Graham LS5/8 & LS5/8S
Graham LS5/8
The LS5/8 emerges as the BBC's premier loudspeaker model, developed in response to the need for higher sound pressure levels and improved transparency and uniformity over what the older LS5/5 could achieve. Notably, it was the first BBC loudspeaker to employ a polypropylene diaphragm, which, being lighter than Bextrene, enhanced efficiency and reduced sound coloration. Its meticulously designed cone profile also allows it to perform exceptionally well into the midrange frequencies.
The Graham Audio LS5/8, the result of many months of dedicated development, further advances this design. Created in collaboration with Derek Hughes and Volt Loudspeakers, and licensed for manufacture in the UK, it introduces a distinctive 12-inch bass/midrange driver paired with the 34mm Audax tweeter also found in the LS5/9.
True to the tradition of BBC monitors, its cabinet is crafted with precision, utilizing high-quality birch plywood and hardwood batons. The 12mm thick panels are designed to be mass-loaded to shift resonances away from the critical midrange, with Rockwool preferred over cheaper foam for superior air damping.
This design maintains the LS5/9’s celebrated midrange clarity and balance while delivering deeper bass and more powerful performance at high volumes in larger spaces. The seamless sound quality between this and the LS5/9 ensures engineers can switch between the two models with confidence throughout recording and mastering tasks.
Originally intended as an active system, Derek Hughes has ingeniously crafted a passive crossover for the LS5/8 that significantly enhances resolution and imaging, adhering to the strict BBC standards.
Graham LS5/8S
The slotted version is the new tuned version of the LS5/8