MoFi are at another level! I agree on you comparison of these two speakers. Being desktop or nearfield system I'm using a SET EL84 amp I built and surprised of the music this 2W amp and the LS3/5a is putting out. Now I find I'm spending more time sitting behind the desktop enjoying and rediscovering details in the music! Thanks and keep up the good work!
For a desktop system and perhaps a near field experience, I've had terrific luck with my P3 XD's using the Luxman SQN-150 integrated that you've reviewed before. 12W but I actually had to turn the volume down, fantastic combination IMO
@@yannickfrancois9632 Absolutely....in an intimate desktop system sitting about 2-3 feet away from the speakers, which sit on Isoacoustics Aperta stands. In an open room on stands? Not sure but it would work if it was a smallish room. Alan Shaw at Harbeth has driven much of the conversation away from tube amps towards SS and maintains a stubborn insistence on 50-100W+ SS amps which my experience refutes, at least to my satisfaction.
I am quite happy with Falcon Mofi in my desktop. I don't have deep comparison knowledge in this class, but I'm shocked how great these sound with a well recorded CD source and they also excel for basic computer video/podcast listening. Price is high at $2k although build quality is high to match. I am grateful I can regularly enjoy this little bit of sonic luxury in my home.
Io possiedo le Falcon Ls3/5 Gold Badge, 15 Ohm. Sono diffusori incredibili con, tanta sapienza , e unici nel loro genere! Meritano solo grandi applausi 👋
Have you heard the XD yet? I'm curious what you think. I have them on my desk right now, but I've (embarrassingly) never heard the original P3. I've read that the differences aren't that stark, so I just went with the newer model. It took me a while to get used to the less open/detailed sound compared to most speakers, but the smoothness and imaging are on point.
I’m 67 and been messing with audio since 1970 ish. I’ve heard a lot about these speakers and always wondered about them. But, as you said, they are a lot of Doe Rae Me! The only way I’d ever experience them is if I could find a dealer still in business to listen.
HEY Joe, what are you doin' with that LS3/5a (gun) in your hand? as a former owner of the Rogers LS3/5As in the early to mid 80s, i feel qualified to comment here. i have to say that i am sorry i ever let them get out of my hands but to upgrade to another speaker, i had to sell the current ones. i got exemplary sound when i used them without a sub and not in the near field but on short, back angled stands and an excellent 100wpc SS amp and SS pre. then i thought i would extend the lows using a passive Dahlquist xover with Infinity Monitor Jrs as a sub (flat too 30Hz). no matter how i set the xover point at 60 or 80Hz, the only choices, there would be either a big hump with 80 or a hole at 60. so i got a Dahlquist electronic xover, but the existing 100Hz hump that makes them sound big on their own was distracting. believe me, i worked at it. soooo, they went out for sale and i replaced them eventually with their descendants, the Spendor S3/5s which are flat all the way down to their 60Hz rolloff. with my third in succession sub, the Rythmik sealed servo 12" sub, the Spendors sound magnificent. you should try to get a listen to a Rythmik if you haven't already. a note about the T27 tweeter, they compress at the top of their range which may contribute to the "brightness" you mentioned. but i will say that it never bothered me once with the LS3/5As. my Fried Model RIIs (another of my favorite speakers, which i still own) have the same KEF B110 and T27 and i detect the silvery compression ever so slightly on some material. it could be why you have such a fondness for your Harbeths. i can't bring myself to leave the grills on speakers for listening. they always sound so much more open without them. thr Rogers i had never sounded wrong to me without the grills. exceptions would be Maggies (i have MMGs) and the Vandersteen IIs and IIIs with their sock that is fairly distant from the tweeter itself and the fact that it NOT easy to remove. ...hifitommy
Hey Sean, thank you very much for your time and effort put in these excellent reviews. I am wondering if you have had a chance to listen to newer Harbeth P3ESR XD version and what your opinions comparing to standard and anniversary versions are? Are you planning on reviewing the XD version? Thank you very much for getting back :)
What a boring world we would live in if we all had the same tastes. Thanks for your opinions Sean. You're one of a very few that I trust to be accurate.
Pipe🗸, slippers🗸, tweed jacket with leather patches on elbows🗸 cup of Earl Grey tea🗸. Time to Rock 'n Roll. But seriously, nice review Sean, now where are the Proac Tablettes? All very desirable but, personally as a purist, I have to rule out the Sound Artists. Wish I still had my original Rogers LS3/5a. Unfortunately, somebody broke into my apartment and stole them back in the 80's.
