Graham Audio LS5/8S Monitor Loudspeaker

Graham LS5/8S Enhances Performance Through Advanced Acoustic Engineering

Graham LS5/8S is a high-fidelity, two-way monitor loudspeaker system engineered for discerning listeners who demand studio-grade accuracy in home listening environments. As a reimagined version of the original BBC LS5/8, the Graham Audio LS5/8S integrates targeted enhancements to deliver more nuanced tonal balance, smoother off-axis response, and extended treble clarity—while preserving the sonic signature that made its predecessor a reference in professional broadcast and mastering studios.

LS5/8S Incorporates Slot-Loaded Bass for Smoother Off-Axis Response

Graham LS5/8S uses a diffraction slot in front of the bass driver to enhance horizontal dispersion and reduce off-axis anomalies. This acoustic feature—originally proposed in BBC Research Department prototypes but omitted from commercial LS5/8 models—returns in this updated version. Adapted from the successful LS5/5 design, the slot-loaded bass driver allows the LS5/8S to maintain a more coherent soundstage in reflective, untreated environments such as domestic living rooms.

By integrating this proven approach, the LS5/8S achieves better spatial uniformity and tonal consistency, especially outside the central listening position—ideal for real-world spaces where acoustics are less than perfect. Whether placed near sidewalls or in open-plan setups, these monitors maintain focus and neutrality across a wide listening arc.

LS5/8S Features SEAS Tweeter for Refined High-Frequency Performance

Graham LS5/8S replaces the legacy Audax tweeter with a custom-tuned SEAS 34mm soft dome tweeter—an upgrade derived from Graham's flagship VOTU series and professional studio models. This tweeter provides improved transient accuracy and greater linearity in the critical upper midrange and lower treble regions—just above the crossover point where tweeter integration is most challenging.

The result is a cleaner, more integrated top-end with subtle articulation and airiness, particularly noticeable in vocals, string harmonics, and cymbal decay. This refined treble complements the smoother tonal transition introduced by the revised bass driver and diffraction slot, ensuring the LS5/8S delivers a coherent, full-range response that translates across multiple genres and recording styles.

LS5/8S Utilises Thin-Wall Birch Ply Cabinetry with Real Wood Veneer

Graham LS5/8S incorporates BBC thin-wall construction using critically damped birch plywood panels—an established technique that reduces cabinet coloration while preserving musicality. Each enclosure is hand-finished in real wood veneer, enhancing both acoustic behaviour and aesthetic appeal. Options like teak and bespoke sprayed finishes cater to both audiophile sensibilities and interior design requirements, making these loudspeakers as visually striking as they are acoustically transparent.

With a substantial 34kg weight and rigid enclosure structure, the LS5/8S offers a robust, low-resonance platform for its premium drivers while maintaining the traditional form factor of large-format British monitors.

LS5/8S Delivers High Output, Wide Bandwidth and Controlled Sensitivity

Graham LS5/8S offers a frequency response from 40Hz to 18kHz (±3dB), ensuring full-range reproduction with solid bass extension and natural treble roll-off. Its 300mm Diaphnatone polypropylene bass/midrange driver maintains coherence across the vocal range and upper bass, while the 38mm soft dome tweeter (Seas variant) handles highs with precision and grace.

A nominal impedance of 8Ω and sensitivity of 89dB SPL (2.83V, 1m) make the LS5/8S a practical match for high-quality solid-state or valve amplifiers rated between 50 and 250 watts (unclipped programme). Capable of exceeding 110dB SPL as a stereo pair at 2 metres, these monitors combine analytical detail with the power handling required for dynamic, large-scale recordings.

LS5/8S Combines BBC Heritage with Modern Precision

Graham LS5/8S continues the BBC legacy with a performance package tailored for today’s audiophile. While preserving the reference neutrality and wide-band clarity of the original LS5/8, it introduces meaningful updates to meet the demands of contemporary music reproduction and domestic listening conditions. The integration of the slot-loaded bass architecture and SEAS high-frequency driver demonstrates Graham Audio’s dedication to evolution without compromise.

Stand not included. Finish options such as teak or custom spray available upon request. Lead times vary based on finish selection.