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HUGE NEWS FROM STIRLING BROADCAST, NEW LS3/6's!!!

68.2.225.56
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 16:33:23
mbnx01
Audiophile

Posts: 7956
Location: Eagle, Idaho
Joined: October 22, 2004



Introducing the new Stirling Broadcast BBC LS3/6 Reference Loudspeaker.

This new loudspeaker is a 3-way loudspeaker designed for Stirling Broadcast by Derek Hughes to be as close to the original BBC LS3/6 specification as was possible with modern components, and built under licence from the BBC. The BBC LS3/6 license was only obtained after submission to the BBC for rigorous examination to ensure adherence to the original specification.
The BBC LS3/6 Loudspeaker was originally designed by the BBC as the existing designs available, predominantly the Spendor BC-1, did not have the power handling required for use in the broadcast industry with the advent of "new-fangled" popular music. However, although the BC-1 was rejected, the requirement was for a speaker of the same 2 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot dimensions. Once the design was finalised Rogers became one fo the first companies to produce this complicated design.
The Stirling Broadcast LS3/6 takes advantage of the greater consistency and linearity of modern drive units compared to when the LS3/6 was originally designed. A very high quality crossover is used to mesh custom made drive units, including a super-tweeter, into thin-wall, birch plywood (9mm ply) cabinets with double thickness rubber damping pads and screw-on, removable front and rear panels, as per the BBC "lossy" cabinet design ideal, as also seen in the Stirling version of the LS3/5a.
This new version offers greater power-handling than the original versions from the 1970 and 1980s, and offers the smooth frequency response, very low colouration and good dispersion commensurate to addearing to the specifications of a Grade 1 BBC monitor.
The new speaker ideally requires 400mm high stands and Stirling Broadcast have partnered with Something Solid and Appollo to ensure the correct stands are available. Interested customers should contact Stirling Broadcast, Something Solid, or Appollo for further details.
Stirling Broadcast BBC LS3/6 Description:
The LS3/6 is a 3 way reflex full range, freestanding assembly, designed to meet the needs of high quality studio monitoring at moderate sound levels. The speaker contains 3 drive units, custom built specifically for this loudspeaker and mounted in a 45litre reflex loaded cabinet, together with a crossover/equaliser unit to match the units and to give the overall level frequency response needed for critical listening.
The loudspeaker system has an IEC268 power handling of 90watts continuous, 150watts short term and a frequency response of 45Hz - 17kHz +/-3dB, with crossover points of 3kHz and 13kHz. It possesses a sensitivity of 87dB for 1watt at 1metre, and a maximum output of 107dB.
The loudspeaker utilises a 22cm LF drive unit SB-4432, 27mm HF unit SB-4434 and 19mm SHF unit SB-4436, and the nominal impedance is 8ohms. The connections are by bi-wired screw terminals accepting both 4mm plugs and bare wires up to 4mm cross sectional area.
The cabinet is 30cm wide, 30cm deep and 63cm high and of a thin wall damped construction with internal standing wave damping, finished in pair matched wood veneer with a matt lacquer finish. The weight is 18.5kg.

Power Handling: 90w continuous,150w short term, IEC268
Max Sound Level: 107dB, pair @2m
Input Impedance: 8ohm nominal
Input connections: Bi-wire, 4mm terminals
Frequency Response: 45Hz to 17kHz +/-3dB(On HF axis @1m)
Sensitivity: 87dB/1watt/1m
Cabinet Dimensions: 30cm (12") wide x 30cm (12") deep x 63cm (24") high
LF Drive Unit: SB-4432
HF Drive Unit: SB-4434
SHF Drive Unit: SB-4436
Crossover frequencies: 3kHz, 13kHz
Weight: 18.5kg

Stirling Broadcast BBC LS3/6 Reference Loudspeaker Export Price List, 1st December 2011.
All prices are per matched pair of loudspeakers, boxed in export packaging
Cherry GBP 2,298.00
Walnut GBP 2,298.00
Zebrano "Limited Edition Gold Label" GBP 2,498.00
Ebony Tiger Stripe "Limited Edition Gold Label" GBP 2,498.00
Rosewood "Limited Edition Gold Label" GBP 2,498.00
'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

 

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RE: HUGE NEWS, posted on December 6, 2011 at 05:58:11
layman
Audiophile

Posts: 559
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: August 8, 2007

I don't think this news is as huge as it should be. Thanks for bringing it up.

