I've always been intrigued by these speakers, for what they do vs. what they don't do (loud, lots of bass, free of quirks - plenty of 'good' speakers I can buy for that).
I found Falcon sells a kit for about $1,200 USD. I know this is a TON of money if you just compare specs, but I am looking for something fun.
Falcon Q7 | The Ear
An easy choice would be something like the KEF LS50, but I worry I'd find myself a little bored with how...perfect(?) they are. I know that is strange to say.
Anyway, these would be used mostly as my computer speakers for background music as I work, or anything else that needs audio. This will not be my main system, but of course I could try them on my main system.
Using an ACA right now (I appreciate it because at the low levels and close distance, there is ZERO background noise vs. the Rotel integrated I am using as a preamp) and will upgrade the preamp side of things (like a Schitt Asgard with the Multibit).
Thoughts? If I want something flawed but lovable, good at low levels, think I would like these?
I found Falcon sells a kit for about $1,200 USD. I know this is a TON of money if you just compare specs, but I am looking for something fun.
Falcon Q7 | The Ear
An easy choice would be something like the KEF LS50, but I worry I'd find myself a little bored with how...perfect(?) they are. I know that is strange to say.
Anyway, these would be used mostly as my computer speakers for background music as I work, or anything else that needs audio. This will not be my main system, but of course I could try them on my main system.
Using an ACA right now (I appreciate it because at the low levels and close distance, there is ZERO background noise vs. the Rotel integrated I am using as a preamp) and will upgrade the preamp side of things (like a Schitt Asgard with the Multibit).
Thoughts? If I want something flawed but lovable, good at low levels, think I would like these?
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Maybe you should also consider a full range driver based speaker, they can be very good for near field use and you could save a lot of money and have a fun project.
What PJN said.
I have sold, restored and lived with a lot of LS3/5A. They were designed specifically to be near-field monitors so are aimed at your application.
IMO the LS3/5A is over-hyped and over-priced, but if you like them, what can i say.
I have gotten more out of similarily sized boxes and for a lot less $$$.
ACA likely not all that happy with them (currntly using 1 of my ACA downstairs to drive Friugel-Horn Mk3 with FF125wk [slightly tweaked]).
dave
I have sold, restored and lived with a lot of LS3/5A. They were designed specifically to be near-field monitors so are aimed at your application.
IMO the LS3/5A is over-hyped and over-priced, but if you like them, what can i say.
I have gotten more out of similarily sized boxes and for a lot less $$$.
ACA likely not all that happy with them (currntly using 1 of my ACA downstairs to drive Friugel-Horn Mk3 with FF125wk [slightly tweaked]).
dave
Canonken,
falcon's offering is a terrific opportunity for those audiophiles remebering past times. It is about emotions. If you have no problems financially, what's not to like?
Of course, you can build speaker from my sig line, which is about twice as good as anyone assumes it to be, and a lot cheaper.
falcon's offering is a terrific opportunity for those audiophiles remebering past times. It is about emotions. If you have no problems financially, what's not to like?
Of course, you can build speaker from my sig line, which is about twice as good as anyone assumes it to be, and a lot cheaper.
Thanks!
PJN - I have a pair of FR bookshelf speakers now (Fostex 4" driver, older one), I like them put always get the itch to look elsewhere.
Dave - agree at the $3,000 for a new production ones (let alone the $7,000 limited ones!) is...steep, and even this kit is by no means cheap. Why would the ACA be unhappy with them?
Lojzek - well said, it is about emotion and having fun, not for one second do I think they are 'good' in terms of measuring well, having a lot of output, etc.
PJN - I have a pair of FR bookshelf speakers now (Fostex 4" driver, older one), I like them put always get the itch to look elsewhere.
Dave - agree at the $3,000 for a new production ones (let alone the $7,000 limited ones!) is...steep, and even this kit is by no means cheap. Why would the ACA be unhappy with them?
Lojzek - well said, it is about emotion and having fun, not for one second do I think they are 'good' in terms of measuring well, having a lot of output, etc.
Even in the nearfield, I can't picture the ACA being a good match to the LS3/5a, which doesn't need much current, but being a high impedance design, likes Watts, and quite a few of them. At least when it comes to solid state. Granted, the ACA is likely a little less vulnerable than some -nevertheless, and speaking under correction, I suspect you'll struggle for SPL, and / or find things rather compressed. I did some experiments with this a few years ago, with a 15ohm multiway speaker with a rather higher baseline sensitivity than the LS3/5a; the 20w amplifier I tried running simply couldn't drive them to any worthwhile level.
Good context, thanks. Of course I could just hook them up to the MC275 and see if they like KT88 power!
Much more like it. 😉
There is still something about it. It was a good design in the '70s for its intended use, and it remains so. Falcon in particular have done a great job in bringing a genuine '70s era LS3/5a back to market. It can't live up to the excess hype, which was not of either the speaker, or the BBC's doing, but it's still good, especially when you consider those drive units are, by modern standards, showing their age. There are technically superior options available now -whether they quite capture the cache of the LS3/5a is another matter. It has that 'classic' thing going for it, a bit like vinyl. Who's betting we get a CD revival in a couple of years? 😉
There is still something about it. It was a good design in the '70s for its intended use, and it remains so. Falcon in particular have done a great job in bringing a genuine '70s era LS3/5a back to market. It can't live up to the excess hype, which was not of either the speaker, or the BBC's doing, but it's still good, especially when you consider those drive units are, by modern standards, showing their age. There are technically superior options available now -whether they quite capture the cache of the LS3/5a is another matter. It has that 'classic' thing going for it, a bit like vinyl. Who's betting we get a CD revival in a couple of years? 😉
I made these using readily available lower cost drivers but the frequency response and step response is similar to LS3/5A’s based on Sterophile measurements of Sterling LS3/5A. They sound great - about 5 other people have built them and everyone loves the sound.
RST28F and DC130A Foamcore Homage to LS3/5A
RST28F and DC130A Foamcore Homage to LS3/5A