BBC LS5/9 LS5/8 Owners & Discussion Thread

[Soundwise]

Have been a big fan of the BBC LS5/9 LS5/8 monitors and wanted a place to share owner's experience.

 

Personally I have used the Rogers 65th Anniversary edition LS5/9 & Bestvox LS5/9.

 

One of my favorite aspect of the 2 way design is that they are efficient and well suited to single ended tube amps using 845 or 805 power tubes with 35 watts. They are also equally at home with high powered solid state amps.

 

The LS5/9 is the smaller version of the LS5/8 which plays louder and has a more extended bass response.

 

 

Here are some links to the history of these speakers

LS5/9

 

https://www.markhennessy.co.uk/rogers/ls59.htm

https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/reports/1983-10.pdf

 

LS5/8

 

https://www.markhennessy.co.uk/rogers/ls58.htm

https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/reports/1979-22.pdf

If I had the space and funds, I'd love to try the slotted version of the LS5/8 made by Graham Audio

 

 

 

Here is the Ken Kessler review of the latest Rogers LS5/9 special edition in 2021

 

https://www.hifinews.com/content/rogers-ls59-classic-se-loudspeaker

 

 

[Guest deanB]

1 hour ago, Soundwise said:

If I had the space and funds, I'd love to try the slotted version of the LS5/8 made by Graham Audio

I'm mildly obsessing over the Graham LS5/5 at the moment. The $30k pricetag tempers my enthusiasm somewhat.

 

[Miguel]

How do the Bestvox 5/9s compare to the Rogers? I've only just discovered the Bestvox brand. They don't seem to have an English language web presence, suggesting copyright issues or similar, unless my Google skills are lacking.

 

[Soundwise]

My Bestvox LS5/9 is still running in and the bass will open up soon.

 

I don't have the Rogers on hand to compare but after lock down you are welcome to bring your favorite speakers to compare with the Bestvox.

 

Currently my LS5/9 are driven by tubes comprising Sylvania bad boys from 1952 and Brimar 17mm long plate 12AX7.

 

[MrRogers]

[Soundwise]

@MrRogers  we need to have a BBC monitor GTG after 80% vaccination, you can bring the tonearm & I'll bring the LS5/9s

[MrRogers]

It’s a deal. 

[Soundwise]

Came across this youtube review of the Graham Audio LS5/9f Loudspeakers which I thought was very interesting, honest and I could relate to a lot of what he was saying.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETrzrdtyoZ0

 

Basically he's saying that the LS5/9 is not everyone's cup of tea but every speaker has it's strengths & weaknesses.

 

My experience is that the LS5/9 is an acquired taste and once you've hear them setup right it's hard not to have them around.

[Miguel]

"...the LS5/9 is not everyone's cup of tea but every speaker has it's strengths & weaknesses..." that sounds like a very sensible speaker review! I'd be interested to compare their LS3/6 with my ancient BC1s.

Edited August 23, 2021 by Miguel

[Soundwise]

Finally, I was able to get the Bestvox LS5/9 to perform at their best tonight.

 

It was hard because the LS5/9 is such a revealing speaker and any weak links in the chain are quickly exposed.

 

The final change was to add 4 Les Davis dampers.

 

I had already used my best tubes (Sylvania bad boys from 1952 and Brimar 17mm long plate 12AX7), Nordost Heimdall power cords, silver litz shielded Aurealis interconnects with absolute harmony kle rcas, inakustik Reference LS-1603 Speaker Cable.

 

My DAC is the Benchmark DAC 2 DX, using the XLR outputs and AES/EBU connected to YBA Phillips CD PRO transport

 

After I was happy with the sound, I took a video with my iphone to record the event

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbONxwgPhug

 

Apologies for the sound quality, it sounds much better in real life.

 

So how does it compare with my Rogers 65th Anniversary Edition reviewed here?

 

https://6moons.com/audioreviews2/rogers/1.html

 

Although the Bestvox doesn't come with a BBC certificate, I think the sound definitely meets the BBC specifications.

 

All the highlights of the LS5/9 sound are there in terms of the midrange clarity, imaging and a wonderfully detailed sound.

 

It certainly plays as loud as the Rogers.

 

The Bestvox is slightly ahead in terms of top and bottom end extension due to improvements that they made to both drivers.

 

If I had to stick my neck out, I would say that in a shootout between the Graham Audio, Rogers UK, the Bestvox would not embarrass itself with this new implementation.

 

Certainly, if you factor in the value for money aspect of the Bestvox, it would come out on top.

 

I think the maker of the Bestvox LS5/9 Mr Ping Lee from Guangzhou China did a great job in this version.

 

Maybe he will make the LS5/8 if we ask nicely.

 

[Ruf Dug]

Hi everyone, I own 3 pairs of ex-BBC LS 5/8s, together with a pair of Quad 405s in the AM 8/16 variant and also a Chord AM8/21.

 

They're amazing!

I just put 4 of them into a venue for a dance party, paired with some subs. Was a good vibe all nite...

[Soundwise]

Cool, I bet the dance party never sounded better with such classic vintage gear

You just need a Garrard 401 and Ortofon SPU for the DJ 

[BLAH BLAH]

Hi @Soundwise had listen on your link...

 

Sounded very nice to my ears...congrats!