This new loudspeaker is a 3-way loudspeaker designed for Stirling Broadcast by Derek Hughes to be as close to the original BBC LS3/6 specification as was possible with modern components, and built under licence from the BBC. The BBC LS3/6 license was only obtained after submission to the BBC for rigorous examination to ensure adherence to the original specification.

The original BBC LS3/6 Loudspeaker was designed as a monitoring loudspeaker for outside broadcast use, as with the smaller LS3/5a speaker. Once the design was finalised Rogers became one of the first companies to produce this complicated design. A summary of the history of the design can be found on Mark Hennessy's site.

The Stirling Broadcast LS3/6 takes advantage of the greater consistency and linearity of modern drive units compared to when the LS3/6 was originally designed. A very high quality crossover is used to mesh custom made drive units, including a super-tweeter, into thin-wall, birch plywood (9mm ply) cabinets with double thickness rubber damping pads and screw-on, removable front and rear panels, as per the BBC "lossy" cabinet design ideal, as also seen in the Stirling version of the LS3/5a.

This new version offers greater power-handling than the original versions from the 1970 and 1980s, and offers the smooth frequency response, very low colouration and good dispersion commensurate to addearing to the specifications of a BBC monitor.

The LS3/6 is a 3 way reflex full range, freestanding assembly, designed to meet the needs of high quality studio monitoring at moderate sound levels. The speaker contains 3 drive units, custom built specifically for this loudspeaker and mounted in a 45litre reflex loaded cabinet, together with a crossover/equaliser unit to match the units and to give the overall level frequency response needed for critical listening.

The loudspeaker system has an IEC268 power handling of 90watts continuous, 150watts short term and a frequency response of 45Hz - 17kHz +/-3dB, with crossover points of 3kHz and 13kHz. It possesses a sensitivity of 87dB for 1watt at 1metre, and a maximum output of 107dB.

The loudspeaker utilises a 22cm LF drive unit SB-4432, 27mm HF unit SB-4434 and 19mm SHF unit SB-4436, and the nominal impedance is 8ohms. The connections are by bi-wired screw terminals accepting both 4mm plugs and bare wires up to 4mm cross sectional area.

The cabinet is 30cm wide, 30cm deep and 63cm high and of a thin wall damped construction with internal standing wave damping, finished in pair matched wood veneer with a matt lacquer finish. The weight is 18.5kg.

Caratteristiche tecniche:
Power Handling: 90w continuous,150w short term, IEC268
Max Sound Level: 107dB, pair @2m
Input Impedance: 8ohm nominal
Input connections: Bi-wire, 4mm terminals
Frequency Response: 45Hz to 17kHz +/-3dB(On HF axis @1m)
Sensitivity: 87dB/1watt/1m
Cabinet Dimensions: 30cm (12") wide x 30cm (12") deep x 63cm (24") high
LF Drive Unit: SB-4432
HF Drive Unit: SB-4434
SHF Drive Unit: SB-4436
Crossover frequencies: 3kHz, 13kHz
Weight: 18.5kg

A BIT OF STIRLING HISTORY...

After a long history of repairing and servicing LS3/5a's from within both the professional and amateur arenas, Stirling Broadcast became involved in the manufacture of LS3/5a loudspeakers after purchasing and reselling the bankrupt Rogers stock as NOS. Once an LS3/5a License had been obtained from the BBC, Stirling Broadcast commissioned the manufacture of new T27 and B110 drive units from KEF and reintroduced the LS3/5a to the market, to enthusiastic reception. Shortly afterwards Stirling Broadcast began its path of innovation in the LS3/5a world by introducing higher quality crossovers, referred to as 'SuperSpec', and thin-walled, screw-back cabinets modelled after the prototype LS3/5a cabinets and as seen on the 001/002 pair demonstrated at the HiFi News shows of 2001 and 2002.

Following problems and uncertainties with the continuing supply of T27 and B110 drive units Stirling Broadcast have introduced an updated version of the LS3/5a, unofficially known as the V2. The designer, a luminary in the audio industry, has utilised specially prepared SEAS and ScanSpeak drive units with high grade crossovers that accurately mimic the response characteristics of the original versions. Indeed, feedback from professional and domestic customers so far has indicated that Stirling Broadcast has successfully managed to capture the best aspects of both versions of the LS3/5a, combining the faster and more modern sound of the 11ohm version with the seductive vocal abilities of the 15ohm version, and adding an improved and extended bass response and greater power handling for good measure.

Available finishes:

• Walnut
• Cherry
• Rosewood Limited Edition Gold Label.
• Zebrano Limited Edition Gold Label
• Ebony "Tiger Stripes" Limited Edition Gold Label

Veneer Examples - in order Rosewood, Walnut, Zebrano, Ebony, Cherry