Chartwell LS3/5A BBC - Monitors, Rare, Early 15 - Ohm,
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:486911 | Model: LS3/5A |
| Brand: Chartwell | Type: BBC Monitor |
Original, early matched-pair of 15-ohm Chartwell LS3/5As in perfectworking order with a lovely appearance. Fully intact with all original parts andunmolested. Never damaged or repaired. Matching serial numbers: 3379 and 3380.Among the BBC-licensed brands and versions of the LS3/5As, speakersmade by the legendary Chartwell Electro Acoustics Ltd are considered theultimate and the most-sought-after for sound quality. Their sound is oftendescribed as being “smoother” than other version...s of the LS3/5A, with less “spitty”highs and better midrange neutrality, especially on voices. They reproduce music beautifully - especially with strings andvoices being very neutral. Imaging can be startling. Transients are fast and detailed.The sound is full and balanced.This most desirable version can be identified by these features: · One black square sticker plus oneround sticker on each speaker, saying: “Impedance 15 Ω” and “Chartwell Electro Acoustics Ltd Mitcham, Surrey”
· Screw terminals (not bananajacks)
· Red tack indicating positiveterminal
· No staples were used for the“Velcro” hook-and-loop fastener strips on the speaker’s faceplate
· Thinner, more acousticallytransparent grill cloth, rather than the thicker Tygan used on other versions
I am the original owner. I bought them shortly after college in thelate seventies. I used them gently with low-power tube amps, and then I loanedthem to my elderly parents for the past several decades where they sat on a shelfalmost unused. With my parents in their nineties, the speakers were returned tome. Today they sound just as good as new, and they deserve the best qualityamplification and sources.There are several less sought-after versions that are also badgedas Chartwell. After the original production by Chartwell itself, Chartwell outsourcedproduction to Swisstone, which also made the Rogers brand. These speakers havea square silver sticker on the back saying “Manufactured by SwisstoneElectronics Ltd…” Their serial numbers begin with “SC”. These are often seen oneBay. Recently there has also been a speaker made by Graham Audio that uses theChartwell name. No doubt these other versions are excellent speakers, but the earlyoriginal speakers made by Chartwell are considered the ultimate. Some say thisis due to Chartwell’s choice of the best crossover parts (especially the many filmcapacitors) plus Chartwell’s legendary matching and quality control.Note: Chartwell offered a kit version of this speaker called ‘ProjectSymphony’. You do NOT want these because build quality is variable and uncertain.These are not the kit speakers.Cosmetics: The cabinet wallshave a lovely glowing appearance despite a few signs of use. There are a few scratchesand edge scrapes, which are hard to see in the photos. Corners are intact. The satinwood finish is in very good condition. No water marks. The grill covers andbadges are in excellent condition. All original stickers are present. The screwterminals are tight. Overall appearance is probably about as good as anyoriginal Chartwell out there. Shipping: We pack all vintage treasureswith great care, almost obsessively. The speakers have been double-boxed as apair with foam protection in the inner box and packing material between the innerand outer boxes.The shipping weight is about 30 pounds, so shipping costs will not be cheap, but you can beassured that they should survive rough handling and long-distance shipping.In the rare case that an item is damaged in transit, buyer mustcontact seller within 3 business days of delivery. Buyer MUST retain all boxand packing materials in order for us to file an insurance claim. Failure toretain packaging will void buyer’s right to receive insurance reimbursement orcredit for shipping damages.Buyer is responsible for all shipping charges, duties, VAT (valueadded tax), customs fees and any other fees, if applicable. Before bidding orbuying, please check with your local postal carrier/customs office for moreinformation about any possible fees. Under no circumstances is the sellerliable for any additional fees charged to buyer. Seller will not adjust orfalsify an item’s declared value for customs or importing purposes.All shipments will be insured. In cases of high value items, additional insurance may apply - above eBay's calculated shipping price.This item may also be picked up in the South Florida area, butonly after the sale is complete, to prevent “no shows”.Terms: Like all vintage equipmentthat we sell, this item is sold “as-is”, with no warranties, no refunds and noreturns, notwithstanding any representations made elsewhere herein. When anitem is listed "as-is" we do our best to describe the item honestlyin text and pictures. Buyer should satisfy himself regarding this item’scondition by viewing the photos provided. Photos are part of the description. ABuyer should expect that this item may require service at any point in time, due to its age. Sale is final.Items must be paid for within 3 calendar days of winning the itemunless "Buy It Now" is used which requires immediate payment. Paymentmust be made by PayPal (only).Under no circumstances shall seller be held responsible for anyloss, damage or malfunction (including personal injury) resulting from orcaused by buyer’s use of our items.Per eBay policies, each offer or bid that you place enters youinto a binding contract to complete a transaction. If a potential buyer cannotfully accept these terms and the risk that it implies, do not bid or buy.*******Thankyou for looking!
