Harbeth P3ESR versus LS3/5a by Rogers/Falcon/Sterling/etc


The P3ESR has been described as the best evolution of the 3/5 (or some similar wordings), and some of the Falcons (Gold Badge or ?) have been described as the best version of the LS3/5a.  
 

so which is “better”. Or perhaps better stated, which do you prefer? And why?  
 

If it influences your comments, I would be driving them with AtmaSphere class D monos with a Conrad Johnson ET7 tube preamp

meiatflask

I have a pair of Falcon Q7 Gold Badge that I think sound really good.  I rotate them in for something different from my Fritz Rev7SEs.  The Q7 is the LS3/5a in a slightly larger cabinet with a slightly deeper response. The Q7 has very similar x characteristics to the LS3/5a  but significantly cheaper as a build kit or prebuilt from Falcon.  They are 15ohms I believe.  

@meiatflask : I think Harbeth have a much better marketing strategy overall, regardless of the region. They have a dedicated forum called HUG (!) and Alan Shaw seems to be a skilled salesman. But they are not necessary the better speakers IMO, just the most popular alternative.

I had the Harbeth P3ESR a few years ago. I now have a pair of the current version of the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A. I haven't heard the Falcons but my Graham LS3/5As are much better than the Harbeths.

Like all Harbeths, the P3ESR have a slight plumminess to the sound; they tend to impose their own character on the music, regardless of amplifier. 

The Graham LS3/5A are much more neutral, and much better at reproducing the distinct tonality of instruments accurately, while remaining dynamic, musical and engaging. 

I am new to the P3esr having just bought a used pair cheaply ($1k) - at that price I just had to find out for myself how they sound. I was surprised at just how small they are in person. Given that I am really pleased at their sound, very impactful, clear and natural sounding. Vocal and acoustic jazz really shine with that well-documented midrange quality. 

Like others I found they responded even better with more power, my Wyred4sound mINT class D (ICE) amp drives them perfectly and I liked that pairing better in my setup than my sugden A21se signature. My advice - snag a used pair and try them out, it’s no hassle to sell them on should they disappoint.

@jasonbourne71 , Huh? What am i missing here? You ask everyone to go to ASR and look at the measurements. And then, you paid $960 for this crappy speaker and you’re calling it a win somehow?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/rogers-ls3-5a-bbc-speaker-review.49746/

Go to Audio Science Review (ASR) and read the results of the testing of the LS3/5a.

I have a pair of Rogers LS3/5a’s (39269 A&B). Bought 7 years ago from an eBay seller in Lithuania for $960 including shipping. At that price a good buy! Yes, they sound wonderful despite having a 6db bump at 120hz and poor off-axis response.