BBC Monitors vs Raven/Fountek + Excel W17EX002

[HiFiNutNut]

The early BBC Monitor series had a legendary status. The LS3/5A was a famous little one. I have a pair of Rogers Studio 1A (another BBC monitor) that sounds very sweet and smooth, much fuller than the LS3/5A because it has more base.

However, I believe that many modern drivers are substantially better than those used by the Rogers in the old days. I am wondering if it is possible to build a pair of DIY speakers that can retain the sweetness, smoothness and the air of the old BBC Monitors while providing more details, resolution and dynamics. Would the later set of criteria destroy the first set? I don’t know. I am thinking about giving it a try.

With the curiosity, I searched the Internet and found some kits provided by Zalytron that may be interesting. One of the kits uses the Raven ribbon tweeters with the Seas Excel W17EX002 midranges (MTM) provides around 90db seems interesting to me. The parts alone in the kits are more expensive than buying a brand new commercial pair of LS3/5A so it has got to be much better in theory. The Raven is sweet and the W17EX002 seems to be a sweet driver as well.

How would you compare such a bookshelf speaker with a BBC monitor like the LS3/5A or Studio 1A?

The Fountek is so similar to the Raven in specs. Do you know if there are any differences in sound?

Many thanks

[Ap]

Am quite faimilar with the Rogers line-up.
I think you would end up with a completely different sonic flavour with mag cones / ribbons.
You maybe able to tailor a bit of warmth by increasing midbass level & decreasing treble.
If I were trying to re-create there sound with new drivers I would have to go for Seas poly (p17rcy/rex) with either the Seas Excel 25/SS 9500/Morel MDT30 - take your pick.

[Gregm]

Originally posted by Ap
I would have to go for Seas poly (p17rcy/rex) with either the Seas Excel 25/SS 9500/Morel MDT30

Or the Hiquphon (sp?) tweet. Probably "sweeter" than the seas.

[sreten]

A major factor in "BBC" speakers in the cabinet construction.

In the case of the Studio 1 and all similar Spendor BC1 derived
designs cabinet resonances are deliberately lowered in frequency
and heavily damped to leave a very clear upper midrange.

IMO this sounds fine for massed strings and the like but struggles
to maintain clean "impact" lower down the range for drums and
similar percussive "heavy" sounds, but to many its a small price
to pay for excellent midrange, and I agree.

The Studio 1 cabinets are very expensive affairs. One part of
the construction technique is fortunately having screwed in
only front and back panels (for damping), so a possibility is
simply building a new front baffle.

sreten.