· Screw terminals (not bananajacks)
· Red tack indicating positiveterminal
· No staples were used for the“Velcro” hook-and-loop fastener strips on the speaker’s faceplate
· Thinner, more acousticallytransparent grill cloth, rather than the thicker Tygan used on other versions
I am the original owner. I bought them shortly after college in thelate seventies. I used them gently with low-power tube amps, and then I loanedthem to my elderly parents for the past several decades where they sat on a shelfalmost unused. With my parents in their nineties, the speakers were returned tome. Today they sound just as good as new, and they deserve the best qualityamplification and sources.There are several less sought-after versions that are also badgedas Chartwell. After the original production by Chartwell itself, Chartwell outsourcedproduction to Swisstone, which also made the Rogers brand. These speakers havea square silver sticker on the back saying “Manufactured by SwisstoneElectronics Ltd…” Their serial numbers begin with “SC”. These are often seen oneBay. Recently there has also been a speaker made by Graham Audio that uses theChartwell name. No doubt these other versions are excellent speakers, but the earlyoriginal speakers made by Chartwell are considered the ultimate. Some say thisis due to Chartwell’s choice of the best crossover parts (especially the many filmcapacitors) plus Chartwell’s legendary matching and quality control.Note: Chartwell offered a kit version of this speaker called ‘ProjectSymphony’. You do NOT want these because build quality is variable and uncertain.These are not the kit speakers.Cosmetics: The cabinet wallshave a lovely glowing appearance despite a few signs of use. There are a few scratchesand edge scrapes, which are hard to see in the photos. Corners are intact. The satinwood finish is in very good condition. No water marks. The grill covers andbadges are in excellent condition. All original stickers are present. The screwterminals are tight. Overall appearance is probably about as good as anyoriginal Chartwell out there. Shipping: We pack all vintage treasureswith great care, almost obsessively. The speakers have been double-boxed as apair with foam protection in the inner box and packing material between the innerand outer boxes.The shipping weight is about 30 pounds, so shipping costs will not be cheap, but you can beassured that they should survive rough handling and long-distance shipping.In the rare case that an item is damaged in transit, buyer mustcontact seller within 3 business days of delivery. Buyer MUST retain all boxand packing materials in order for us to file an insurance claim. Failure toretain packaging will void buyer’s right to receive insurance reimbursement orcredit for shipping damages.Buyer is responsible for all shipping charges, duties, VAT (valueadded tax), customs fees and any other fees, if applicable. Before bidding orbuying, please check with your local postal carrier/customs office for moreinformation about any possible fees. Under no circumstances is the sellerliable for any additional fees charged to buyer. Seller will not adjust orfalsify an item’s declared value for customs or importing purposes.All shipments will be insured. In cases of high value items, additional insurance may apply - above eBay's calculated shipping price.This item may also be picked up in the South Florida area, butonly after the sale is complete, to prevent “no shows”.Terms: Like all vintage equipmentthat we sell, this item is sold “as-is”, with no warranties, no refunds and noreturns, notwithstanding any representations made elsewhere herein. When anitem is listed "as-is" we do our best to describe the item honestlyin text and pictures. Buyer should satisfy himself regarding this item’scondition by viewing the photos provided. Photos are part of the description. ABuyer should expect that this item may require service at any point in time, due to its age. Sale is final.Items must be paid for within 3 calendar days of winning the itemunless "Buy It Now" is used which requires immediate payment. Paymentmust be made by PayPal (only).Under no circumstances shall seller be held responsible for anyloss, damage or malfunction (including personal injury) resulting from orcaused by buyer’s use of our items.Per eBay policies, each offer or bid that you place enters youinto a binding contract to complete a transaction. If a potential buyer cannotfully accept these terms and the risk that it implies, do not bid or buy.*******Thankyou for looking!
