Musical Fidelity LS 5/9 BBC Monitor, cherry veneer
The legend.
In its long history, the venerable BBC has not only created programmes for radio and television, but has also carried out research and development in many areas. Certainly the best-known development is the legendary LS3/5A nearfield monitor. The nomenclature alone suggests that there are still significantly more treasures to be unearthed in the fund of this department.
The LS5/9 was created in its basic features as early as the 70s and the development documentation dates from August 1983. It was not intended to replace the LS5/8, which had been built for some time, but to make it more practical to use by halving the case volume. The result: perhaps the best loudspeaker ever designed and built.
MUSICAL FIDELITY shows a heart for lovers of the most intimate musical enjoyment and, together with the LS5/9 and LS3/5A monitors, presents the no less legendary Class A integrated amplifier A1. Both speakers harmonize perfectly with the A1 and quite a few owners of these combinations report incredibly beautiful journeys into the deepest musical emotions.
The features.
The BBC needs monitors for many different applications to assess the sound of the material to be broadcast in order to be able to readjust it at the mixing console if necessary. In addition to the legendary LS3/5A, there are many other in-house developments for different areas of application.
The LS5/9 model also became well-known and legendary outside the broadcasting rooms. One of the goals in its development was to have a monitor speaker that was easy to transport for outdoor use, but still had impressive level and bass reserves.
The development of the LS5/9 dates back to 1983. Since the engineers took over the treble range 1:1 from the predecessor LS5/8, the original origin of the LS5/9 can also be dated back to the 70s of the last century. So you can assume that every broadcast, be it television or radio, has been "listened to" by the BBC since that time with one of the two monitors now reissued by MUSICAL FIDELITY.
The chassis.
In elaborate series of measurements and comparisons to already existing, of course also self-developed, monitor designs, the LS5/9 was tuned for the best clarity and purity of the human voice. For this purpose, a completely new woofer chassis was developed, which the BBC initially also manufactured itself - including its own tool molds for the production of the desired diaphragm shape. The woofer is characteristic of the LS5/9, if only because of its colouring. The diaphragm of the chassis with the BBC's internal type designation LS2/14 has a very special shape - also called Nawi diaphragm (non-unwindable). This gives the diaphragm a high axial stiffness without a large amount of material, which leads to a very fast response. This design made it possible to dispense with the coating of the polypropylene membrane. Even far outside its range of use, the diaphragm remains oily, calm and composed.
The tweeter (called LS2/12 within the BBC) was already used identically in the much larger LS5/8 model. Its tonal quality had already been completely convincing there. It is a stately 34mm soft dome dome, which is equipped with a perforated mask for protection but also to widen the beam angle.
The crossover.
The development of the prototype initially took place as an active version. This allowed adjustments to be made faster and more efficiently. The conversion into a passive loudspeaker that was then much easier to handle on site took place later. The crossover frequency is 2.4 kHz and the circuitry is quite complex and demanding, unlike many high-end speakers of recent date.
In order to be able to react to different applications, the sound balance of the loudspeaker can be optimized by the user himself by lowering or raising the treble level. For this purpose, there is a resistance network on the crossover, which changes the circuit by simply soldering the connection visible next to the tweeter in such a way that the treble level can be selected between -1, -1/2, 0 and +1 dB.
The case.
In order to generate actual low-frequency sound pressure from this cabinet size, the BBC opted for a bass reflex design. The opening is also invisible on the front of the speaker and due to the cover included in the sound tuning when using it.
The external dimensions of 46cm and a footprint of approx. 28 x 28cm have been chosen in such a way that the LS5/9 is the perfect link between the LS3/5A nearfield monitor and its siblings, some of which are much larger.
From today's point of view, the case is very thin. The BBC relied on 9mm thick birch plywood for the design of the LS5/9, which is stiffened at the edges with struts. Almost all surfaces are steamed with bitumen boards. To cushion the inner volume of 28 litres, dust-proof packed mineral wool is used. Thus, the LS5/9 has an impressive individual weight of approx. 12 kg.
The highly stable and highly conductive connectors accept 4mm connectors as well as cable lugs as well as bare cable ends. The version in cherry real wood corresponds to the first design of the LS5/9. The veneer, selected in pairs and optimally processed, discreetly underlines the exclusive appearance of the LS5/9.
The line-up.
The LS5/9 is very good-natured thanks to its very harmonious dispersion and the front-mounted bass reflex port and can unleash its potential in a wide range of applications. Especially here, the meticulousness of the development stands out very positively - after all, the goal was to have a single monitor for almost all field missions. Of course, it feels most comfortable on a rather low and stable stand. Your stereo imaging will remain wide even if you are not sitting in the optimal seat.
