The LS5/5 is a large three way monitor designed in 1967.
A 12 inch drive unit handles the low frequencies up to 400Hz. At this point, an 8 inch midrange takes over before handing over to the 1 inch soft dome tweeter at 3.5kHz. Overall, the frequency response is flat to within ±2dB from 40Hz to 20kHz.
Straight away you'll notice that the bass and midrange drivers are mounted behind slots on the front panel. This feature is highly unusual today, but it works to control the off-axis response of the drive units which results in a smoother response through the crossover regions in typical listening environments.
Naturally, this is a BBC-style "thinwall" cabinet, where the relatively thin panels are mass-loaded to ensure that resonances are moved away from the critical mid-range region. Rockwool provides air damping. Hand-matched veneers are applied and finished to a very high standard. The grille is carefully designed to minimise diffraction effects and is held in place by concealed rare-earth magnets.
Specifications | |
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System | 3 Way, reflex loading |
Enclosure | Thin wall damped construction |
Finish | Real wood veneer |
Dimensions (w/h/d) | 36cm by 65cm by 48cm |
Weight | 35.5kg |
Frequency response | 40Hz to 20kHz, ±2dB |
Nominal impedance | 8Ω |
Sensitivity | 88dB SPL (2.83V, 1m) |
Maximum output | Over 104dB for a pair at 2m |
Bass | 300mm long throw |
Midrange | 200mm |
Tweeter | 25mm soft dome tweeter |
Recommended amplifier power | 50 to 250 watts unclipped programme |