Have any of you ever heard the Rogers BBC LS3/5a studio monitor speakers? They look promising, but fetch high prices unless there's a lucky find out there. Reason I'm asking is because I want to recommend speakers to my buddy in England and could only think of the Wharfdales until I read about this brand. But I can't remember anyone discussing them
Rogers BBC LS3/5a?
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absolve2525
Super Member
I have a set of Rogers LS3/5A, they're great. Super imaging and very surprising bass. Great highs, supposed to match best with tubes but I like them fine with warm solid state. Classic but obviously not cheap. Drivers are supposed to be matched specifically for each pair, so make sure that's the case.
frperdurabo
AK Member
Spendor and Harbeth (both companies run by former BBC engineers) have updated the LS3/5a formula. I'd look at their small-format monitors (as well as those from Proac, and PMC).
The LS3/5a was the first really great-sounding mini-monitor, and still has a rabid fan bass, especially for the original 16 ohm version. Unfortunately that rabid fan bass keeps prices high. You can get better value for your money elsewhere. That said, if you buy carefully, you probably won't loose money if you decide to sell them on. The drivers and crossover components on "real" LS3/5a were hand matched, so beware of any that have been worked on. Also, all the parts, including cabinet and crossover, are available new on eBay, so also beware of "Frankenstein" versions that were built with KEF drivers scavanged from other speakers.
Spendor SP3 or Harbeth HL5 or Proac Response 1 should be available for less money and, to my ears, sound better. YMMV. England is the home to many fine small speakers, including brands already mentioned, plus Mission, Linn (Kan, Tukan, etc) ....
The LS3/5a was the first really great-sounding mini-monitor, and still has a rabid fan bass, especially for the original 16 ohm version. Unfortunately that rabid fan bass keeps prices high. You can get better value for your money elsewhere. That said, if you buy carefully, you probably won't loose money if you decide to sell them on. The drivers and crossover components on "real" LS3/5a were hand matched, so beware of any that have been worked on. Also, all the parts, including cabinet and crossover, are available new on eBay, so also beware of "Frankenstein" versions that were built with KEF drivers scavanged from other speakers.
Spendor SP3 or Harbeth HL5 or Proac Response 1 should be available for less money and, to my ears, sound better. YMMV. England is the home to many fine small speakers, including brands already mentioned, plus Mission, Linn (Kan, Tukan, etc) ....
frperdurabo
AK Member
The Quad 11 and Quad 12 are also small-format speakers available for less than LS3/5a money.
You can still buy LS3/5a's that are modelled after original versions, but have a strong familiar sound but use updated drivers.
Check Stirling Broadcast for their LS3/5a V2 model, and they also make some kits to build a sound alike version out of Monacor drivers for a bit less. They also supply beautiful cabinets built to LS3/5a specifications and repair / refurbishment parts.
http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/
http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/ls35a.html
http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/Repairs.html
Similarly, Falcon Acoustics also supplies parts and kits to build LS3/5a that are very close to the real thing. They are also making limited supplies of the original KEF B110 SP1003 because the original designer, Malcolm Jones, was the original owner of Falcon and is a consultant for them now.
http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/ls3-5a.html
In addition, Rogers is making a BBC licensed version from internationally sourced parts (Rogers is owned by a Chinese company now) but it was designed, specified and voiced by British designers and people very familiar with the LS3/5a so you can still get them new.
IMO, other companies with little or no pedigree (GINI, Audiospace, etc) make small LS3/5a like speakers, and even use the model designation but without any license so, IMO, are poor imitations. They may sound good, but they are NOT true LS3/5a's in the strictest sense.
As above, Spendor, Harbeth, even now KEF (with their LS50) create some very compelling small speakers if that is what is needed.
Used LS3/5a's are fairly abundant in the UK and can still be found frequently, sometimes at great discount, sometimes at market price, depending on condition, maker, veneer, and many times, luck.
I've still been able to find LS3/5a's all around the world, and sometimes can still find them for less than what they sell for on Ebay, occasionally much less. Keep looking if that's what's wanted, the UK has a lot of them out there, especially with the recent closure of the Main BBC research and development center last year.
Check Stirling Broadcast for their LS3/5a V2 model, and they also make some kits to build a sound alike version out of Monacor drivers for a bit less. They also supply beautiful cabinets built to LS3/5a specifications and repair / refurbishment parts.
http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/
http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/ls35a.html
http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/Repairs.html
Similarly, Falcon Acoustics also supplies parts and kits to build LS3/5a that are very close to the real thing. They are also making limited supplies of the original KEF B110 SP1003 because the original designer, Malcolm Jones, was the original owner of Falcon and is a consultant for them now.
http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/ls3-5a.html
In addition, Rogers is making a BBC licensed version from internationally sourced parts (Rogers is owned by a Chinese company now) but it was designed, specified and voiced by British designers and people very familiar with the LS3/5a so you can still get them new.
