Rogers LS3/5a audition, inner workings
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- I made this video to showcase my Rogers LS3/5A speakers as well as to get some help authenticating them. They are for sale in Northern California.
Music is played through a Fisher X-202-B amplifier from a laptop with a Sound Devices USBPre2 as the audio interface.
As stated in the video, the audio was recorded using a Zoom H5 recorder but it was having some sync issues with the video camera so there are some pops and clicks in the audio.
these speakers are super good at making the human voice heard. very smart.
amazing speakers.Miss them .I had them once
Me too😢
@@polkiju7 me too
Remarkable what these little bookshelf speakers can do really.
I can confirm S/Ns were hand written in ink, label probably cleaned or faded. T27s and B110s were supplied to Rogers in boxed pairs. In my opinion, if you still have them, maybe worth swapping out the other T27 as well to see if a better match. I used to build and test these for Rogers back in the late 1980s, these are earlier looking at the crossover components.
Quad ESL-57 and BBC LS3/5s are my favorite speakers. Not because they are perfect: ESL-57 dynamic range is limited and they, in a similar way to LS3/5a, lose a lot of important low-frequency information. Regardless, their organic mid-range carries enough natural sound to trigger convincing emotional reaction. They both are keepers for-life.
@@Kenan_Guney I would love to know the single answer to your goal, but several factors will affect your optimal and still very compromising choice. Among them, size of your listening area and its sound-reflecting character (for example, quite many expensive speakers do not perform well on a low sound level; I prefer speakers that sound well on low level, like during listening at night), the type of music you listen to (vocals and accoustic instruments seem to provide best reference sound and grand piano is one of the most difficult to reproduce), and the rest of your audio path (sound source, DAC, preamp, power amp, and even cabling; thats why music producers prefer powered speakers and room corrections because they are required for accuracy). In short, there is no way to replace HD600 with a speaker in your price range and end up with a result of the same immersive listening, especially in the midrange. My advice would be to start your own discovery path which focuses on listening to educate yourself on what compromises you are willing to tolerate and which you must mitigate. Starting with this video may illustrate that the speaker price is really never a linear factor: speaker that costs 5x more does not sound 5x better: th-cam.com/video/-q-kzDyvWac/w-d-xo.html
Absolut! LS 3/5a & Quad ESL 57 my favorites too. I can enjoy the music with these Speakers. Greetings from Germany.
I have a pair, clones, . These were bought new in 1980 by me for my folks. The x over was fixed by a real expert on Kef’s about 10 years ago. Run a 50 watt Rotel amp through them use a Rega Apollo & Bluesound Vault as sources. They have a gorgeous warm sound that compares surprisingly well to my Martin Logan ESL’s & PrimaLuna EVO 200’s. They are built out of genuine wood, exceptionally well made. Been offered over 2 grand for them , I said no way.
Awesome video and sound!!!
I've been waiting to hear a vid on these in order to compare to my Kef 103.2's. It's been said the Kefs are Roger 3/5's on steroids, but, I think id have to own a pair in order to run on the same equipment. The other monitors i own are JBl 4312, B&W 805 horizontal, and Yamaha NS-1200, which seem more like a floor stander at over 80 lbs. I like the sound of these, thanks for the vid.
I have Kef 105.2 which have marvelous voice. I wonder how similar i is o the LS3/5.
Mine have been modified with better bass cabinet and Xover which is a clear improvement.
I'm refurbishing a b110 out of a pair of these. Someone overheated the coil and the paper former bubbled, there was also a flat spot on the coil.
A bit of sanding, scraping and rolling later, and the woofer works ok. Slightly fluffy sounding during tones due to what happens to paper when you sand it, but probably not noticeable during music.
In any case it's good to resurrect something that would normally be considered toast
Nice :) i have also a pair, im so happy with them. My amp is Accuphase E-650
Is 30w really enough?
@@erenorchan6985 yes, i'm using old marantz 25w work fine.
But now i'm ready to upgrade to 125w amplifier.
Nice Kunde, how is it sound together with Accuphase bro?
