Floorstanding loudspeakers — Graham Audio LS8/1F

The LS8/1F is the floorstanding version of the LS8/1 monitor from Graham Audio, a UK maker whose loudspeakers draw on BBC design work. It is one of the more recent designs by engineer Derek Hughes, and it keeps the three-way layout and driver complement of the stand-mounted LS8/1 while giving the bass section more internal volume. Pricing in Europe runs from about EUR 7,700 to EUR 8,400 per pair depending on veneer, in the UK from GBP 5,952 to GBP 7,395, and in the US a pair lists at USD 8,499.

Key specs that matter

The LS8/1F works as a ported three-way design. A 200 mm Diaphnatone polypropylene cone handles bass and midrange, a 26 mm soft dome tweeter takes over at 3.5 kHz, and a 19 mm soft dome supertweeter joins at 14 kHz. Graham quotes a response of 40 Hz to 20 kHz within 3 dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohm and a sensitivity of 87 dB SPL for 2.83 V at 1 m. Maximum output is given as more than 100 dB for a pair measured at 2 m, while Graham suggests amplifiers of 50 to 200 W. Each cabinet measures 26 cm wide, 100 cm tall and 28 cm deep and weighs 23 kg.

Engineering and use context

Rather than simply stretching the monitor enclosure, Graham places an acoustic chamber directly beneath the main driver cabinet. This lets the design use a larger port, and the company states that the arrangement adds a further 5 Hz of bass extension compared with the LS8/1 standmount. The enclosure follows the thin-wall, damped construction associated with BBC practice, in which the panels are allowed to flex in a controlled way instead of being made as stiff as possible. Using a single large polypropylene cone across the bass and midrange keeps the lower crossover point above the region where most voices and instruments carry their fundamentals. The second, smaller dome is there to maintain dispersion at the top of the band. Finishes include Black Ash, Cherry, Oak and Walnut veneers, with Rosewood and Ebony also listed, and the speaker carries a five-year warranty. Graham describes the design as an all-rounder for material from classical to contemporary, and it is suited to medium and larger rooms.

Pairing

The nominal load and moderate sensitivity suit the majority of transistor integrated amplifiers as well as valve designs of moderate power, provided the output sits within the suggested window. Amplifiers well below its lower limit will limit the achievable level in larger spaces.

Alternatives

Graham Audio also makes the LS5/9F, a floorstanding derivative of its LS5/9 monitor.