LS3/5a buys LS3/5a's

Very interesting review. After watching the review,I’m definitely getting an itchy trigger finger.

 

Let's make this more complicated:

MUZISHARE LS3/5A Monitor Bookshelf Speakers loudspeakers Pair KEF B110 replica : China-hifi-Audio online store, Yaqin,Meixing Mingda,XiangSheng,Line Magnetic Tube Amplifier, power amp, preamp,hi-fi CD Player high end audio for sale [MUIA9831434] - $999.69 USD


I like how they say 'T27 replica' and 'B110 replica'. I'm guessing they're just stock drivers, they can't really have had replica's of the original KEF drivers made?

 

Looks like they are sold out already! I did a search on the china-hifi-audio website for 15 ohm version, to no avail. I'm sure they'll offer one eventually.
My speakers are 1978 15 ohm Chartwells and so far I have not found anything remotely close to them. I had Falcons in rosewood, and sure they were pretty but could not compare to my Chartwells.

I have been tempted to try the new 15 ohm Rogers, made in the UK with Chinese drivers. But like the Falcon, they are $$$....

 

extremely well said as usual.

 

Since when are the Falcons back at $2500? When Tone Imports was the distributor they sold for $3250. I know, I bought a pair back in 2017.

 

Now showing 8 units in stock.

 

Man, it's tempting but then there's that adage: if it's too good to be true...

The review mentioned the cabinet being made of MDF. That doesn't sound very promising.

And as much as Sean is enthusiastic and passionate, I don't think he has enough experience with the real LS3/5A to form a valid opinion for me...

 

to be fair, he's comparing them to Harbeth P3's which aren't "real" LS3/5A's, are they?

Under different personal circumstances, I'd be up for ordering a pair. Sounds like a nice speaker to throw in a room where you don't plan on sitting in the sweet spot and listening. Maybe even a nice speaker for actual bookshelves.

 

I sold my 5a's (Rogers) about fifteen years ago.

They're okay, they'd have been fine in a small study or den for a 2nd system.

I preferred the mid/tweeter presentation I got from the KEF 105 (the original, not the 2nd version).

If you ever have a chance to hear the original 105 speakers, I'd jump at it.

 

You're right, and what I meant to type in my response to @avanti1960 was $3500, not $2500. That's how much I personally think of the Falcons.

There are two guys in my music listening group who don't like the Falcons. Basically, they have no patience for any speaker cabinet less than about two cubic feet in volume. Everything else sounds thin and insubstantial to them.

The rest of the gang loves the Falcons, and have engaged in serious discussions about value vs cost.

When I had the AudioSpace versions at home, nobody liked them. At CAN$1200, they were judged a rip-off.

I won't call the Sound Artist version a rip-off, but I strongly disagree with the latest review of the things. I put my money where my mouth is though and just ordered a pair from China Audio (the speakers are apparently back in stock over there).

 

The last paragraph is kind of confusing. You don't actually disagree with the review then, right? At least not yet.

Personally I think I would be inclined to do what Sean suggested if I wanted to not spend over $2k. I would just buy a used pair of P3's (or whichever LS3/5A or 3/5A descendant I preferred). Better resale, better build quality, (probably) better sound, more pride in ownership, and at least in the case of the P3's you'd have some support. In the long run it's money well spent.

Personally I have most interest in the P3's or the Spendor 4/5, though no doubt a more official LS3/5A like the Falcons is very intriguing.

 

I'm intrigued by the 4/5. I've only seen one review online, but it was very positive (for what its worth ...) £1,600/pr. -- so that'd be what, $2,500 in the U.S.? The Spendor Classic line increasingly looks to be a challenger to what Graham/Chartwell is doing.

Speaking of, if you ever get a chance to hear the current Chartwell LS3/5 or LS3/5A, do so. They are amazingly good, IMO.

 

I came very close to buying the 4/5 but opted for the 3/1 instead. I already have the P3's and Tab 10's so I wanted a little bigger speaker.

 

How do the 3/1's compare to the P3's and Tab 10's???

 

Wow! l think there may be some manufav

Lot of it is what do you listen to.

 

Absolutely. And your associated equipment. And your room.

 

I get the 3/1’s next Monday so the following weekend I will be doing extensive listening.

 

£1,600 is about $2KUSD, or $2,800Cdn.

The Chartwell's look great. I think they retail for $3,800Cdn. Probably more than I'd be willing to spend, but if a used pair comes up then maybe. I'd love to get one of these into my room, and I know if I buy one of the Chinese ones I'll be wondering how much I'm missing out on.

Harbeth seems the safest way to go. Lots come up in the used market, brand recognition, good resale value. Spendor maybe too, depending on how the 4/5 does. The others seem to have less distribution. To be honest, getting an officially licensed LS3/5A isn't really the goal for me. It would be cool to experience that of course and if the opportunity arises then sure. But it's more the qualities of that speaker that I am interested in; the rich midrange, the clarity, the transparency. I think getting an official LS3/5A is maybe more important from a status or collectibility standpoint, which isn't meant to be a dig. Just that there are other speakers that have the same character so it's not like the LS3/5A is the only option if you want that type of sound. What I might try to do is borrow the 4/5 for a weekend for an in-home trial. No risk, and if I love them I can buy a new pair from the same dealer. Something to do post-Covid perhaps.

 

I listen to pretty much everything. Jazz and classical are my favs and have been since I was a child. But at any given time you can find me listening to anything from Wilco to Metallica or Johnny Cash to The Roots. I love music.

 

Very much so. My room is tiny and I won’t ever have a much larger one unless I win the lotto.

 

Harbeth could use a monitor with a 7 in woofer like the 3/1.
Bigger sounding than the P3 and better tweeter to mid integration than the bigger models.

 

How wonderful! Congratulations!

I'd be interested to compare, someday, with my Chartwell LS6's, which are close in size (LS6 is 14.5" tall, 6.5" woofer).

 

... and you are a NW’er!

 

When I awake some summer mornings and see the grey moved in overnight, and the temperature dropped from 80° to 65°, I'm secretly pleased.

 

Me too...supposed to rain on Thursday. I'm happy. Working from home with no A/C.