IMO, other companies with little or no pedigree (GINI, Audiospace, etc) make small LS3/5a like speakers, and even use the model designation but without any license so, IMO, are poor imitations. They may sound good, but they are NOT true LS3/5a's in the strictest sense.
As above, Spendor, Harbeth, even now KEF (with their LS50) create some very compelling small speakers if that is what is needed.
Used LS3/5a's are fairly abundant in the UK and can still be found frequently, sometimes at great discount, sometimes at market price, depending on condition, maker, veneer, and many times, luck.
I've still been able to find LS3/5a's all around the world, and sometimes can still find them for less than what they sell for on Ebay, occasionally much less. Keep looking if that's what's wanted, the UK has a lot of them out there, especially with the recent closure of the Main BBC research and development center last year.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
The best small near field monitor speaker ever made in my book. Very musical. My wife and I have an actual BBC pair. Not cheap then or now.
Kent, I'd love to see your pair if they are actually BBC sourced or used (with BBC markings). Please PM me or post some pic here if you like.
frperdurabo
AK Member
Just to be clear, my beef isn't with the LS3/5a sonics; it's the value for money aspect. If you can buy an original, unmolested pair at a good price, you won't be sorry.
Added:
That Falcon acoustics kit with new B110s looks VERY appealing, especially since bexetrene cones from the 70s may not have aged gracefully. Falcon is a GREAT company to deal with - they also have a former IMF guy working for them. Now I'm seriously thinking about getting a pair, if shipping from the UK isn't prohibitive. I can cannibalize T27 from my Kef Correlis.
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The modern Stirling LS3/5A V2 is BBC licensed and is voiced so as to be a drop in replacement for an older model; supposedly a new Stirling and a properly working old Rogers, Spendor or whatever would make a proper stereo pair. I never heard them myself, only the old ones. The Stirlings are tempting though, a little over $2000 a pair.
A friend wanted ME to sell his pair last March. Because I had to take photos, I got to listen to them for several days. I have KEF 104aB's as my standard speakers and low distortion SS electronics. I was absolutely blown away by their detail, depth and image. Since they were designed as near field monitors I just had them resting on the close ends of my coffee table. I ended up listening to them for about 20 hours over a 3 day period. I really hated to see them go. If I had the bucks they would be mine today. The KEF 104aB's use the same T27 tweeters so I moved my KEFs to the coffee table and enjoyed similar sound, but with lots deeper bass. Unfortunately, the KEF's are impractical on the coffee table.
Arkay
Lunatic Member
Excellent little speakers. The only things off-putting about them is (1) the price, and (2) they lack a bit in bass extension, as one would expect from speakers that size. That said, they go surprisingly low for such small speakers, and don't lack too much.
LS3/5a is actually the BBC's design designation for the speakers, which have been made by several companies. The Harbeth ones are sought after, as well as the Rogers and one more (whose name escapes me at the moment). Connoisseurs make small distinctions between one model and another, and there are differences between them, but all are at least pretty decent. Worth picking up if you see them at a bargain price. At full "market value", perhaps not quite so worthwhile.
LS3/5a is actually the BBC's design designation for the speakers, which have been made by several companies. The Harbeth ones are sought after, as well as the Rogers and one more (whose name escapes me at the moment). Connoisseurs make small distinctions between one model and another, and there are differences between them, but all are at least pretty decent. Worth picking up if you see them at a bargain price. At full "market value", perhaps not quite so worthwhile.
kyle
Super Member
This is from the LS3/5a Wiki:
Rogers Audio was the earliest licensee, but went broke before ever producing one unit. The name was bought by Swisstone, who started manufacturing the Rogers 3/5A under licence in 1975.[21] Rogers' production accounted for the lion's share, of around 43,000 pairs by 1988, and 50,000 pairs all told.[9] Spendor's production amounted to about 22,000 pairs, Audiomaster 10,000. Dudley Harwood, the BBC engineer instrumental in the creation of the 3/5A, starts Harbeth. Although licensed since 1977, the company produced no LS3/5A for a decade.[21] Eventually, Harbeth accounted for 7,000 pairs.[8] KEF, who obtained its licence in 1993, claims approximately 4,000 pairs made.[13] Other licensees included Chartwell, RAM, Goodmans and Stirling Broadcast.[9]
Rogers Audio was the earliest licensee, but went broke before ever producing one unit. The name was bought by Swisstone, who started manufacturing the Rogers 3/5A under licence in 1975.[21] Rogers' production accounted for the lion's share, of around 43,000 pairs by 1988, and 50,000 pairs all told.[9] Spendor's production amounted to about 22,000 pairs, Audiomaster 10,000. Dudley Harwood, the BBC engineer instrumental in the creation of the 3/5A, starts Harbeth. Although licensed since 1977, the company produced no LS3/5A for a decade.[21] Eventually, Harbeth accounted for 7,000 pairs.[8] KEF, who obtained its licence in 1993, claims approximately 4,000 pairs made.[13] Other licensees included Chartwell, RAM, Goodmans and Stirling Broadcast.[9]