I was thinking of getting accuphase amp myself.
@@protekprotek4207 hi Protek it sounds really nice, 30w is only on paper, E-650 is more powerful than ls3/5a can handle it, here is my video, but sorry for quality, I will make new one... th-cam.com/video/QxdoxZXH6EY/w-d-xo.html Bass is very nice :) and also nice with other Genre like this one: th-cam.com/video/VXuR3kY26VA/w-d-xo.html without subwoofer, but now i have B&W ASW 608, they matched perfect together, but the most of the time, i run them without Subwoofer, I also tried with big Subwoofer like ASW 610 or SVS SB2000, but the little one 608 is the best for me.
@@erenorchan6985 30w is only on paper, E-650 is more powerful than ls3/5a can handle it
The b110 does not appear to be the original sp 1003 used in 15 ohms version but it may be the later sp 1228 . There are many labeled 15 ohms version that are not. If any label is available on the speaker the check is easy as the sp 1228 has 6 ohms not 8 ohms.
The cabinet and crossovers appear to be genuine, but I'm fairly sure that the bass driver we are shown is not an original, as the "constructor" series of B110 were not used in LS35/a's. This does mean that the drivers are not absolutely accurately matched for output. This is done by choosing the appropriate numbered tap to connect the tweeter, which chooses the level of treble attenuation which is correct. Fortunately for everybody, the differences you will get are absolutely minute. I had a pair of these, and sold them. Before doing so I built an accurate pair of replicas for my own use. Listeners could not hear a difference.
What did you do for crossovers?
@@charlamaignebutt586 Falcon Acoustics in UK sell replica crossover kits, expensive and cheaper options.
Mine have B110’s in it , what do you mean constructors Series.
Good peep.
Agreed... The 'Constructor' series were intended as kits for DIY'ers. Back in the day there were several DIY detailed plans and xover diagrams using KEF drivers, some actually duplicated popular KEF retail models. Some which were in the Brit audio magazine, 'Wireless World'.
The drivers in the LS3/5A's were a factory matched set, with sequential serial numbers held to a much, much tighter tolerance than the production and Constructor series especially for the LS3/5a's. I was once told by the owner of a very highly regarded high end audio shop that the drivers for the production retail speakers and Constructor series were matched within 10%, the ones intended LS35A's were within 1-2%.
These were VERY pricy speakers at the time. The $430-470 price tag in 1977-78 would be nearly $2,000 dollars in 2021!!! Crazy price for book shelf speakers!!!
One thing that sticks out is the certification stickers are MISSING. Usually found on the lower left corner. The official LS3/5A's were individually tested, octave by octave required to match very critical BBC freq, and voicing characteristics. I've read this was so critical that 3 out of 10 speakers tested failed. I'd assume the ones that failed might have been sold at a lower cost than the ones that passed??
Perhaps (??) that's what this set is?? Either way, I'm sure they sound wonderful, the LS3/5A's were such a good design, I'm sure only the very best 'Golden' ears would detect a difference.
I built two sets of speakers with the KEF constructor series. At the time there was only ONE authorized US vendor selling the Constructor Series...Paris Audio, downtown Los Angeles.
One a conventional sealed box design, the other a huge transmission line detailed in the Wireless World magazine. Powered by SS for the woofer, much modded Dynaco Stereo 70 tube for the mid/tweet. Loved their sound till a short time roommate blew up one of the T27 drivers.by boosting the equalizer used pushed the top 3 freq. bands ALL the way partying while I was away one weekend. By then the T27 was no longer available, used similar SEAS drivers as replacements.
Nice video is that a fisher tuner on the floor fine sound on those speakers sweet sound ing
I have question. Since the t is only 82 dB sensitivity will it work with tube Amp. Well? Thanks
They look 100% genuine.
I was a Rogers dealer in London and the paper labels were written in ink and they do fade out with age.
Just the contrary. They do not look 100% genuine.
That’s cool that they used tropical fish caps. Original wah wah pedals by VOX used those too.
