looking for a replacement for Rogers LS3/A

mizzuno · « **on:** 17 Aug 2006, 07:43 pm »

Hi,

I am looking to replace my fathers Rogers LS3/A's as a present for his birthday, I would rather not spend over $1500 and I am amenable to buying used. I was looking at a pair of new Quad 22L's as I can get a good deal on them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Michael

JLM · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 07:55 pm »

Can I adopt you as my son?

Guessing that this particular LS3/A's are fairly long in the tooth by now, you need to keep in mind that driver material technology has advanced significantly. Nowadays the level of detail and tightness of bass have improved markedly. There should be lots of good options out there, thanks to no small measure to the internet and the cottage industries it has sponsered.

Just from A/C vendors alone a number of good candidates come to mind. Have fun browsing.

mizzuno · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 08:09 pm »

Thanks for the compliment..lol. We recently had a fire at our house and the Rogers are a bit worse for the wear. I am looking for something close to the Rogers sound, which to be quite honest, I am not that familiar with. I know it has the classic BBC sound which I gather is one of a true monitor (ie. flat). I would like to get more bass extension as the Rogers has none, but i don't want to lose the midrange fluidity. The room they are going in has 24 foot ceilings, so the rogers are a bit smallish and usually have trouble filling it. If anyone has any further insight I would love to hear it.

thanks...

ML

Double Ugly · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 08:21 pm »

You may want to check with Bob @ SP Tech, Michael. He sent a couple pairs of Timepiece 2.1s out for audition a while back, but they were returned because of an impedance and phase angle problem. I don't know if he's fixed them yet, but I own a corrected pair and they're wonderful.

They're well over what you're budgeting ($3k), but since they're sort of used, I suspect Bob might give you a price far closer to your target than you might imagine.

If you want flat w/ in-room bass extension into the 20s, the Timepieces are just the ticket.

Good luck with your search. You're Dad is one lucky fellow.

-Jim

mizzuno · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 08:38 pm »

Double thanks for the advice, I like the SP tech speakers, and actually thought of a pair for myself, but as you allude they are a bit out of my price range. Maybe i'll make a call to Bob and inquire about the timepieces. Thanks for the advice, hopefully my father will realize how lucky he is.

Michael

WEEZ · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 08:46 pm »

One option might be the Spendor LS3/5se ( $1350-$1450, depending on the finish. ) Or the NSM 10S. (similar price).

WEEZ

mizzuno · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 09:06 pm »

Yeah i believe spendor has the rights to Rogers but to be honest i would rather get something that has better frequency response and is more dynamic.

Michael

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 09:44 pm »

this might be slightly out of left field, but I would not be surprised if something like the Omega Super 3 XRS would not be a fun alternative to the years of the LS3/5A sound.

Frihed91 · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 10:00 pm »

The closest thing you will find are the Stirling Broadcast models (who bought out Rogers stock and make a more modern, and brilliant sounding version of this classic). All the Quad L series are great values, but they are not quite as smooth as the old and new versions of the classic BBC mini monitor and have a little glare (that can be tamed by warmish cables). I have some used 12Ls that go quite a lot deeper than the LS3s

http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/

Al Garay · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 10:08 pm »

Check out Ellis Audio 1801, you cand read more about it in the Ellis Audio forum. It has excellent detail, solid bass down to 40Hz, F3 and with the right electronics will have plenty of dynamics. Although it is sold as a kit, you can have Dave build the crossover for a small fee and there are several good cabinet builders who can build a custom cabinet, curly maple etc and keep it under the price range.

You can also check out Jim Salk's site who is experienced with the Ellis 1801 and his own models using similar woofer and ribbon tweeter. Jim's cabinetry work is exquisite. Check his forum and website to see details.

Third but not least is Rick Craig's Tanzanite or RC3R. These are small 3-way. You can have completely finished speakers for your price range. Check Selah Audio's forum for details.

Any of these three will make an excellent gift.

Al

Wolfman · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 11:09 pm »

As noted previously,there's many,many good choices available. One more I would suggest is to check out Tyler Acoustics. His bread and butter are his monitors,runs monthly specials and offers 20 day returns on new speaks. Those 20 day returns are sold as "used" and come with a 2year warranty. Depending on which model,they utilize either Seas Millennium,or Scanspeak Revelator parts. Bass to 35-40 Hz,very accurate sound and pretty easy to drive(25 watt min). No connection,just a very satisfied owner of one of his larger floor standing models.