Although its not an official LS3/5a, I'd like to give props to the XSA Labs Vanguard speaker. It's $995 and voiced to sound like the "real thing", albeit with a bit more bass extension (it still has minimal bass below 60ish htz). I have mine in a near/midfield set up in a tiny room (well treated) with an 8" sub and am floored by the imaging, and midrange quality. The way it handles vocals is stunning, especially in certain tracks where the center image is dead on and locked in. Certain tracks are spooky how close to me the singer gets. This lends itself to being a great instrument speaker as well. Jazz and classical are great, the sub is very helpful here. It is a bit thin in the "sparkle" department. Soundstage is limited by my room, but it certainly goes wall to wall and given the right source material touches on 3d/holographic/wrap around effects. Dynamics are solid and it can deal well with big passages, within reason. Pairs well with cheaper class D amps. Recommended!
Too bad most of us can't audition these classic BBC bookshelf speakers at a brick and mortar HiFi store before we decide which one to buy😢! Your channel helps to confuse and delineate the sweet spot for a "Best Buy" in each category of affordability for beginners with no money and those of us who can easily afford the $3,000 speaker. I agree that near field brings out the best in my sound aura and 👍👍 for your 10 year choice aka Harbeth!
One other thing...I recently found a previously "lost" gold Spendor badge (from a pair of LS3/5a's I had already sold), in case anyone needs one (for a reasonable price!).
I feel that they are designed to be listened at about a meter to 75cm.... They are for nearfield monitoring, that's what they were made for. Best result is, have two office panels together or something similar up against the wall then pop your desk in and have them about 10cm from the panels, get panels with acoustic foam panels. It's about getting rid of the reflections coming back in, plus reducing low end disturbance. By having office panels they have a wood based material in the middle and when having 2/3 of them it helps with bass trapping, remember, there small monitor and designed for near field listening. The 70's
Good review as always! You need to try the latest Rogers version, I noted your comments on it to another viewer saying it did not compare due to being made in China! Wow! Its made in England, the drivers are made to Whittles exact spec in Asia and further work is done on the drivers in England. Its worth noting that none of the current ls3/5a variants use the original Kef drive units! The crossover and cabinets/grill are made in England and the whole speaker is assembled in the Rogers factory in England! The look and finish of it is in my opinion the best of all the ls3/5a variants, superb! It has just won an award for best speaker in Australia, and there are 2 other outstanding reviews on rogers web page, plus a specially made ls3/5a speaker stand. Check it out please!
Interesting and complete video, but at the same time incomplete and inaccurate. The BBC needed monitors for its mobile units and commissioned its former engineer Raymond Cooke and his company Kef to design that monitor, and they used the T27 and B110A drivers for it. The BBC also licensed the production of these monitors to other manufacturers, but in all cases the drivers and filters were supplied by Kef. Years later, Malcolm Jones, former Kef engineer, and responsible for the design of the original T27 and B110A, decided to recreate in the most faithful way possible, those drivers and those speakers in which he once participated in their design, offering us the opportunity to enjoy today a product that faithfully reproduces the original design and sound.
Sean, it would be great if you gave us some recommendations about which amps can drive the LS3/5a (and the P3ESR) better than others. Thanks in advance.
Really love my revealing yet forgiving p3’s. They grow on me with time. Is the Heed Elixir / Abacus DAC combo still your preferred option for desktop use below 3k amp/dac?
Great video Sean. I will stick with my Sierras until they or I die😀 Can’t justify the money just to say I tried. But if I won the lottery or had a stock blow up I would snag a pair in a heartbeat. Peace
Ive always wondered why the Chinese version only, always have an off-centred foam square around it's tweeter unlike that which they emulated. And i wonder if it's caused LS3/5A owners to think the Chinese were onto something & cause them to re-position their LS3/5A's or Harbeth's (etc) foam squares similarly, just to see if it's lack of symmetry improves things hearing -wise.
I just received my Harbeth P3ESR's and they are nice nice nice! Thx for suggesting them Sean! How the hell do you get the grills off though? They are very tight on there and I dont want to scratch the cabinet.. Cheers, TS
Thanks, Sean, I really like your comparisons. I was going to get the Harbeth M30.1s until I tried the Buchardt 400 which I love because of the size, weight and frequency range/s. But I love the little Harbeths too. I have heard the Stirling and Graham/Chartwell and base-Falcons, and liked them all. The most underrated is the Stirling, which when properly matched with a good amp are wonderful. Someone is going to have to add the Stirling and Chartwells to this comparison test someday. Or do you think "enough is enough"?
