“The BBC LS3/5a is a small, classic BBC designed speaker monitor, originally developed in the early 1970s for nearfield listening in studios and broadcast vans. It became a cult classic and is renowned for its excellent mid-range reproduction and detailed, well-balanced sound, although it lacks deep bass due to its compact size. Many companies like ROGERS, CHARTWELL, HARBETH, and FALCON have produced or currently produce licensed versions, while other companies produce clones based on the original specifications”.
An initiative was suggested by none other than Mr.Joseph Ki (JoKi in the BBC LS3/5a community) when he learnt from me that I have not play with my AUDIO NOTE M10 Signature Tube Linestage/ Preamplifier (said M10S) for sometimes. Then he expressed his desire to listen to that said M10S with my FALCON BBC LS3/5a Gold Badge speakers (that he too owned).
Then I figured why not set up an almost all tubes electronics ‘audio system‘ (except for the MARANTZ K.I. PEARL LITE SA/CD player and the HIFI ROSE RS150B Server/ Streamer player) that comprised of the ARIES CERAT KASSANDRA 2 Limited Edition Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC), the said M10S and the CONRAD JOHNSON PREMIER 11A tube amplifier, for the said initiative/ listening session.
As most tube electronics require some run in time before any serious listening, I estimated that at least a few weeks were required to properly set up that ‘audio system‘ with the FALCON Gold Badge before sending out the invitation to JoKi and some other interested audiophile friends.
However, when I heard that ‘audio system‘ with my FALCON Gold Badge,…
I could not believe the “Begotten Level of Enjoyment“.
I was (too) excited enough to post that ‘audio system‘ with the FALCON Gold Badge at the analoguefellowship.com Facebook account.
‘Fate‘ has it that another local BBC LS3/5a speakers collector, Mr.KY Lee saw the posting and expressed his interest to participate in the listening session. He sweetened his participation by bringing in his pairs of the FALCON BBC LS3/5a KINGSWOOD WARREN Limited Edition (retail at British Pound ยฃ7,999 per pair then) and FALCON BBC LS3/5a MAIDA VALE Limited Edition speakers (retail at Ringgit Malaysia RM18,500 per pair then),…which I have yet listen and experience through my ‘audio system‘ and that the listening session/ experience may be an interesting material to write about.
Actually, my journey into the BBC LS3/5a started with…
the GRAHAM AUDIO CHARTWELL BBC LS3/5 by Derek Hughes,
son of the original BBC designer Spencer Hughes, whom engineered that modern version,…which was the first pair of the famed two-way, sealed-box bookself speaker based on the original BBC design, that I bought from the then SINGAPORE Distributor, AUDIOLINE (retail at British Pound ยฃ1650 for Cherry – ยฃ1,800 for Rosewood per pair then). I remembered that I was…
captivated by its Natural and Detailed reproduction of the Human Voice (a BBC LS3/5’s Forte).
With that pair of CHARTWELL LS3/5 speakers, I went and compared them with the FALCON BBC LS3/5a and some early versions of BBC LS3/5a speakers in JoKi‘s and KY Lee‘s collection (both collectors are renowned to have some early version of BBC LS3/5a of different brands plus early serial number that supposedly represent the most authentic/ closest sound quality to the BBC LS3/5?).
In short, I was delighted with my CHARTWELL LS3/5‘s reproduction of the Human Voice, Stringeth Instrument, Spatiality and Soundstaging,…
that reminiscented to some early versions of BBC LS3/5a speakers in their ownership.
Henceforth, I started to use the CHARTWELL LS3/5 to listen and investigate the attribute(s) and character(s) of many audio components and my audio den/ space. Then, I began to realise the raison d’รชtre behind their following even among veteran audiophile,…
the BBC LS3/5 and LS3/5a speakers are what I called “Honest Transducers” and an “Audiophile’s Tool“.
When I learnt that FALCON LOUDSPEAKERS (UK) have released the BBC LS3/5a Gold Badge (Cherry or Walnut retail Ringgit Malaysia RM17,900 a pair) and received some very positive reviews,…
I could not hold myself from buying a pair…
from their local distributor, AV DESIGNS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD.
To my knowledge, the FALCON Gold Badge features enhanced crossovers with larger transformer-style inductors and special capacitors,…
inspired by the limited “KINGSWOOD WARREN” edition.
It is designed for high fidelity with meticulous construction using FALCON’s own B110 bass/midrange and T27 tweeter drivers, hand-assembled and,…
widely considered to be a Top-Tier reproduction of the Original Design.
I found the FALCON Gold Badge to be able to reproduce exceptional Midrange Clarity, Precise Imaging, more Detailed and Refined sound compared to their earlier version,…and the CHARTWELL LS3/5.
Although both FALCON Gold Badge and the CHARTWELL LS3/5 were from the same pedigree, however they…
sounded ‘slightly different‘ in ‘characteristic‘.
The CHARTWELL LS3/5 sounded to me, Richer at the Mids, Lesser at the Extreme Highs and ultimately Bloomier (that reminiscented to the early versions of BBC LS3/5a that I have heard,…thus testified its authenticity in sound quality to the original?) than the FALCON Gold Badge (…or that the aged component(s) in the early versions of BBC LS3/5a was behind that sound characteristics?).
However, the similarity in all new and ol’ BBC LS3/5 and LS3/5a is that…
they are not suitable for bass-heavy and very demanding music, and require careful matching with amplifiers*
*caution delivered.
As promised, KY Lee attended the listening session with his FALCON MAIDA VALE LE and FALCON KINGSWOOD WARREN LE.
