Graham Audio Chartwell LS6 Monitor Loudspeakers

Chartwell LS6 Passive Monitor Loudspeakers: A Balanced Fusion of Classic and Modern Sound

The Chartwell LS6 Passive Monitor Loudspeakers by Graham Audio offer a perfect blend of the BBC’s iconic design principles with modern audio engineering. Positioned between the smaller LS3/5 and the larger LS5/9, the LS6 provides a compelling combination of compact design and extended bass response. Designed by Derek Hughes, this speaker brings the warmth, clarity, and nuanced performance characteristic of Graham Audio’s BBC-inspired monitors, while also offering greater power handling and bass extension than its smaller counterparts.

Extended Bass Response in a Compact Package

The Chartwell LS6 achieves a remarkable low-end response, comparable to larger models, thanks to its custom-designed 6-inch long-throw bass driver. Paired with a 17-liter cabinet, the LS6 delivers impressive bass extension down to 45Hz, making it suitable for a wide variety of music genres. A rear-mounted port ensures smooth, effortless bass performance, while keeping the cabinet size compact enough to fit into most home environments seamlessly.

Despite its modest dimensions, the LS6 can fill a room with sound, offering a maximum output of over 100dB for a pair at 2 meters. This level of performance makes it a versatile option for both nearfield monitoring and general home listening, delivering power without sacrificing detail.

Precise Midrange and Highs with Tweeter Adjustment

The 19mm dome tweeter in the LS6 extends beyond 20kHz, ensuring crystal-clear highs that complement its smooth midrange. Graham Audio has taken great care in integrating the bass/midrange and tweeter units with a sophisticated passive crossover network. This ensures the sound remains coherent and natural across the frequency spectrum.

For added versatility, a front baffle switch allows users to adjust the tweeter level by +1dB or +2dB, which can be useful in situations where the listening position is off-axis. This adjustment ensures that the LS6 maintains its smooth tonal balance, whether placed in free space or near walls.

Classic BBC Thin-Wall Construction with Modern Refinements

At the heart of the LS6's design is the BBC’s classic thin-wall construction, a hallmark of many Graham Audio speakers. The 12mm birch plywood panels are carefully mass-loaded to control cabinet resonance, moving it away from the critical midrange frequencies. This allows the speaker to reproduce a pure and uncoloured midrange, perfect for capturing the subtle textures of vocals and instruments. Inside the cabinet, Rockwool damping is used to control airflow and resonance, enhancing the overall clarity of the sound.

The speaker’s exterior is finished in real wood veneer, meticulously hand-matched to ensure a premium, aesthetically pleasing finish. Additionally, the grille is designed to minimize diffraction and is held in place by concealed rare-earth magnets, maintaining the speaker’s clean, elegant lines.

A Soundstage that Engages and Immerses

The Chartwell LS6 is praised for its ability to immerse listeners with its expansive soundstage and precise imaging. According to reviews, the LS6 presents an almost holographic stereo image, placing performers clearly within a large acoustic space. Vocals are delivered with warmth and intimacy, while the overall sound remains detailed and engaging, making these speakers particularly adept at conveying the emotion and nuance in music.

This speaker's ability to balance dynamic range with control means it can handle a wide variety of genres, from the most delicate acoustic recordings to more bass-heavy modern productions. Its midrange, in particular, shines through with voices and instruments rendered with a realism that reviewers describe as “uncannily realistic”.

Conclusion: Compact Power with a BBC Legacy

The Graham Audio Chartwell LS6 Passive Monitor Loudspeakers offer an exceptional combination of bass depth, midrange clarity, and high-frequency precision, all packaged within a compact, elegantly designed cabinet. Whether used for critical nearfield monitoring or as a versatile home speaker system, the LS6 excels in delivering a performance that engages the listener without coloration. With its heritage rooted in the BBC’s thin-wall design and modern refinements in driver and crossover technology, the LS6 is a perfect choice for those seeking a balance of classic sound and modern capability.