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Celef LS8 confusion

stewart tyler

New Member
I think I should clear up some confusion regarding the Celef LS8. I am known
as the man who designs ProAc speakers, but in 1973 I formed a company
called Celef Audio, and used to sell speakers with the Celef badge on. In 1979
I started making pro market speakers using ATC drive units. These units were
very expensive so we made them as ProAc, which stands for Professional
Acoustics, these were very popular and our company stopped using Celef
and carried on using ProAc. In around 1978 Celef made 2 mini monitors,
the Celef Mini and the Celef Micro, these were great sellers, but the LS3/5a
was Launched and they were competitors, they also had the BBC tag which
helped them sell. From the time they were launched until now I have been
fond of the LS3/5a, and even bought a pair or 2 from Spendor. I remember
having a long chat with Derek Hughes about ways to cure the LS3/5a when
they fell out of spec, since then I have modified and repaired quite a few
LS3/5a and IMO improved them. I always wondered how the LS3/5a would
sound with modern cutting edge drive units in the same cabinet. With my
knowledge of small mini monitors such as the ProAc tablette and 1SC I decided
to make the LS8, hand made by me, and made to order, the Celef Badge was
used because if it was ProAc the quantity required to satisfy importers would
be enormous. I hope that clears things up, and people who like the LS3/5a
sound might be interested in how they compare.
All the best from Stewart Tyler.
 
is there a choice of finishes? Not clear from the listing...
what stands are shown in the pics?
 
I think I should clear up some confusion regarding the Celef LS8. I am known
as the man who designs ProAc speakers, but in 1973 I formed a company
called Celef Audio, and used to sell speakers with the Celef badge on. In 1979
I started making pro market speakers using ATC drive units. These units were
very expensive so we made them as ProAc, which stands for Professional
Acoustics, these were very popular and our company stopped using Celef
and carried on using ProAc. In around 1978 Celef made 2 mini monitors,
the Celef Mini and the Celef Micro, these were great sellers, but the LS3/5a
was Launched and they were competitors, they also had the BBC tag which
helped them sell. From the time they were launched until now I have been
fond of the LS3/5a, and even bought a pair or 2 from Spendor. I remember
having a long chat with Derek Hughes about ways to cure the LS3/5a when
they fell out of spec, since then I have modified and repaired quite a few
LS3/5a and IMO improved them. I always wondered how the LS3/5a would
sound with modern cutting edge drive units in the same cabinet. With my
knowledge of small mini monitors such as the ProAc tablette and 1SC I decided
to make the LS8, hand made by me, and made to order, the Celef Badge was
used because if it was ProAc the quantity required to satisfy importers would
be enormous. I hope that clears things up, and people who like the LS3/5a
sound might be interested in how they compare.
All the best from Stewart Tyler.

Mr.Tyler,

I have enjoyed many PROAC speakers over the years but now with the new Celef LS8 using LS3/5a cabinet boxes should I understand that you acknowledge the BBC thin wall enclosures is a better solution to achieve correct timbral response or is it just a blast of nostalgia that motivated their creation?
 
I have happy memories of Celef speakers ( Monitors ) from the '70s.
Stuart Tyler seems to know what he's doing...

These LS8s appear to be another take on the 'LS3/5a Revival' taking place.
So you can buy Falcons, Stirlings, Celefs and other small speakers from the likes of Harbeth and Spendor.
 
Stuart or Stewart? Bit confusing as one is usually a first name and t'other a surname.

When I had my R3s, R3.5s and 4s I was given to understand that they were developed using (then) top A.R.C. amplification. I got this info. from a salesman in a prestigious showroom in London before buying the 3s.

Was this so? Thanks.
 
I visited ProAc a decade ago or so. The big Audio Research amps were still there in the main listening room, but decomissioned and for sale. In use were big Sugden amps.

The manufacturing hall itself stocked a collection of various large big amps of repute. I also remember seeing huge Jadis monos used for soak testing ;-)
 
Stewart - so what is the diff between the Celef LS8 and the new Tablette 10?

Is the LS8 still available?
 
Celef have been auctioning the LS8 on eBay recently. They are ex-demo. Last pair I saw, a week or so ago, got to £720 but failed to meet the reserve price.
 
Has anyone here heard the LS8s ?
I can imagine, given Stewart Tyler's background with his
ProAc models and experience with LS3/5as, they're very good.

I wonder how many pairs of been sold ?
I read somewhere online a report from an owner.
He was very pleased with them.
 
I have the new Tablette 10's and they are stunningly good. Best 'LS3/5a variant' I've heard by far (and I own P3ESR's and LS50's).
 
How large of a room do you have them in, and placement/listening position? Just curious as I have often pondered having another small mini-monitor in the house again.
 


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