The speakers in question have been out of production for at least 25 years and never developed the cult of their smaller LS 3/5 relatives. Memory fades with time, but if these are anything like the originals, they should be cause for celebration.

I am using two speaker models based on the Rogers LS 3/6, the Rogers Studio 1 and Studio 7, and I absolutely love them. They sound balanced, neutral, involving, realistic and musical in a way that no modern designs currently match.

If the Sterling LS 3/6 brings back this exceptional level of musicality and neutrality, then the audiophile world truley has reason to celebrate.

 

RE: HUGE NEWS, posted on December 6, 2011 at 07:46:25
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8386
Joined: June 3, 2006
 Is the new Stirling Acoustic Suspension design?

Bill

 

RE: HUGE NEWS, posted on December 6, 2011 at 08:11:32
layman
Audiophile

Posts: 559
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: August 8, 2007
 Quoting from MBNX01:

"The LS3/6 is a 3 way reflex full range, freestanding assembly, designed to meet the needs of high quality studio monitoring at moderate sound levels. The speaker contains 3 drive units, custom built specifically for this loudspeaker and mounted in a 45litre reflex loaded cabinet..."

 

RE: HUGE NEWS, posted on December 6, 2011 at 17:53:23
mls-stl
 >> Is the new Stirling Acoustic Suspension design?

Besides mbnx01's description showing it is a bass reflex, they wouldn't have been able to legally call it a LS3/6 if it was an acoustic suspension model.

The LS designations are of BBC origin and detail a very precise specification. You can only use the designation if the product matches the requirements.

 

RE: HUGE NEWS, posted on December 6, 2011 at 18:38:45
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8386
Joined: June 3, 2006
 Perhaps the Ported design made a big difference with the AS design LS3/5A. A different character to the sound, perhaps no little bump to the lower mid. Of course much bigger and 3 way. No comparison.

Cheers
Bill

 

Everything you always wanted to know...!, posted on December 6, 2011 at 19:39:17
layman
Audiophile

Posts: 559
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: August 8, 2007
 I found this profoundly fascinating account of the history of Rogers Loudspeakers and their role in the development and the manufacture of the BBC LS 3/5a and the BBC LS 3/6 written by Brian Pook, Director of Rogers Loudspeakers from 1975 - 1982. It's a must read.

 

RE: HUGE NEWS FROM STIRLING BROADCAST, NEW LS3/6's!!!, posted on December 6, 2011 at 20:48:13
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4310
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 I remember the LS3/6. It had a warm hue to the mids that was the most beautiful sound I recall hearing. And I think the bass was tighter than the Spendor BC1. But it only handles 25 watts. The voice coil former was paper and easily burned by over heating which is probably why Rogers changed the design to non BBC format in a year.

By the way not that the speaker has an LS3, not LS5 designation. That means it is a 1st level monitor superior to LS5 designated designs,indication of a 2nd level monitor.

 

RE: HUGE NEWS FROM STIRLING BROADCAST, NEW LS3/6's!!!, posted on December 8, 2011 at 08:02:09
Double D
Audiophile

Posts: 31
Joined: May 19, 2001
 I'm gonna be excited to hear these ! A local dealer is the CDN distributor for the Stirlings, they have posted a pic of them minus the grille (link below).
If they are in fact a natural evolution of the old Rogers Studio 1, it will be a real beauty !

 

RE: HUGE NEWS, posted on December 8, 2011 at 08:09:42
Double D
Audiophile

Posts: 31
Joined: May 19, 2001
 LOVELY ! that looks like a MINT sample of Rogers Studio 1's.. what was my absolute favourite speaker from back in the day. I would probably have them still, but disaster struck and a power outtage sent a DC pulse from my Preamp at the time, and fried one channel of my amp, plus one of the woofers on my Studio 1. Even after rebuilding it, it was never the same. I took my losses, and moved on.
Fast forward 25+ years, I'm returning to a sound that I never should have left.
Currently having a fine romance with Harbeth Monitor30, but will be really curious to hear the new incarnation LS3/6 from Stirling.