WEEZ · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Aug 2006, 11:12 pm »

Sorry Michael, I mis-read your post. I thought you were looking to replace LS3/5a's.

If you're looking for more than that type of speaker can deliver, then I would agree with Double Ugly and Al Garay.

At the $1500 price point, I would also look for a used pair of Merlin TSM's; or new NSM 15's; or new Audio Concepts Sapphire XL's; or maybe whatever Dynaudio has at that price level.

If you're serious about mini-monitors..you owe it to yourself to hear the Merlin's. Arguably, the best of the genre.

WEEZ

mizzuno · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 12:46 am »

Thanks for all the good advice, What about the PMC floorstanders, they seem to be in the tradition of the British monitor? Anyone have any experience with the FB1? I think a transmission line design might be interesting to try, maybe even a Fried monitor 7? Seems to be a lot of good used speaker values, but the ironic part about all this is that I'm buying for someone elses ears...

Michael

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 01:30 am »

You can pick up a used pair of Gallo Ref 3s for $1500 and it's pretty hard in my mind to buy a better speaker in that price range.

What will he be driving them with?

Bob Reynolds · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 04:01 am »

If a true monitor is something you'll consider, then the M&K S-150 (pro, MPS-2510)reference monitor is my suggestion. I've been very pleased with them. They replaced a pair of Spendor S8e -- the increase in soudstage was shocking.

Consumer line: http://www.mksound.com/satellite_speakers.php

Pro line: http://www.mkprofessional.com/mps2510.htm

Al Garay · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 04:23 am »

I think you should give your dad a Birthday card with the certificate to redeem for his choice of speakers.

The PMCs are popular as well as Tannoys but you are heading a different direction than the Rogers which tend to be neutral, recessed, polite, going out of their way to not be in your face. Tannoys and PMC will be more aggressive.

If you are looking at floorstanders, you've openned up new options such as Vandersteens and Raw HT3. You really need to include him in the choice.

JLM · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 10:33 am »

The Fried designs I'm familiar with have the BBC sound, the bigger ones using transmission lines. I'm a lover of TL bass, there is an entire website for them. IMO the M&Ks are highly accurate/sterile studio monitors (the exact opposite of the LS3/A). And I've not met a Dynaudio speaker I liked, but they are hard on amps (inefficient and low impedance) so I've probably never heard them properly fed. I like Louis and his Omega speakers, but a 4 inch driver isn't going to fill a big room, you'd have to move up to one of his 8 inch driver offerings (they're also more efficient).

Not sure how you'd do a speaker gift certificate. Instead pick one that has a trial period offer. The Audio Concepts Sapphire XL's fit that bill and would be an all around step up from the LS3/A's. And being direct sales only should provide great value. They (and the preceeding models) have been reviewed often and well received. And they're right here at A/C!

mizzuno · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 02:54 pm »

Al, I can't include him because technically its a surprise, although your point is well taken. JLM, there is a Fried dealer here in NYC that has some good deals on their monitor 7, i may audition a pair today. In reality the sound does not have to exactly match that of the Rogers but at minimum I would like to retain the highs and mids of the Rogers and preferably expand the lows. My father listens to lots of classical and opera with the usual smattering of Classic Rock (Stones, Beatles, etc). To be honest, i'm sure he will enjoy any speaker i choose, at the same time I know he loves the Rogers. I for one was never a big fan as my taste in music is markedly different, hence I have a pair of Reimer Teton GS's. Anyway as always the collective input of the audio circle crew has been enlightening and plays a big role in my choice, don't worry I won't take all the credit

Michael

Bob Reynolds · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 03:40 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 18 Aug 2006, 10:33 am

IMO the M&Ks are highly accurate/sterile studio monitors (the exact opposite of the LS3/A).

I've heard this sort of comment ("accurate/sterile") before and all I can say is both pairs I own are very smooth and musically involving. Compared to B&W 601, Meadowlark Kestrel and Spendor S8e, they are easily my favorite. The fact that they are acoustic suspension designs, don't use metallic drivers and are designed for seamless integration with a subwoofer makes them one of the best kept secrets in audio. Plus they're an excellent value. I'm glad I found them.

JLM · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Aug 2006, 04:46 pm »

The Fried Monitor 7 looks like a winner to me for your situation.

Bob, I'm glad you're happy with the M&K's. Don't mean to slam their sound. There is a great deal of design strength behind them and if HT were a high priority to me, I'd be there is a heartbeat. I'm glad we can all have different tastes and perspectives in audio and freely share them.