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forgot how good the hb2 was!
forgot how good the hb2 was!
Were they Audax drivers? Can't remember. I wish someone would make a modern equivalent of them, they were a remarkable speaker and a really nice size and shape too.
I'd largely go along with Kt77. If you're happy with the LS3/5A's good points, then you will almost certainly find moving to a bigger Spendor will involve compromises in the those areas in order to gain more bass and dynamic range.
The LS3/5A benefits greatly from valve amplification, and I found that it really prospers when driven by a good push-pull EL34 amp. I had the opportunity to use one for some time with my Stirling V2s and never ceased to be amazed by the weight and authority these little speakers possessed. Look at designs from Canary, Rogue, or the quality end of Chi-fi - Eastern Electric perhaps?
Hi regafan,
As I was searching for what would become my last pair of Mini-Monitors back in October 2009, and having taking it upon myself to email or call the designer of your beloved Stirling Broadcast V2's as as Clark Williams @ Acoustic Sounds whom is responsible for importing them into the states as i was thinking about either them of a pair of Harbeth P3-ESR's.
I was told that the LS 3/5A V2's were voiced with valve ( tube ) amps and would sound better with an ancient 1940's based tube amp that might be found used at $150, that would sound better with it then anyone's $10.000 Solid State amp - this was in fact later confirmed by Clark as well, whom went on to add that in his mind as he sells both Harbeth and Stirling Broadcast - that if a person is into solid state amps? - go with the Harbeth's, but if they were into tubes ( valves ) - then the Stirling Broadcast were the only way to go.
Now I've read reviews and have a few friends swear by using tubes with Harbeth's on a whole. But to my ears there seems to be something lacking which I'd only call a sense of opening up along with resolution which tube amps tend to roll off at some points and don't have the extension at both ends that solid state amps bring to the party if you will.
Bottom line - is that if you had a tube amp - say a Quad 11 or something with around 15-30 watts per side due to the balance and emphasis on its midband areas you wouldn't be lacking in lower end detail and/or a greater perception of their low end. Tubes if nothing else add a much weightier sound at the lower frequencies as well. As I've owned over 18 pairs of Mini-Monitors since 1982, I've yet to hear a sub that was capable of keeping up or blending in seamlessly with any of them without drawing attention to the fact one was somewhere in the room.
I'd say stick with your speakers, as LS 3/5A's more then most have a certain manner to which they render vocalists and instruments that aren't overly complex in a manner few others can or ever will. Hence their popularity in Asian Culture where they tend to want " Beauty of Notes and Texture and Tonality " above all else.
Read between the lines while staying focused - I'd say.
Regards,
scar
Great and informative post Oscar. I've wanted Stirling's for a while now for my small NY apartment, when the finances are sufficient and the wife isn't looking I'll pick a pair up.
If you don't mind my asking, what is the 1940's $150 tube amp you mention in your post? I have a Scott 299B but as it's an EL84 amp, I don't know if it has enough grunt for the LS3/5A's.
PS: I must give Clark a call, I believe I worked with him for Tower Records in the early 90's and back then he had LS3/5A's running off of a pair of McIntosh MC30's and an Audio Reseatch SP6B, what a fantastic system.
I revisited HB2s a decade or so ago, they are truly superb speakers, in fact I felt they gave the Harbeth Compact 7s I had at the time a damn good run in most areas. The only negative is the drivers are no longer available and, at least based on the pair I had, suffer the effects of cone-sag, plus I had issues with one tweeter too. There was one bass note that would make one of the bass drivers rattle or scrape at even low volume, even after rotating it 180 degrees, which was most annoying. Were they Audax drivers? Can't remember. I wish someone would make a modern equivalent of them, they were a remarkable speaker and a really nice size and shape too.
Should be possible.
I'm wondering what the closest current models would be.
Perhaps Proac SC1?
Similar size and has the BBC balance sound.
Hi, I haven't gone away; the topic seemed to have taken on a life of its own so happy to sit back and hear people's opinions. Thanks for your full replies by the way, I do understand what you are saying. You very much want me to stick with what I've got, and indeed what I enjoy and know a good thing when you've got it.
At the moment I'm probably going to have a go with a sub with the Ls3's and see how that goes. I do have reservations about moving them on to make way for a bigger speaker; indeed there is probably a case for keeping them as well as something larger; but you have to be careful of ending up with a living room strewn with boxes. I had 10 amps a while back so it was getting a bit silly. They've now mostly been sold on.
Hence really the thread and going back to basics, having one or two amps maybe, one or two speakers. Box swapping can take a life of its own, I was starting to find myself more interested in the quest to hear different sounds rather than enjoying the music, so decided to cut back to a simple system that just plays music for enjoyment sake.
The SP1s are lovely and a reasonable second hand buy. I still like them 25 years after owning my first pair.
I have Stirling V2's and Harbeth P3ESR's. In smaller rooms and more nearfield I prefer the V2's. Otherwise, the Harbeths.
I have never in 30 years heard what I thought was a good blend of LS3/5a's and a subwoofer. The P3ESR's, on the other hand, blend beautifully with many subs. That system - P3ESR's and a sub - is amazing.
I would look real hard at the new Stirling LS3/6.
Oh, and if you want your V2's to sound their best look into Skylan stands.
-Mike