Graham Audio LS8/1 Monitor Loudspeakers: A Modern Take on a Classic Design
The Graham Audio LS8/1 Monitor Loudspeakers is a refined update of the classic 8-inch bass driver design housed in a 2 cubic foot box. This design format, familiar to hi-fi enthusiasts and professionals alike, has its roots in the BBC’s legendary LS3/6, developed by Spencer Hughes, and further evolved by his son, Derek Hughes. The LS8/1 brings modern advancements in power handling, driver technology, and cabinet construction to this iconic loudspeaker format, delivering an authoritative, transparent sound that excels across all genres of music.
8-Inch Bass Driver for Rich, Accurate Low Frequencies
At the heart of the LS8/1 is a 200mm (8-inch) bass driver that builds on decades of development and innovation. This modern iteration utilises high-temperature motor materials, enabling greater power handling and improved reliability, overcoming the limitations of earlier designs. The bass driver’s lightweight polypropylene diaphragm ensures low colouration, allowing the speaker to reproduce bass with both depth and precision.
With a frequency response that extends down to 45Hz, the LS8/1 delivers a robust low-end performance that is perfectly suited for both domestic listening environments and professional studio use. This bass extension is further enhanced by the reflex loading design, which provides additional weight and impact in the lower registers without compromising midrange clarity.
Three-Way System with Soft-Dome Tweeter and Super Tweeter
The LS8/1 is a three-way system designed to provide seamless integration across the frequency spectrum. The speaker’s 26mm soft-dome tweeter is finely tuned to reproduce high frequencies with clarity and smoothness, avoiding the harshness sometimes associated with lesser designs. Above 14kHz, a 19mm super tweeter takes over, extending the response up to 20kHz, ensuring that even the finest details in the treble range are captured with precision.
Both the tweeter and super tweeter are equipped with protective metal grilles, safeguarding the delicate soft-dome diaphragms while allowing sound to flow unimpeded. The result is a detailed, natural top-end that complements the speaker’s midrange and bass performance.
Adjustable High-Frequency Level for Room Tuning
To enhance its versatility, the LS8/1 includes a high-frequency level adjustment on the front panel, allowing listeners to fine-tune the tweeter output to suit the room’s acoustics. Whether in a room with reflective surfaces or one with absorbent furnishings, the LS8/1 can be adjusted to ensure optimal clarity and balance. This subtle tweeter adjustment (achieved via a discrete switch) helps to address acoustic challenges and ensures that the speaker remains neutral and transparent regardless of the environment.
BBC Thin-Wall Construction for Authentic Sound
As with all of Graham Audio’s BBC-derived designs, the LS8/1 utilises thin-wall construction, made from 9mm birch plywood. This approach helps minimise unwanted colouration by allowing the cabinet to resonate in a controlled manner. The front and rear panels of the cabinet are screwed rather than glued, a detail borrowed from the original LS3/6 design. This method of construction helps decouple the panels, reducing cabinet vibrations and enhancing clarity and detail across the midrange.
Internally, the thin-wall cabinet is damped with Rockwool, a material chosen for its superior ability to absorb internal reflections and prevent standing waves. The entire structure is finished with hand-selected real wood veneers, ensuring a premium look and feel, while the grille is easily removable, held in place by concealed magnets to preserve the speaker’s clean aesthetic.
Balanced Performance with Wide Amplifier Compatibility
Despite its compact dimensions of 30cm wide, 63.5cm high, and 30cm deep, the LS8/1 delivers impressive output, capable of reaching over 100dB for a pair at 2 metres. With a nominal impedance of 8Ω and a sensitivity rating of 87dB SPL (2.83V, 1m), the LS8/1 is well-suited to a wide range of amplifiers. Graham Audio recommends amplifier power between 50 and 250 watts, giving listeners plenty of flexibility in driving the speakers to their full potential without distortion.
Refined Crossover Design for Seamless Integration
The crossover points at 3.5kHz and 14kHz ensure that the bass/midrange driver, tweeter, and super tweeter work together harmoniously. The crossover network has been designed to optimise the phase alignment and tonal balance, ensuring a seamless transition between drivers. This sophisticated design allows the LS8/1 to deliver an expansive soundstage with excellent imaging and resolution, whether you’re listening to complex orchestral works or simple acoustic recordings.
Iconic Design with Modern Refinements
The Graham Audio LS8/1 combines the rich heritage of the BBC’s monitor design philosophy with modern engineering techniques. By incorporating advanced driver technology, adjustable high frequencies, and superior cabinet construction, the LS8/1 provides a balanced, natural sound that is both authoritative in the bass and transparent in the midrange and treble.
This loudspeaker is ideal for those seeking studio monitor neutrality in a speaker that also excels in a domestic setting. With its handcrafted build, modern features, and classic tonal balance, the LS8/1 offers an unparalleled listening experience for audiophiles and professionals alike.
