Rogers LS3/5A still the best choice

BBC originally designed the LS3/5A as a studio monitor speaker, and the shoebox size loudspeaker produces impressive sound and has become the best mini loudspeaker in the world despite being a bit pricy, which is understandable as BBC is still imposing a 10% levy from each and every pair sold.

I bought my first pair of Rogers LS3/5A back in 1992, and it fit perfectly in my midget home. Partnering with ROTEL's pre-amp and power amp, the baby loudspeakers have kept making all my friends feel astonished how dramatic yet clean and clear sound could be produced from the small walnut wood boxes. The vocals were the most natural and the midrange was sublime. Compared to my old AR94 which was big and any other model I have listened to, this small British-made loudspeaker has cut the mustard in its brilliant midrange and stereo imaging, except for the very low-range as limited by its woofer size. But I am not a fan of sub-bass or synthesized sounds, and definitely don't feel a loss with less intense bass.

In recent years, my Rogers seemed to begin to lose its magic, and after rounds of primitive tests including replacing cables, trying out different versions of recordings, and eventually installing a new Roksan Blak amplifier which I was told can support the Rogers fantastically, all didn't seem promising!

A psychological unshakable assumption must have prevented me from thinking in terms of the speakers themselves. For years, I kept exploring new suspects, including my own ears. Eventually, I asked my son if the speakers sounded strange to him, and his response resolved all the puzzles. He said he thought I knew they were bad! Then I realized they had aged, and nothing can revert it.

So, I bought a new pair of the exact same Rogers LS3/5A in walnut wood. The moment they got connected up, the first batch of notes from Yoyo Ma's Bach Cello Suites was lively and real, with the low-side midrange sound of the amazing evenness of Ma's playing filling the room. You simply couldn't stop listening until the very end. Then, I switched to Latin American jazz. The vibrant and democratic collaborations of piano, trumpets and drums were all right in front of me, with every instrument so awesomely distinguishable, and again real!

Thank God! All my favourite music, from classic, jazz, to Jacky Cheung's, has now returned!

September 12, 2021