Even if the size of the LS5/9 initially tempts you to put it in the "usual" speaker space, it still remains a studio monitor and can therefore be absolutely convincing even at very short distances. The two drivers mesh so harmoniously that they don't fray apart even in the near field. So don't be afraid of perhaps daring line-up variations. Of course, you can remove the cover, but the tonal tuning was done with the stringing on.
The sound.
Anyone who still knows radio from its good old days will certainly have painfully noticed the ever-decreasing sound quality of radio. FM was an excellent transmission in terms of sound at the time. And what did the radio play with - if not live? With real, official turntables: EMT, the large DENON direct-drive cars and everything that makes the fan's heart beat faster. From this point of view, you had a really thick record player at home at the time - along with an all-encompassing record collection. This is the only way to explain why music was so captivating at that time, even via small transistor radios - and why it is no longer so today with transmission rates of 128 kBit/s on average.
And at that time, at least at the BBC, no sound left the broadcasting house that was not controlled and mixed by a sound engineer via one of the famous BBC studio monitors.
You can now come there again! Owning a good turntable has never been easier. The selection of really great and thrilling devices is larger today than ever. And to give you the opportunity to listen as well at home as the BBC sound engineers, MUSICAL FIDELITY presents the perfect solution for the true music lover with the two models LS3/5A and the LS5/9 presented here.
Designed as a loudspeaker for almost any program, the LS5/9 has no preference for a specific music genre. With this in mind, however, you will quickly notice that you now hear your music differently than before. As a studio monitor, voices and unamplified instruments are simply more fun with it, as they stand in front of the listener in an unprecedented realism. This also gives the new electronic sounds a completely new dimension with the absolute clarity and purity characteristic of the LS5/9.
You hear the sentence again and again that there is no such thing as the perfect loudspeaker. Otherwise there would only be one. But we are very close with the LS5/9!
Specifications:
The legend.
In its long history, the venerable BBC has not only created programmes for radio and television, but has also carried out research and development in many areas. Certainly the best-known development is the legendary LS3/5A nearfield monitor. The nomenclature alone suggests that there are still significantly more treasures to be unearthed in the fund of this department.
The LS5/9 was created in its basic features as early as the 70s and the development documentation dates from August 1983. It was not intended to replace the LS5/8, which had been built for some time, but to make it more practical to use by halving the case volume. The result: perhaps the best loudspeaker ever designed and built.
MUSICAL FIDELITY shows a heart for lovers of the most intimate musical enjoyment and, together with the LS5/9 and LS3/5A monitors, presents the no less legendary Class A integrated amplifier A1. Both speakers harmonize perfectly with the A1 and quite a few owners of these combinations report incredibly beautiful journeys into the deepest musical emotions.
The features.
- built according to BBC specifications (BBC-RD 1983/10)
- Highest quality and true-to-the-original components
- Bass reflex cabinet
- two ways
- Easy to operate due to high-impedance concept (8 ohms)
- Best workmanship
- Case in cherry-real wood veneer
- perfect harmony with the MUSICAL FIDELITY A1 Class A amplifier
The BBC needs monitors for many different applications to assess the sound of the material to be broadcast in order to be able to readjust it at the mixing console if necessary. In addition to the legendary LS3/5A, there are many other in-house developments for different areas of application.
The LS5/9 model also became well-known and legendary outside the broadcasting rooms. One of the goals in its development was to have a monitor speaker that was easy to transport for outdoor use, but still had impressive level and bass reserves.
The development of the LS5/9 dates back to 1983. Since the engineers took over the treble range 1:1 from the predecessor LS5/8, the original origin of the LS5/9 can also be dated back to the 70s of the last century. So you can assume that every broadcast, be it television or radio, has been "listened to" by the BBC since that time with one of the two monitors now reissued by MUSICAL FIDELITY.
The chassis.
In elaborate series of measurements and comparisons to already existing, of course also self-developed, monitor designs, the LS5/9 was tuned for the best clarity and purity of the human voice. For this purpose, a completely new woofer chassis was developed, which the BBC initially also manufactured itself - including its own tool molds for the production of the desired diaphragm shape. The woofer is characteristic of the LS5/9, if only because of its colouring. The diaphragm of the chassis with the BBC's internal type designation LS2/14 has a very special shape - also called Nawi diaphragm (non-unwindable). This gives the diaphragm a high axial stiffness without a large amount of material, which leads to a very fast response. This design made it possible to dispense with the coating of the polypropylene membrane. Even far outside its range of use, the diaphragm remains oily, calm and composed.
The tweeter (called LS2/12 within the BBC) was already used identically in the much larger LS5/8 model. Its tonal quality had already been completely convincing there. It is a stately 34mm soft dome dome, which is equipped with a perforated mask for protection but also to widen the beam angle.
The crossover.
The development of the prototype initially took place as an active version. This allowed adjustments to be made faster and more efficiently. The conversion into a passive loudspeaker that was then much easier to handle on site took place later. The crossover frequency is 2.4 kHz and the circuitry is quite complex and demanding, unlike many high-end speakers of recent date.
