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

@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.

Go to ASR if you want to visit the dumbest audio forum on the planet, filled from end to end with credulous morons begging to be convinced that the latest $100 piece of plastic crap from China that sounds like a dental drill is better than more expensive, well-engineered products because of one or two spurious "measurements".