Graham Chartwell LS3/5 Loudspeaker
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.
The BBC LS3/5
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 developement, 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 interacton 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.
The LS3/5 is available in Cherry. Optional Finishes available with tiered pricing.
System – 2 Way, sealed enclosure
Enclosure – Thin wall construction, 9mm birch plywood, removable rear panel
Finish – Real wood veneer
Dimensions – (w/h/d)19cm by 30cm by 17cm
Weight – 5.3kg
Frequency response – 70Hz to 20kHz, ±3dB
Nominal impedance – 9Ω
Sensitivity – 83dB SPL (2.83V, 1m)
Maximum output – 95dB for a pair at 2m
Bass/midrange – 110mm Bextrene
Tweeter – 19mm Dome tweeter
Recommended amplifier power – 25 to 50 watts unclipped program
Frequently Asked Questions
Be the first to review “Graham Chartwell LS3/5 Loudspeaker” Cancel reply
“At the end of the day, Graham Audio’s Chartwell LS3/5a was my favorite of these three seriously good, BBC-designed mini-monitors. As much as I admired the greater openness and air of the Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a, and as impressed as I was by the surprisingly rich, colorful bass of Graham’s Chartwell LS3/5—not to mention the sheer coolosity of hearing, for the first time, a historically important BBC design that has languished in obscurity for over 40 years—it was the newest LS3/5a that gave me the most consistent listening pleasure. Indeed, I was all but shocked, not just by its considerable dynamic aplomb, but by this LS3/5a’s ability to play music with natural momentum and flow, and to deliver natural, colorful, well-balanced sound—and by its compatibility (too mild a word!) with the Naim NAIT 2.”
Art Dudley, Stereophile, Jun 27, 2019 <learn more>
“While the legion of LS3/5 owners, with numerous variations on the theme, might grouse at the thought of this, I prefer the new Chartwell LS3/5 to any of the originals I’ve yet experienced. And for what it’s worth, I’ve held the first LS3/5 in my hand, at the now defunct Kingwood Warren branch of the BBC, so you know I adore these little speakers.”
Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio, February 2017 <learn more>
“Graham Audio didn’t need to make an LS3/5a. They wanted to create the sound that began it all, and succeed they certainly have. What Graham Audio have done is join two of Hifi’s iconic names in one great product, recreating the LS3/5 and bringing back that star name Chartwell. If you want warmth, musicality and detail of soundstage, and don’t mind missing out on lowest bass, then I really do suggest you take a listen. And what is so important to stress here is that you also get both detail of sound and long-listenability, which are rarely combined in a single speaker, especially one so small. ”
Hi-Fi Pig, July 2016 <learn more>
“The sound is eminently good and do not ignore the fact that they can not play loudly and are not superdynamic, so you still have one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard. They are simply so hilarious musical that you get completely moved when you listen to their favorite music.”
HIFI4ALL, July 2016 <learn more>
“The LS3/5A’s strengths are the result of a combination of things. Firstly, as a small, closed-box speaker, its low-frequency time domain performance is good. There’s no great low-frequency bandwidth extension or volume available, but the bass that is present is accurately pitched and exhibits no boomy or slurred effects. Secondly, the tonal balance of the LS3/5A, especially through the voice region, is as near perfect as you’ll probably ever hear. And it’s not just that the balance is reliable in simple tonal terms; there’s a natural and uncoloured quality to voices reproduced via LS3/5As that is unusual for any speaker at any price. And of course, tonal accuracy on voice translates to the same kind of performance on all acoustic instruments and spaces. If you want to know what, say, a cello recording really sounds like, a pair of LS3/5As will tell you. ”
Sound On SoundHi-Fi Plus, June 2016 <learn more>
“I can’t say with any authority how close the LS3/5 reproductions are to the BBC originals, other than to say that Graham Audio is content, and it is clear that considerable trouble has been taken to recreate the design. The inherently flatter frequency response might imply that, had things been different at the time, the BBC would have continued to use LS3/5s and the LS3/5a might not have happened at all. I think the collectors would have still been very happy, and they will lap this up!”
Hi-Fi Plus, April 2016 <learn more>
“I’m not going to judge if the LS3 / 5 version of Chartwell really sounds like the original, but I also do not know if I really care. The speakers are great. Despite the obvious limitations in the field of bass or dynamics, they can boast of incredibly natural sound, consistent, realistic and tangible.”
StereoLife, April 2016 <learn more>
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.