In order to be able to react to different applications, the sound balance of the loudspeaker can be optimized by the user himself by lowering or raising the treble level. For this purpose, there is a resistance network on the crossover, which changes the circuit by simply soldering the connection visible next to the tweeter in such a way that the treble level can be selected between -1, -1/2, 0 and +1 dB.
The case.
In order to generate actual low-frequency sound pressure from this cabinet size, the BBC opted for a bass reflex design. The opening is also invisible on the front of the speaker and due to the cover included in the sound tuning when using it.
The external dimensions of 46cm and a footprint of approx. 28 x 28cm have been chosen in such a way that the LS5/9 is the perfect link between the LS3/5A nearfield monitor and its siblings, some of which are much larger.
From today's point of view, the case is very thin. The BBC relied on 9mm thick birch plywood for the design of the LS5/9, which is stiffened at the edges with struts. Almost all surfaces are steamed with bitumen boards. To cushion the inner volume of 28 litres, dust-proof packed mineral wool is used. Thus, the LS5/9 has an impressive individual weight of approx. 12 kg.
The highly stable and highly conductive connectors accept 4mm connectors as well as cable lugs as well as bare cable ends. The version in cherry real wood corresponds to the first design of the LS5/9. The veneer, selected in pairs and optimally processed, discreetly underlines the exclusive appearance of the LS5/9.
The line-up.
The LS5/9 is very good-natured thanks to its very harmonious dispersion and the front-mounted bass reflex port and can unleash its potential in a wide range of applications. Especially here, the meticulousness of the development stands out very positively - after all, the goal was to have a single monitor for almost all field missions. Of course, it feels most comfortable on a rather low and stable stand. Your stereo imaging will remain wide even if you are not sitting in the optimal seat.
Even if the size of the LS5/9 initially tempts you to put it in the "usual" speaker space, it still remains a studio monitor and can therefore be absolutely convincing even at very short distances. The two drivers mesh so harmoniously that they don't fray apart even in the near field. So don't be afraid of perhaps daring line-up variations. Of course, you can remove the cover, but the tonal tuning was done with the stringing on.
The sound.
Anyone who still knows radio from its good old days will certainly have painfully noticed the ever-decreasing sound quality of radio. FM was an excellent transmission in terms of sound at the time. And what did the radio play with - if not live? With real, official turntables: EMT, the large DENON direct-drive cars and everything that makes the fan's heart beat faster. From this point of view, you had a really thick record player at home at the time - along with an all-encompassing record collection. This is the only way to explain why music was so captivating at that time, even via small transistor radios - and why it is no longer so today with transmission rates of 128 kBit/s on average.
And at that time, at least at the BBC, no sound left the broadcasting house that was not controlled and mixed by a sound engineer via one of the famous BBC studio monitors.
You can now come there again! Owning a good turntable has never been easier. The selection of really great and thrilling devices is larger today than ever. And to give you the opportunity to listen as well at home as the BBC sound engineers, MUSICAL FIDELITY presents the perfect solution for the true music lover with the two models LS3/5A and the LS5/9 presented here.
Designed as a loudspeaker for almost any program, the LS5/9 has no preference for a specific music genre. With this in mind, however, you will quickly notice that you now hear your music differently than before. As a studio monitor, voices and unamplified instruments are simply more fun with it, as they stand in front of the listener in an unprecedented realism. This also gives the new electronic sounds a completely new dimension with the absolute clarity and purity characteristic of the LS5/9.
You hear the sentence again and again that there is no such thing as the perfect loudspeaker. Otherwise there would only be one. But we are very close with the LS5/9!
Specifications:
- Original: LS5/9 according to BBC RD 1983/10
- Type: 2-way, passive, bass reflex
- Number of chassis: 2
- Woofer/midrange: 1x 210 mm chassis
- Tweeter: 1x 34 mm horn tweeter
- Efficiency: 82.5dB/W/m
- Frequenzgang: 50 Hz – 20 kHz (± 4 dB)
- rec. Amplifier power: 20 to 150 watts
- Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
- Inputs: 4mm banana socket, screwable for
- Cable lugs and opening for bare
- Cable ends
- Housing: 9 mm birch plywood
- Dimensions W x H x D (mm): 460 x 275 x 285
- Weight: 12.0 kg
- Finishes: Cherry real wood veneer
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You receive a 2 year warranty from the date of purchase for all of our high quality hifi-products.
If you observe any problem while using the product, you have the possibility to contact our friendly service team.
You can also easily manage your guarantee concern – without being obliged to – under the section My Account.
If you observe any problem while using the product, you have the possibility to contact our friendly service team.
You can also easily manage your guarantee concern – without being obliged to – under the section My Account.
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