Stirling Broadcast / BBC LS3/6

I just bought a pair of Stirling LS3/6 a couple of weeks ago.  I can't compare them to the B&W speakers.  I have Harbeth Super HL5 Plus 40th Anniversary and KEF Reference 1 to compare them to.

I have always found the Super HL5 Plus to have just a bit of a hard edge in the treble with some music.  The midrange is of course amazing and they are very detailed without being overly "hi-fi" sounding.  The Stirlings take that edge off while maintaining the beautiful midrange and are much easier to listen to with all types of music.  I think they are a little more punchy and dynamic than the Harbeths.  Where the Harbeths win is they are a little more coherent.  Both speakers image really well and have a large well defined soundstage.  These two speakers are more alike than different, the differences are nuances.  If you want to rock out, the Stirlings are going to be easier on the ears.  If you like to listen at moderate levels and love detail, then the Harbeths are a better choice.

Compared to the Reference 1s, the Stirlings have more midrange and top-end energy, but are perhaps a little less balanced and detailed.  The Ref 1's are more neutral, a little on the "warm" side.  Both speakers are really easy to listen to and the differences between them are more pronounced.  

If you like the BBC "sound", the Stirlings are fine speakers.  All comments above are in my opinion of course.  Others may hear them differently.  There are a number of reviews on the Stirlings on the web.

thanks! i did read the reviews, hence my interest and desire to hear them. 

I ended up buying Stirling Broadcast LS 3/6. If you are reading this post and you are in New England area, I would not mind demoing it for you. I want to offer the opportunity to others that I did not have. You can find me via audiogon. 

Congratulations on the LS3/6!

I purchased them 2 months ago.  Very fine speaker.

i agree. Do you happen to know how to take the grill off? I have a cat and am afraid that it might damage it. have you tried doing it? thanks in advance,

I just took the grills off mine this afternoon. They are very snug and held on with six pegs. I used a butter knife to gently pry the edges out. You're "supposed" to leave the grills on. They are supposed to tame the top end a bit. I don't notice much, if any difference.  They look better (to me) without the grills and the tweeters have metal grills over them and are well protected. 

thanks. i assume you started at the corners. a butter knife is a good idea. I tried with a credit card but did not get anywhere. 

Near the corners, not in them. Then move a few inches and lift up a little more and so on. Take your time.

big_greg and chrisr, i am having difficulties locating appropriate stands. Resonant Woods which is in my state of NH is moving and will not be able to deliver for three months or so. Which stands do you use? thanks in advance, 

Petar,

I bought my LS3/6 pre-owned and they came with the stands.  There's no branding on them, so I'm not sure who made them.

I suggest reaching out to Gig Harbor Audio.  They will make custom stands.  That's where I got the stands for my Harbeths. 

Any stands made for Harbeth Super HL5 Plus should work, but there's a slight difference in size so they won't be the exact same dimensions as the base of the speakers.  I think the Stirlings are a hair smaller, but don't quote me on that, it might be the other way around. 

 

I recommend Skylan stands custom made to your dimensions.  I use Skylan stands for my LS3/6 and my Harbeth M40.1s.  Fill the legs about 2/3 full with rice, not lead shot or kitty litter.

Another recommendation is to measure the height of your ears while seated in your listening position.  Make the stands height such that the tweeter (not the super tweeter) in the LS3/6 on the stand is the same height as your ears.  This is the recommendation that I received from Doug Sterling.

You can also use the wharfedale Linton stands...perfect match, dimension wise and finish (walnut in my case).