The LS3/5A is perhaps the best known of all the BBC's monitor designs. The BBC needed a small monitor suitable for critical assessment of program quality in cramped mobile recording vehicles and control rooms, and nothing suitable was commercially available. At the same time, a separate research project - a study of studio acoustic scaling - had developed a miniature loudspeaker, and it was realized that it could be adapted for monitoring purposes. After much development, the original LS3/5 was born. Initially 20 units were built in-house for field trials, but when the decision was made to build another batch it became apparent that KEF had modified both drive units. As a result, significant re-engineering work had to be carried out by the BBC's design department, and this was such a major departure from the original model that the suffix A was added. The new B110 had to be disconnected from the bulkhead to prevent interaction with the cabinet. Subsequently, the new HF unit, when powered from the existing crossover, exhibited significant coloration that required modifications to the crossover and the addition of the familiar protective grille and felt pads. The small number of speakers from the original batch were now considered obsolete and the real LS3/5 was never commercially produced. Although the revised LS3/5A was very similar to the original, many at the time felt that the original speaker was better. Can this version be recreated today? Graham Audio presents the ultimate version of the most famous of all BBC loudspeakers, and does so under one of the most cherished names associated with the LS3/5A: Chartwell. The bespoke drive units and crossover networks have been developed by Derek Hughes in collaboration with Volt and Seas loudspeakers to produce an original, fully licensed loudspeaker using the very best materials available.
Specifications
System: 2-way, closed housing
Housing: Thin-wall construction, 9mm birch plywood, removable back panel
