floor-stander/large stand-mounter to complement LS3/5a

[audio_PHIL_e]

Thanks for the suggesttion. Have not tried. Given the prices of LS3/5A that would be a costly experiment

I don't know if it would work with a budget LS3/5A knockoff or if you could borrow some real ones to try it.

 

[tackleberry]

Heard them like that, I don’t agree with Kessler. But I’m a novice.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

Heard them like that, I don’t agree with Kessler. But I’m a novice.

Maybe your listening room isn't the same as his

 

[tackleberry]

There is that. It wasn’t mine anyway.

 

[hearhere]

Hi All,

I have Falcon acoustics LS3/5A gold badge version. I absolutely love it. My listening room is 12x18 feet, at times it does sound like small speaker and I miss the scale and presence. So I am looking for a floor stander or large stand mounter that has similar sonic signature or just a bigger version of LS3/5a's. In my country I don't have access to all british HIFI brands, but can get Spendor, Harbeth, Falcon's, Proac, KEF, ATC etc. Appreciate any advise.

TIA
Regards

If you like the house sound of the LS3/5A - and plenty of people do - then perhaps a grown-up relation may be your best bed. LS3/5A is of course a BBC design from decades ago and their bigger designs are available but slightly disguised as original drivers are no longer available (and I guess the BBC is no longer issuing licences) from Harbeth and Spendor as both companies were invloved with BBC designs. At one hi-fi show I visited I thought that the Harbeth 40 was the best sound I heard, despite looking positively 1950s! An over-sized stand-mount and pretty costly but sporting a decent sized bass driver that contributes to a "relaxed" and natural sound that is refreshing after listening to other designs where bass is squeezed out of a couple of 6 or 7" drivers. making much heavier work of the task in hand.

Personally I don't like ATC since I had a pair of Active 50s 20 years ago. Too much "in-yer-face" and needed to be pushed 20 ft further way. Unfortunately not possible in my 350 sq ft room at the time. Perhaps their models designed for domestic use (40 and smaller) would be more acceptable, but I'd look at Harbeth and Spendor first. Good luck

 

[MartinC]

Thanks. I don't use and no plans to use a sub. I am little sensitive to pressure on the ear with extreme low end. Not sure if sealed enclosure would help, but certainly has some problems with front ported speakers going 30Hz.

From a quick Google it looks like your amp has a line level subwoofer output? If so you could pass the signal through something to high-pass filter the signal sent to the sub and so limit how low it goes. You could use something like a miniDSP 2x4 HD to do this, whilst also giving some EQ capability. I'm guessing this sort of approach won't really be for you but just making the point that not wanting to go too low isn't a reason not to use a subwoofer if it might appeal otherwise.

If you're sensitive to 30 Hz I very much doubt where the ports might be would make any different by the way. Was it your current room where you noticed the issue actually? The 18' length would correspond to the lowest room mode frequency being at about 31 Hz so my guess is more what you noticed is disproportionately high signal levels at this frequency.

 

[uzzy]

IMF Transmission line - or the Cambridge R40 and or R50 both of which have B139, B110 and T27 tweeters .. but if you have the money there are a pair of Art Alnico 12s on eBay at the mo for £13k which will take your breath away (not the price but how good they sound)

 

[sktn77a]

Them's all big suckers!!! How about a LS5/9 or Harbeth M30 if you like the LS3/5a, want a stand mounter, and don't want a sub?

 

[thewanderer]

Hope all add a wonderful Christmas. And thanks all for answering my query earlier. I came across a Harbeth super HL5 (not plus/XD) I picked it up. Still in early phase understanding the speaker but i see tremendous potential with properly matched gear.