As part of the recent retro-revival trend sweeping the world of hi-fi, Musical Fidelity has announced the release of two new speakers modelled on classic BBC original specs. The new Musical Fidelity LS3/5A is a two-way standmount loudspeaker built according to a BBC R&D design from 1976, while the weightier LS5/9 loudspeaker is made to replicate a similar speaker from 1983.

The shorter, squatter LS5/5A closed-box loudspeaker comes equipped with a 19mm tweeter dome and an 11cm woofer, with a claimed frequency response of 80Hz – 20KHz. The taller, slimmer LS5/9, meanwhile, features a 34mm tweeter, a 21cm mid/bass cone and a reported frequency response of 50Hz – 20KHz. It’s also much heftier than its retro sibling, weighing 12kg (per speaker) compared to the LS3/5A’s 4.9kg.

The LS4/5A cabinet is constructed from birch plywood with a Palisander veneer finish, while the LS5/9 also features birch plywood but with a light, cherry veneer instead.

The two designs are the result of different intended functions. The original BBC model on which the LS4/5A is based was initially made for being placed in smaller, space-restricted areas such as TV mobile control rooms, but became more popular broadly for music studios and within wider audiophile circles.

The LS5/9, based on another BBC R&D design, was developed to be a more versatile speaker that could, according to Musical Fidelity, “Fulfil the complete range of music genres from classical to pop music.”

For more info visit: https://www.whathifi.com/news/musical-fidelity-unveils-two-new-loudspeakers-based-on-the-bbcs-original-designs