What it is
BBC-licensed LS3/5A — Graham is one of only two current makers (Falcon Acoustics is the other; Stirling and others make non-licensed derivatives). Engineered by Derek Hughes. Distinct from Graham's own LS3/5 (non-A) which is the modern recreation of the BBC original prototype design from R&D — never adopted by the BBC. The LS3/5A is the production version with revised drivers, 12mm plywood, 11Ω impedance, and a more linear midrange / slightly brighter treble.
Voicing — Groove Audio: "more linear midrange and a slightly brighter, more detailed treble" (LS3/5A) vs LS3/5's "fuller, more spacious sound with a punchier lower midrange". Hi-fi forum consensus: LS3/5A is the "vocal reproduction" reference, LS3/5 the "fuller-bodied" alternative. Voicing camp: balanced/reference (LS3/5A) vs warm/harmonic (LS3/5).
Who it comes up against
33 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path, Twin Arms, Vocals-First
Against the Anchored brief, the Emmae Reginae (custom) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the weaker loudspeaker for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the loudspeaker position.
musical flow and momentum were superbStereophile (Dudley) 2019
7 lost · Artisan, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Silent Path, Vocals-First
Against the Characterful brief, the Neat Iota 2 keeps the slot decisively.
With the NVA S80 Stereo, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the weaker loudspeaker for that brief.
musical flow and momentum were superbStereophile (Dudley) 2019
6 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Twin Arms
Against the Intimate brief, the ProAc Tablette 10 Signature keeps the slot decisively.
With the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan), the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the stronger loudspeaker — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan) gives up low-level clarity under the Intimate weighting.
musical flow and momentum were superbStereophile (Dudley) 2019
4 lost · Anchored, Cavity-Native, Romantic, Twin Arms
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA Cube 3 keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audiolab 9000P, the pairing gives up most on bass weight.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the stronger loudspeaker — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Audiolab 9000P gives up bass weight under the Anchored weighting.
impact... from the kettledrumsStereophile (Dudley) 2019
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the weaker loudspeaker for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the loudspeaker position.
2 lost · Anchored, Characterful
Against the Anchored brief, the Neat Petite Classic keeps the slot decisively.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair), the pairing gives up most on bass weight.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the weaker loudspeaker for that brief.
impact... from the kettledrumsStereophile (Dudley) 2019
2 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Epos ES-7N keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audiolab 9000P, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the weaker loudspeaker for that brief.
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Harbeth P3ESR XD2 keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the weaker loudspeaker for that brief.
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Falcon Q7 Complete@Home keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the weaker loudspeaker for that brief.
0 lost· 1 won · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A takes the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Graham Chartwell LS3/5A is the stronger loudspeaker for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the loudspeaker position.