When I first encountered the Rogers LS3/5A's in 1977 they were $450 a pair. I passed and bought the DCM Time Windows for $600 - a superior full-range speaker. Rogers now charging $4K is a rip-off!
The LS3/5A's dip isn't at the crossover point. It's actually further down nearer to the lower midrange. Unlike many BBC designs there is actually a peak in the upper midrange which is a characteristic of the bextrene KEF B110 woofer they use. Never the less the low mid dip fills in nicely when the speaker is placed well out in the room and listened to from a distance. While they aren't perfect they do so many things right that it wins the day for many listeners who love them.
Would you review any of the Sonus Faber if you havent, I, for one, am very curios to hear your thoughts, I really liked what I heard one time in one of the showrooms (it was a bookshelf)
I just purchased a pair of JM Lab Chorus 705 speakers from I'm guessing about 2002 because they aren't Focal they are different from the Focal Chorus 705. For one they are shorter and they have a slot port instead of the round port. They do have the inverted tweeter with a wave guide. So far I really like them but I've really wanted the Harbeths or one of the original LS3/5a but as you mentioned the pricing is insane. That's one advantage of the Sound Artist clones is they can be had for $700 delivered. Not that $700 is an insignificant amount but that's a fraction of all the others.
Yes, that's partly responsible for the presentation. It's important to note that this can be compensated for in the xover circuit, as demonstrated by the Harbeth P3.
Thanks for the reply Sean. I know there is no soundclip in this video, but in other gearreviews you often have....and they sound absolute great compared to most other reviewers. So how do you put them in?
Great stuff sean! LS3/5a shoot out. Great concept. Want to add a set to my collection but I’m thinking used to save a couple of bucks. We’ll see. Got to get a pair though. Peace ✌️
Nice one Sean, thanks! I’ve been eyeing the little Graham Swisstone LS3s for nearfields. I just love my LS6s for my main stereo, and their LS3/5a are a bit too out of my price range.
I've wanted falcons for years. Would love to review one on my channel. Feel free to send them over when you're done ;) I've also want to hear the Graham variant, which isn't in this video.
@@billiondollarbaby3276 Yup. Has been a hard one for me to get to listen to for some reason. Hopefully I get to listen to one some day, and compare with the Falcons (current favorites). I asked MoFi reps for a review sample at RMAF 2019, they said "We don't do that." But , they sent one to Sean, so... maybe I should reach back out...
The Harbeth BBC LS5/12a will walk over any LS3/5a and any similar size speakers. The LS5/12a has tonal balance and the natural sound of the Quad ESL63.
My fellow audio nerds, like you I never really believed in cables but that was until I bought a pair of Harbeths! The truth is you're NOT gonna hear a difference in speaker cables with entry-level speakers. BUT once you get some serious SOPHISTICATED speakers, YOU'RE GONNA HEAR IT!
I feel the need to make a confession. For YEARS I have great electronics but shitty speakers. The incongruity was driving me mad. It wasn’t until I got some real, serious speakers that I stopped being angry at my system.
Very cool video. I am interested in the P3s. I read your answer on how they compare to the 40th Anniversary model. Do you have any experience with the Linn Majik 109s? They are slightly lower in price and I wonder how would you rate them compared to the P3ESR and the LS50 meta.
So Sean: Harbeth's Comfy slippers it is then;-) Ever heard the new ProAc Tablettes? I had the original external crossover model. Let them go finally for KEF LS50s last year. I gained richness, scale and imaging is even better. No regrets after 30 years!
Wish you had included KEFs new LS50 Meta which is $1500 per pair. They are supposed to be less brute than original. I believe it was KEF’s version of the Harbeth.
'This video contains long unscripted and uninterrupted takes' - All part of your style - which I for one, appreciate - keep it real! You may not have heard of the Wilmslow Audio (UK) kit LS3 starting at £340 inc mdf cab flat pack to £625(ex vat) kit with fully built veneered cab. Been around on&off for some decades. Based on a Monacor driver that is regarded as a reliable replacement for the KEF B110 that I think were used in later LS5's.
It's not by choice. Harbeth has run into production challenges due to restrictions in the UK. Their latest XD series has also been more popular than expected, which means each production unit is sold before it lands in the distributors country. Harbeth put a hold on reviews until they are able to get their head above water. As I understand it, it'll be a couple months until that may happen.