 

Monitor 30, posted on December 8, 2011 at 09:14:07
layman
Audiophile

Posts: 559
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: August 8, 2007
 Interesting that you currently use the Harbeth Monitor 30. That model is based on the BBC LS 5/9, another of the "classic" BBC studio monitors.

 

RE: HUGE NEWS FROM STIRLING BROADCAST, NEW LS3/6's!!!, posted on December 8, 2011 at 09:25:31
layman
Audiophile

Posts: 559
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: August 8, 2007
 In the account of Rogers managing director, the Studio 1 was designed as a replacement for the LS 3/6 and broke from the BBC-spec in some important ways related to the power handling of the main drive unit and the sourcing of the tweeter(s).

It sounds like the new Sterling model is a full-spec BBC LS 3/6.

 

by all means, let us know what you think when you hear them, posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:27:54
mbnx01
Audiophile

Posts: 7956
Location: Eagle, Idaho
Joined: October 22, 2004
 I think pretty much it's going to be 'buy them to hear them' time for most people.

I hope there are some reviews soon, but I'm not optimistic about that.









'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

 

RE: Monitor 30, posted on December 8, 2011 at 12:25:52
Double D
Audiophile

Posts: 31
Joined: May 19, 2001
 Yup... ultimately I think there is something fundamentally "correct" about alot of what the BBC inspired models do, although many will argue that the extension/impact in the bass is not "modern" by any stretch, the naturalness (particularly with voice) is very refreshing, and often uncanny.
Any speaker is largely a set of compromises to reality, it just seems that this is in fact a set of compromises that ultimately is listenable for a VERY long time across a large base of material.

 

RE: by all means, let us know what you think when you hear them, posted on December 8, 2011 at 12:29:17
Double D
Audiophile

Posts: 31
Joined: May 19, 2001
 I'll try to post something after I get a chance to listen ... not sure of timing that they'll be bringing them in, but definitely on the "must listen" high profile list !

 

RE: Monitor 30, posted on December 8, 2011 at 12:53:07
layman
Audiophile

Posts: 559
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: August 8, 2007
 I don't think the "naturalness" of BBC designs is at all accidental.

The precise specs for creating this sound seem to have been arrived at only after extensive comparitive listening and scientific testing conducted over many decades, with the input of some of the most talented acoustic engineers in the business.

Thumping bass was never on the BBC agenda, but fidelity to human speach clearly was/is.

 

Happy to hear about this, posted on December 8, 2011 at 20:35:46
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 Never heard one, unfortunately. But the combination of designers/constructors who put this loudspeaker (design, parts selection and build) together suggests it will be better sounding than the original, but true to the BBC tradition. I'll have to hear it the next time I pass through the UK.

I think one interesting test will be how it compares to the the Harbeth Super HL5. If it is at least as good as the HL5, that will be saying something! The Stirling is more slightly more sensitive and has a higher average impedance. I will ask Doug if he has the electrical load and phase diagrams.

I'm really looking forward to hearing it. Thanks for the heads up.

 

RE: by all means, let us know what you think when you hear them, posted on December 12, 2011 at 06:13:16
michaelhigh
Audiophile

Posts: 839
Location: midwest
Joined: August 18, 2010
 I'm a bass hog, but everything else about this speaker is yelling at me to get my feet wet and have a listen. This is going to hit a bunch of those end-of-year lists and lots of people with discretionary income will pop for these sight-unseen (based on reviews alone). I'm anxious to witness firsthand the mad rush to get in on these.

 

Bass, posted on December 12, 2011 at 09:02:06
layman
Audiophile

Posts: 559
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: August 8, 2007
 This model does bass, but not thumping, one-note bass...the kind that's become popular since the LS 3/6 originally ceased production 25 years ago.

 

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