In 2019, Falcon Acoustics passionately created a replica of the BBC’s last 1974 LS3/5a prototype, which they executed with utmost precision. This replica was launched as a limited edition of 50 pairs called the “Kingswood Warren Limited Edition,” paying homage to the BBC’s Kingswood Warren Technical Research Department, where the original LS3/5a monitors were born. Impressively, all 50 pairs were sold within eight days at $8,000 per pair.
According to the press release received from Falcon’s CEO, Jerry Bloomfield, “The Kingswood Warrens” featured redesigned inductors from the BBC’s Research and Development Department, special polycarbonate film capacitors refabricated by Falcon, and ultra-low inductance resistors – all in very limited quantities dictated by the availability of rare original materials preserved or acquired by Falcon. Bloomfield expressed that the passionate reception of Kingswood Warren surprised them and that its improved sound quality left an even greater impact.
“Consequently, we decided to explore how much of the Kingswood Warren’s sonic experience we could incorporate into our regular production LS3/5a models.”
“Historically, the transformers used from the initial production of LS3/5a onwards were made smaller than the BBC prototypes to save costs. We intentionally reversed that trend: the Gold Badge BBC LS3/5a filters incorporate larger inductors, BBC-style transformers, compared to previous versions. This results in lower distortion, improved saturation levels, and additional bass enhancement. My experiences in amplifier design taught me that replacing a physically smaller inductor (with higher resistance) with a larger one (with lower resistance) of the same inductance will reduce noise and increase low-level dynamics.”
“Then we looked at the capacitors,” Bloomfield continued.
The polycarbonate film has not been manufactured for over 30 years. Fortunately, we had some left for the Kingswood Warrens, and this allowed us to develop new Falcon capacitors using a graded polypropylene film, which provides a sonic signature very similar to the ones used in the Kingswood Warren Limited Edition, instead of the polyester film typically used. The new capacitors offer cleaner and more defined sound, adding an extra level of precision that I describe as being able to hear the spaces between the notes. All these advancements came together to create the Falcon Gold Badge LS3/5a crossover, which has now received registered design status from the BBC. Additionally, we use 100% UK/EU-made components.”
The KEY DIFFERENCES with its counterparts lie in a tighter bass with improved textures, resulting in a greater ability to “sync” with rhythms. This is accompanied by a more open midrange, delivering clearer and freer-sounding highs.
“It’s a subtle, but real and easily discernible difference.”
