...Further listening confirmed what I first thought, that the bass was tighter and subjectively deeper
than any ‘3/5a I have heard.
Leonard Cohen’s ‘Old Ideas’ was a good test.
Yes, the bass end is superb.
The midrange ?
LS3/5a without question.
If you’re a ‘3/5a fan you’ll understand.
The mid. moves seamlessly into the top end, which is detailed but so smooth.
I almost forgot, a piano sounds like. A piano.
As for the soundstage and depth, they are there in spades.
I almost know a question which will come up.
How do they compare with the Harbeth P3s ?
Slightly brighter, midrange more open and the bass tighter.
The bass end of the Harbeths is fuller and perhaps warmer.
...
The Harbeths are up for sale. These Stirlings must be something else!
So Martyn, does this capture the essence of your comparison of the V3s to the Harbs? Are you left with a clear preference? Whether you have a clear preference or not, anything more to say about why different folk might prefer one or the other, or the Falcons for that matter...?
These are BC1s of 1970s vintage, would that be right? I believe there are Stirling, Spendors, Grahams and Harbeths of similar dimension, is that not so? Can you comment on how the BC1s compare with any of these current descendants?
.Knowing Stirling’s reputation, I am tempted by their interpretation of the BBC LS3/6.
Stirling’s SB88 could be described as a smaller standmount speaker.
It has many of the characteristics of the LS3/6.
I’d like to hear a pair in my home.
Yes, this does capture the essence of my comparison. After much listening I do prefer the V3s, but not by a giant
amount. One real preference is the bass on the V3s.
It is better defined and subjectively deeper than the P3s
Bass is important to me. I used to play the bass guitar and always listen for the low end in music.
String bass just sounds beautiful on these Stirlings, as well as electric.
Don’t get me wrong, the P3s bass is good. No question.
The other main area of the V3s is imaging and the ‘space’ around the music. Yes, the Harbeths ( and Falcons ) have
it but the Stirlings are just that little bit better.
I would love to keep the Harbeths, to use in place of my BC1s from time to time, but really can’t afford to own
both.
Lastly, the Rosewood cabinets of the Stirlings are really beautiful...