You should try taking a picture in IR to see if the ink faded.
I hear no air or sparkle from the top end but i guess it will sound better using headphones instead of pc speakers
15 ohms? What amp to drive them?
What aplifier do you suggest ? I am using an Exposure XX Line and an AN Dac One for a little dry , but esoteric sound .
Well, I don't know what is best for these speakers but I really enjoy vintage tube amps, in general. The good part about lower power is I don't risk damaging the Rogers but, gotta admit, it seems like they might like a little extra power than what I have.
hi.. may I know what amp. youre using
How durable are the B110 neoprene surrounds? I have a pair of Rogers LS3/5A (silver badge) in storage. Although they are in mint shapre, I was wondering if it might be a good idea to take them out from time to time to "exercise" them, or better to just store them in a good environment.
Never heard of B110 with surround problems.
are these still available?
You have a great voice
Thank you :)
hi John, i have a pair of roger speakers that my dad bought a long time ago, however the amplifier he is using isnt working that well any more (both are over 30 years old) im wondering if you know of any budget options (or any other additional components) that would work well with this speakers, ill be playing music using spotify for my dad. Thanks in advance.
So far works wonderful with my 30yrs+ old plus marantz amp.
Any good amp will do the job, doesnt have to cost 1000s
I always wanted to get a pair of these speakers
There are not that great but some people love them.
Just long time no see the zebra mylar cap!
Should have replaced both them tweeters IMHO.
I think both were replaced, that is why to he has a good one and a bad one not installed
'Constructor series' bass driver is not original, it's been replaced too.
Yes, you're correct. I got some good information from folks after making the video. Thank you!
@@jonmustang well my ls35as have same bass drivers
Nice DCM Time Windows
My absolute favorites!
I have a pair of those Time Windows I have not rotated to this day. Used to always come across the 1a's at the thrift, but the last I found were the original 1's with the matching Philips drivers. I hope to find a pair of 7's some day.
I really like it - Could you tell me something about the recording equipment ?
Sure, yes. The recording equipment I used was a Zoom H5 with the built-in XY microphone, plugged into my iPhone X. So the Zoom H5 was acting as the microphone for my iPhone. I think the recording I got in this video was pretty good but I think I might try a different setup if I ever recording vintage speakers again :)
@@jonmustang Really ths for your kind answer .
What kind of stands are those?
They were made by Sound Anchor though I can't remember the model.
Wow
Классные колонки! Несбыточная мечта... =(
Fantastic speakers, but the prices these days ....
Flac is superb, Spotify unlistenable.
Oof, I agree. When I hear a great album on Spotify, I often start looking for the uncompressed/vinyl version ASAP. "Life is too short for bad sound" as a friend of mine says
Офигеть, Советский резистор млт в кроссовере )))
I can see МЛТ resistor there
Made in USSR
I have a pair Time Windows 1a, how do you find the sound difference between the two?
I love vintage DCM products. I find the Rogers to be very good monitors in the sense that I hear many details in the recordings fairly easily and in a very pleasant way, also very impressive for the size. My DCM speakers (TimeWindow 3 and Macrophones) sound more deep and "mysterious" to me, the instruments still all audible but they are rendered less like an accurate playback monitor and more like a three-dimensional experience.
I actually went from 1978 Rogers 15 ohms to DCM TW 2s - loving the latters holographic 3-D soundstage and disappearing act as sound sources.
@@hans-henrikrasmussen6839 agreed, DCM TimeWindow speakers are fantastic at the disappearing act. It really becomes about the music instead of the equipment with them, which is what it's all about for me.
@@hans-henrikrasmussen6839 proacs have that same signature disappearing design in almost all of their speakers since the response 2’s.
They are just magic with the right amp.
Μy atc scam 11 sounds much better
you shouldn't sell them. you won't get anything better.
noiosissimo il brano!! cosi si distrugge il mito!!
They were designed to be used in outside broadcast vans to monitor voices, hence they are good ate vocals. Other than that, they are rubbish.
You are more than welcome to believe that.@veraluxmundi2032