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Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • Graham Audio's designs benefit from Derek Hughes's expertise, son of Spencer Hughes (Spendor), maintaining a strong connection to the classic BBC sound.
  • The brand is committed to BBC "thin-wall" cabinet construction, using birch plywood, corner fillets, and strategically placed mastic elements to manage resonances.
  • Musical Fidelity speakers deliver a clean, smooth, even, and detailed sound with pleasing subtlety, tight bass, and fine imaging.
  • Graham Audio's LS3/5A variants provide both a historically accurate sound reproduction and dynamic range for smaller spaces, as well as offer an opportunity for use in larger rooms.

Chartwell LS3/5

  • Positioning: The entry-level model in the Chartwell series, designed for small spaces and nearfield listening.
  • Description: Praised for its natural and uncolored sound, making it ideal for those who prioritize vocal clarity and detail in compact environments. Unlike larger models in the lineup, it lacks deep bass extension, which is a trade-off for its small size and portability, making it less suitable for those seeking a full-range sound in larger rooms.

Chartwell LS6

  • Positioning: A mid-range model in the Chartwell series, offering a balance between size and performance.
  • Description: Stands out with its modern driver technology, providing greater clarity and a bigger soundstage compared to the LS3/5. It offers a more detailed and dynamic sound.

Graham LS5/9

  • Positioning: A classic model in the Graham lineup, known for its BBC heritage and studio monitor accuracy.
  • Description: This model is celebrated for its superb midrange and natural vocal reproduction, making it a favorite for critical listening and professional use. Compared to the LS3/5, it offers a fuller sound with better bass response.

Graham LS5/9f

  • Positioning: An advanced floor-standing version of the LS5/9, designed for enhanced bass and room-filling sound.
  • Description: Enhances the classic LS5/9 design with a floor-standing cabinet, providing deeper bass and a more expansive soundstage.

Graham LS5/8

  • Positioning: A high-end model in the Graham lineup, offering professional-grade performance for audiophiles and studios.
  • Description: Known for its exceptional accuracy and wide frequency response. It surpasses the LS5/9 in terms of bass depth and overall power.
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Avg. Product Price
$10,001-$20,000
Used For Sale
4
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Brand Popularity
152
 of 900+
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Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
20
Founding Year

Our take on the brand

Graham Audio is a UK-based brand that handcrafts loudspeakers following classic BBC monitor designs, using thin-wall birch ply cabinets for a natural, open sound. Their speakers, particularly the LS5/9 and LS5/5 models, are known for exceptional midrange and vocal reproduction, with an electrostatic-like openness that makes them favorites among audiophiles seeking accurate reproduction of live instruments.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

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Brand Page

What if you spend more?

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What competes at this price?

PMC
PMC8-2
15250
/
Released
2021
This three-way active studio monitor is designed to provide critical reference monitoring for the most demanding applications.
Check Amazon
PMC is a hifi speaker brand known for its Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology, which enhances bass response and reduces distortion, and its LaminairX technology in the Prophecy series, which reduces turbulence and harmonic distortion by up to 3dB. Their active speakers are preferred by music and audio professionals for their tonal accuracy and dynamic range, with user reviews particularly praising their accurate midrange and detailed sound compared to brands like Dynaudio and B&W.
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Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Unparalleled clarity, definition, and utmost accuracy
  • Excellent bass extension and clarity, as well as proper tonal balance at every volume
  • Super wide dispersion, and thus a bigger sweet spot

Product Considerations

  • It would be overkill in smaller rooms
  • A pair is a significant investment, so it makes sense that it's geared toward large, professional recording environments
  • They weigh nearly 100 pounds apiece

Takeaway: The PMC 8-2 is a wise investment for professional studios that delivers detailed and accurate monitoring, so it could very well be the only monitor needed It uses proprietary technology to deliver its signature sound

Video review

Our take on the brand

PMC is a hifi speaker brand known for its Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology, which enhances bass response and reduces distortion, and its LaminairX technology in the Prophecy series, which reduces turbulence and harmonic distortion by up to 3dB. Their active speakers are preferred by music and audio professionals for their tonal accuracy and dynamic range, with user reviews particularly praising their accurate midrange and detailed sound compared to brands like Dynaudio and B&W.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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