LS3/5A & Pass Labs

ls 3/5's by spendor,rogers,kef or harbeth are classics. in some ways, one of the best of all time.

Souporhero,
Will your dealer allow you to try the speakers in your own room and gears? I think this is the best way to find out.

I know a lot of people prefer PP tube amps with these speakers, generally. But you may just cut it given the tube-like sonic character of Aleph3. Report to us your findings.

Souporhero,

I own the Chartwell LS3/5a circa 1978 in Rosewood Finish. They are in original condition and still sound like voice coils of God! Before you even think of buying them you should check out the website dedicated to the LS3/5a's and you will be able to educate yourself before you part with your money. The website also has a Yahoo Group listing of which I am a member. In the group there are many LS3/5a lovers from Hong Kong and they know the speakers inside out. Some of them own more than 20 pairs of LS3/5a speakers and all connected at the same time! They are so into it that I would not be surprised if one of them came up with the history of the speaker if only the serial number is provided to them.

If you have not yet purchased them I urge you to pay a visit to the site maintained by a very nice guy, Paul Whatton (the speaker designer's son). You can also try to become the member of the Yahoo Group mailing list (membership of 1157 as of today) where you can specifically ask for guidance and suggestions from members. They are nice folks who basically are true audiphiles and would not hesitate to help a fellow member who is interested in buying the speakers.

The website address:

www.ls35a.com

Hi,
I heard the older Harbeth HL-P3s driven by one of the Pass-designed Class A amps 8-9 yrs. ago, and it was one of the most amazing reproducters of the human voice I had heard till that point. I ended up going instead w/ larger Spendors and tubes, but I would think that this would be a fantastic combo.
TLH

Thanks everyone.

I have looked at the www.ls35a.com site...good stuff.

On one hand, the site makes me think that the LS3/5A is perfect for me because I want really great soundstaging and liquid vocals.

On the other hand, it did say that the 15ohm version would work with a 25watt amp but the 11ohm version might not be the perfect match. I have a 30 watt amp. Might this be cutting it a little close?

Last concern. I must admit, I am a bit of a bass hound. The people that I have talked to on and off in HK say that getting a sub to integrate well with main speakers is almost impossible. Their view is that a sub is only to be used with home theater. My goal with a sub is to get good spacial cues with *delicate* music, and...well...to rock out when rock is present. I don't want the bass to take over, just to compliment and support.

My room is quite small, so I think that I may just be happy with the LS3/5as and the bass they produce in a small room.

I really want to get in touch with the people from Hong Kong/the Yahoo Group mailing list (membership of 1157). How exactly do I do that?

Thanks a lot.