Rogers LS3/5A value

your Greta joke was fantastic @deep_333 I am honored.

But.... she is too old for me now, maybe 10 years ago (said Mr. Tru...)

@jimmyblues1959 

the LS3/5A images more like a quality electrostatic speaker (think QUAD ESL)

I owned both (the electrostatics were the ESL-63) many years ago.  I bought the LS3/5A because I was commuting each week to Tasmania and I needed something portable.  But really, they are a bit of a joke, designed by the BBC scientists as a lightweight speaker that could be easily moved around, for example for outside broadcasts.  The scientists did a good job of controlling the lightweight cabinet walls with internal bracing, but full-range, they are certainly not!

Hello Parkergetdean,  unfortunately I’m replying to this after the auction has completed. I didn’t read all the responses but I went through a few and actually ran into one person, deep_333 that said these speakers are terrible. Goes to show that there is so much nonsense on the web and people talk with out knowing what they’re talking about. I’ve been listening to the LS3/5a speakers for around 30 yrs. I’ve owned about 8 different versions, most the 15 ohm but I had the 11ohm as well. I’m very knowledgeable about this speakers as it is one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard but it really depends on if you get the correct version. So when I say version, if we look at the company Rogers, they made about 50,000 pairs of this speaker but in my opinion only less than 7,000 or maybe 8,000 out of their 50,000 speakers are the best ones to own. When I say best, I’m referring to most revealing and open sounding. I know this because I know a lot of this speaker, its designers and the many versions that exist. I hope you won the bid on this speakers because the going rate for this one is around $2,000 and up. But the most important thing is that this version is the best one to get. It will sound clearer and more life-like that many other versions of Rogers.  I don’t know if you’re truly understanding me but it’s more complicated and I prefer to not get into the detailed about why this is one of the best versions. I own 2 pairs of LS3/5a, my son owns a pair, my daughter owns a pair and my friend own a pair. This all started with my love of this speaker. I’ve put the best Tube amplifiers on them costing over $10,000 and have always impressed my friends with the sound. When setup correctly, the LS3/5a has a very open, detailed, magnificent presentation. If you got to win the auction, you did very good. Here is my advice about setting them up. 100% tube amplifier. Do not use Solid State as it can damage the speakers and will not sound as good as with tubes, especially EL34 tubes.  The amp needs to be a minimum of 35 watts but call go up as high as you want. I play a times my 200 watts VTL’s amps on mine. No problem as long as you understand it’s not a speaker to play extremely loud. Use 2 subwoofers. Many people online say not to use subs but after owning my speaker for so long, I’ve incorporated subs and it sounds great. Acoustically treat the room, use high end components in the front end and get the proper stands and you will enjoy a fantastic sound. I own 3-4 midsized tube amps but I’m presently rotating between 3 large amps on the Rogers with great results. Cary 805, custom VTL 225, and Conrad Johnson Premier Four. Aside from the Rogers LS3/5a speaker, I have large Martin Logan speakers setup as well. Good luck 

thank you @lowtubes ! I lost the bids but I will keep my eye out for them. Sounds like they are wonderful speakers!

I owned both (the electrostatics were the ESL-63) many years ago.  I bought the LS3/5A because I was commuting each week to Tasmania and I needed something portable.  But really, they are a bit of a joke, designed by the BBC scientists as a lightweight speaker that could be easily moved around, for example for outside broadcasts.  The scientists did a good job of controlling the lightweight cabinet walls with internal bracing, but full-range, they are certainly not!

They are full range enough if you use them how they are suppossed to be used - near-field. The response goes down to 100Hz, which is fairly good for a box of that size in the 1970s. Current versions will go down to 75Hz.

There is also no internal bracing, only some bitumen damping pads on the panels, and the cabinet is also not particulary light weight, using 12mm thick baltic birch ply. The original prototypes were a more fragile 9mm thick ply but they were probably switched in order to be more rigged and suitable for engineers moving them around without a lot of care.

Because they act as such a point source and image very well they do give the Quad Electrostatics a run for their money, and with some bas augmentation they can be fantastic.