Then, we set up the FALCON MAIDA VALE LE, with ‘final touches’ by JoKi, at the designated Full Cast Iron speaker stands at my pre-determined positions in my audio den, with that ‘audio system‘.
According to FALCON LOUDSPEAKERS (UK), “the FALCON MAIDA VALE LS3/5a is a special Limited Edition version of the classic BBC LS3/5a speaker, produced to commemorate the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios. It is a British-made 15-ohm version featuring hand-built drive units identical to the original, matched filter networks, and cabinets made from graded Baltic ply. This model was limited to 50 pairs worldwide and includes a signed owner’s certificate and a 5-year guarantee“.
Listening to just a pair of the FALCON MAIDA VALE LE was a first for me and,…quite immediately
they exuded their Superior Sound Quality over their sibling,
the FALCON Gold Badge, eventhough both versions have the same Family Sound /Characteristic.
The FALCON MAIDA VALE LE opened Up and Wider the Soundscape of the presentation. That also allowed the reproduction of a…
more convincing Three [3] Dimensional Soundstage
and was filled with…
better Delineated and Fuller Imaging
of the instruments and performing artists.
The notes from the instruments were reproduced with…
Richer Tonality, especially at the audible Midrange.
Given the right materials, the FALCON MAIDA VALE LE was able to…
exert a Presence to the music presentation…
that belied its specification. No, I am not saying that the FALCON MAIDA VALE LE performed outside its intended specification, but that it was able to surprise me with its ability to sustain the lower registry. The surprise continued with…
its Bass Quality and Bass Quantity that belied its size.
The FALCON MAIDA VALE LE was ‘a notch better’ at and able to deliver the Bass than the FALCON Gold Badge,…remember the above *caution.
The final BBC LS3/5a speakers to be played at the listening session was the FALCON KINGSWOOD WARREN LE,…
named after the BBC’s Kingswood Warren Research Department…
where the original speaker was conceived. It is considered to be ‘an Extremely Rare, Limited Edition version of the classic LS3/5a speaker designed to be…
the most accurate recreation of the original BBC prototypes.
It uses a special crossover with…
rare Polycarbonate Capacitors and a Unique Rose-Gold plated binding posts for Superior Sound Quality.
It is a highly sought-after collector’s item for its meticulous build quality and ability to deliver a “classically British” sound, though its exclusivity and price point limit accessibility‘.
In term of its cabinet dimensions, the FALCON KINGSWOOD WARREN LE was a tad smaller than the FALCON MAIDA VALE LE and FALCON Gold Badge, but quite similar to the CHARTWELL LS3/5.
In term of sound quality, it was…
a Hands Down Winner! for Best Sound Quality!
BBC LS3/5a at the listening session. The FALCON KINGSWOOD WARREN LE has all the abovementioned Sound Qualities/ Characteristics of the other FALCON BBC LS3/5a versions,…and more.
Firstly, it was its audible Midrange which was…
more Transparent, Detail, Neutral and Natural, comparatively
(so easy and believable to the ears),…thus presented the…
most Convincing Human Voice and Stringeth instrument ‘here’.
Secondly, the mid to lower…
Bass was Cleaner, Clearer, more Articulate, Defined, and On-Point,…
thus presented even better Coherency at the note played.
Thirdly, it was able to…
extend the Soundscape to another level of Width, Height and Depth,…
and given the right materials, the soundscape may even extend to the Entire Sizable Listening Room,…
an Immersive (almost surround) Sound Experience…
in my 18′ (W) x 28′ (L) x 8′ (H) treated audio den.
LIKE I ALWAYS SAY…
To be frank, I was surprised that there were…
Audible and Obvious differences in sound quality
between the different versions of FALCON BBC LS3/5a; the Gold Badge, the MAIDA VALE LE and the KINGSWOOD WARREN LE. They maybe of similar design but the different components employ, the different level of attention to detail and the different method of construction in each version that ultimately give out very different result,…and different cost.
Whether the asking price for any version of the FALCON BBC LS3/5a is justifiable very much depends on the status and character of the purchaser/ audiophile. Even for an astute BBC LS3/5a collector, the highest price KINGSWOOD WARREN LE is justifiable as an investment, and the lower price MAIDA VALE LE maybe considered a bargain (?).
As for an audiophile, the FALCON LS3/5a Gold Badge maybe the…
Necessary Learning Transducer (/Tool)
to better understand tonality, neutrality, naturalness, transparency, detail/resolution, imaging, soundstaging, soundscaping and,…
the Surrounding Space of the audio system.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.
- System type: Two-way, sealed-box (infinite baffle)
- Frequency response: 70Hz70 cap H z70๐ป๐งโ20kHz20 k cap H z20๐๐ป๐ง ยฑ$3dB$
- Sensitivity: 83dB (for 2.83V @ 1m)
- Impedance: 15 ohms (nominal)
- Crossover: Falcon Acoustics FL6/23 (BBC design)
- Crossover frequency: 3kHz3 k cap H z3๐๐ป๐ง
- Drivers:
- 19mm Falcon Acoustics T27 tweeter
- 127mm or 138mm Falcon Acoustics B110 mid-bass unit
- Cabinet: Selected grade Baltic Birch Ply with Beech battens, internally damped
- Dimensions (HรWรD): 305mm ร 190mm ร 165mm
- Weight: 5.35kg to 5.40kg per speaker
- Finishes: Cherry, Walnut, Rosewood, Burr Walnut, Yew, and others depending on the edition