Rogers LS5/9 Classic SE

Back in 1970 when the BBC broadcast its first episode of the Nine O’Clock News, Jon Pertwee made his debut look because the third Doctor in Doctor Who and Blue Peter aired for the primary time in color, way more thrilling issues had been happening behind the scenes. Not content material with bettering the photographs that we watched by growing the decision to 405 traces, strikes had been afoot within the sound division too. Forming a relationship with hi-fi specialist Rogers, the Beeb began work on a sequence of studio displays that may go on to grace techniques throughout the nation. The vary started with Rogers first BBC design, the LS3/6 after which 4 years later the LS3/5A arrived. The smallest (Grade Two) in a household that may develop to incorporate audio system of various sizes for each studio, exterior broadcasts and monitoring, it went on to change into a legend. And then in 1983 manufacturing of the LS5/9 started. A ‘Grade One’ mannequin designed to slot in areas the place its predecessor (the LS5/8) was too giant, it used the identical tweeter. It wasn’t till the late-Nineties that Rogers determined to cease producing house fashions in collaboration with the BBC.

Jump ahead 20 years and the corporate, beneath the steerage of former technical director Andy Whittle, has determined it’s time for the Auntie-inspired cupboards to return and now it’s doable to recreate the sound of a golden period with out having to cope with a patched up element from Ebay that has seen higher days.

Buying second hand, a mint model of the unique cupboard in supreme working order will value you within the area of £2,000 and you may count on to pay something as much as half that for a lower than pristine one. So, taking inflation into consideration, the £4,900 pricetag for the brand new LS5/9 appears greater than truthful. Available in walnut, olive and Amazaque ( a beautiful African hardwood) finishes, you possibly can plump for rosewood for an additional £50. The deluxe SE model will set you again £5,500 for the essential finishes or £5,600 for rosewood or RAL colors. Additionally, bonuses embrace gold badges and a Panzerholz (a resin/hardwood composite) entrance baffle. Bespoke stands add an additional £1,600.

Fancy finishes apart, Rogers is adhering strictly to the unique BBC design transient to maintain the SE model as shut as doable to the unique transient. Hence the cupboard remains to be constructed from 9mm thin-wall birch ply with damping sheets whereas the 34mm Audax HD34 tweeter remains to be produced in France (earlier than being modified by Rogers again within the UK). The crossover is assembled within the UK and the 210mm bass driver has been reverse engineered and fitted with the right PVC encompass as per the BBC spec. The excessive frequency adjustment tag strip stays seen on the baffle as per the unique studio model, though it’s not person adjustable. Finally, high-power, iron-dust-cored inductors with high-quality capacitors are additionally employed.

Sound high quality
We choose to place the LS5/9 Classic SE by its paces on Rogers devoted stands solely to find that no toe-in is required. Otherwise it’s essential to not place them too far aside because it creates a noticeable ‘gap within the center’ impact. While the speaker is modestly delicate and never an particularly robust load, we discover that it’s in its ingredient when fed loads of energy and pushed exhausting. The PVC surrounds additionally must do some work earlier than they absolutely heat up – about half an hour works a deal with.

As that is an inherently skilled loudspeaker design, it appears solely becoming to feed it high-quality materials. Consequently, right now’s check music programme consists predominantly of open-reel tape, CD and vinyl. Anyone that’s ever skilled the assorted iterations of BBC designs and collaborations will level to the pure midband and higher bass mixed with fantastically reasonable vocals. So it comes as one thing of a shock when the cavernous bass is the very first thing to seize our consideration.

Sound Tour: Spain on open-reel from Verve is a becoming starter, thanks in no small half to its peculiar mixture of an unnamed orchestra with sounds of passing site visitors. The recording instantly conjures up a wonderful sensation of area with the automotive sounds so convincing that originally we thought there was a car pulling up exterior the check room. In reality, a automotive fanatic who occurs to poke their head into the room swears blind they will select the distinctive purring of an Alfa Romeo. With the extra conventional sounds of trumpet, piano, castanets and the mass voices of a choir, the LS5/9 Classic SE serves up a clean bass that’s reasonable, non-aggressive and substantial. Meanwhile, the voices are clear, sibilance-free and completely convincing. Arguably extra spectacular nonetheless is the best way that the cupboard passes off the phantasm of fully disappearing in a means that David Blaine can be pleased with. While that is the type of tricksiness one may count on of the smaller LS3/5A, the truth that the LS5/9 Classic SE is a lot extra substantial and a ported two-way field makes this magic act worthy of a season in Las Vegas in the best way that it’s so apparently effortlessly in a position to ape the traits of panel loudspeakers and dipoles.

Sticking with tape, Jackie Gleason’s Today’s Romantic Hits/For Lovers Only Vol 1 & 2 manages to glitter on the prime finish, with even essentially the most delicate higher frequency data experiencing a glittery, shimmering effervescence with out turning into in any means edgy or sibilant – we’re speaking Galaxy-level silkiness right here. Switching to compact disc and the Danish National Chamber Orchestra’s distinctive tackle Lola from the fiftieth Anniversary CD boxset of Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneyground Part One, the blockbuster observe is given the type of panoramic soundstage it so richly deserves. There’s a beautiful ‘unplugged’ really feel to proceedings, whereas the sheer majesty of the choral group behind Ray Davis is large. The Kinks frontman takes centre stage –on this occasion apparently standing within the room – whereas the choir lets rip behind him. When it involves its unerring dealing with of three-dimensionality, the distinction between this and the lauded LS3/5A are infinitesimally small. The applause that greets the efficiency from the viewers, in the meantime, is completely convincing.

Staying with reference to the LS3/5A it’s an fascinating train to see how the 2 evaluate. Costing twice as a lot, the bigger LS5/9 Classic SE goes a lot louder and spits out far deeper bass with relative ease – one thing we’d count on as a given contemplating its bigger cupboard. However, the Classic SE has barely lower than pin-point imaging – one thing that solely anally retentive studio engineers and overly fussy reviewers are more likely to be too fussed about, admittedly. More of a shock, maybe, is the truth that the LS3/5A is ready to ship better picture top – not essentially a deal breaker you perceive, however we’d really feel quite remiss to neglect to say this.

Performances comparable to this one clearly spotlight the very completely different necessities of the studio and residential environments, with the LS5/9 Classic SE underlining its flexibility and obvious ease to fulfil the very completely different necessities of each camps. Though it will possibly’t fairly lay declare to being the Holy Grail of a scaled-up LS3/5A, it comes fairly rattling shut…

Conclusion
Those that love the traditional BBC sound however are searching for one thing somewhat bigger – however not too giant – might be blissful to search out that for essentially the most half the LS5/9 Classic SE is a convincing success. With its emphasis on midband authenticity and vocal verisimilitude, mixed with an unerring capability to enhance on the LS3/5A’s low-frequency powers with a deeper and extra degree bass, this can be a gorgeous return from a legendary blast from the previous. Beg, borrow or steal – the selection is yours– however be sure to add it to your audition shortlist. HFC

DETAILS
Product: Rogers LS5/9 Classic SE
Type: Standmount loudspeaker

FEATURES
● 34mm tweeter with part correction
● 210mm polypropylene cone mid/bass driver
● Quoted sensitivity: 87dB 1W/1m (8ohm)

Read the total overview in Issue 477

HI-FI News

by way of Hi-Fi Choice https://ift.tt/UXZQOv9

March 18, 2024 at 11:45AM