Rogers LS55

Rogers LS55-ST - A minimalist review.

Has I mentioned in past posts, the only thing i was not pleased with this speakers was the wood composites of the original Rogers LS55 loudspeakers so I have made I few changes :
-I made a new sealed boxes ( the originals were bass reflex ) cabinets in MDF 19mm, doubled the volume of the cabinets, and put new wires – from crossovers to the drivers – from Qed Qudos.

The first impressions were only a slightly increase in mid-low frequencies and a soundstage with more depth.

The final impressions using the same setup ( with only a small change , i put another power cable - Supra Lo-Rad power cable ) in the Cyrus amp, after almost a week listen are :
- First of all this New Rogers are a very honest speakers. It means that if you give garbage in, you get garbage out. No added flavourings or artificial ingredients.
The overall sound become more spacious, dynamic and harmonically more neutral – without that little "boxy" ( in some low frequencies ) sound of the previous cabinets – and above all, transparency.

Too many "audiophiles" confuse electronically generated low frequencies from Fender bass and synthesizers with the lighter, more transparent characteristics of the lower strings in the symphony orchestra. Really deep, impact bass, however such as that produced by organ pipes, symphonic bass drum and various electronic music instruments – in some Bjork music, for an example – is reproduced with more weight and pitch trough this new set of speakers than before.

I must mention also that transient impact, dynamic range – particularly in the low ends – and ( surprisingly) harmonic integrity all benefit from this cabinets mods. and new wires.

Last conclusions :

The rhythm of music is conveyed well on this new Rogers. The bass did not lag behind the beat. Music is articulate extremely well, making it easy to follow the "tune".
Voice are reproduced with rich timbre natural dimension and uncanny presence .
Chet Baker's voice ( a difficult instrument to capture well, especially when miked as closely as this ) on Let's Get Lost , lost the colorations i've heard on other speakers. The poignant nature of his voice was achingly conveyed. The new Rogers passed the " Chet Test" with flying colours. Which made me extremely happy .

Last note about loudspeakers in general :

IMHO a speaker must have more than good bass and soundstaging ability to be taken seriously. It must create the illusion in the listener that he is experiencing a real event. Music's texture however varied, must be captured so that emotions are aroused and imagination stimulated. The rhythm of music, however subtle, must be felt to affirm its vital, organic nature. Music's dynamics, however complex, must be articulated to awaken and stir the soul.
If a loudspeaker fails to communicate these qualities ( describe by others with many words or different ways ) it has lessened its capacity to involve the listener and diminished its attractiveness to a more serious music lover or sound thinker.

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Very nice write-up, Alvaro.

I´m glad your rather risky experience ( well not that risky, since you kept the original cabinets ) worked out so well, with such good sonic results, as well as looking great too.

Jorge

Alvaro,

I´d really like to hear your opinion of the LS-55ST´s with large scale Orchestral pieces.

I know it ain´t exactly your piece of cake, but will you do me that favour?

Jorge

Hmm, cool looking cabinets.
I see no cardboard though



Richard.

Richard,

For a guy with such eccletic tastes in music ( I think Alvaro is, by far, the most ecclectic among us ) he is rather conservative regarding his gear.

He does love Vespas, though, which also shows his eccentric side.

He has a Portuguese wife and son, which makes him kinda family to me, but he likes to call me " You Dog " in public. I just don´t know what to make out of him.

Jorge

Hi Jorge.
Surely medium density fibreboard is a form of cardboard ?
They are British speakers you know !
Always posted with a smile.



Richard.

Hi there Richard,

Come to think of it, MDf, is a cardboard of sorts.

So, take a look at the cardbox speakers I built myself a few years ago:



These are still my main speakers.

Cardboard rules.

Jorge

Hi Jorge.
and on the right?
excellent looking setup, how does it sound with early rock instro,s (think Duane Eddy & the Shadows around '59-'61)
Love the t/table in particular.
A rundown of your setup would be cool if you have the time.



Richard.

No sweat, Richard, glad to abide.

Just check this thread in the forum members are supposed to post their rigs:

http://www.sound-thinking.org/index.php?showtopic=33

Tanx guys for the input.
From this past few days i have some comp. problems, i think my hard drive are close to the end, or is it the motherboard, or the memories...?! 'til this moment i can't figure out what's the problem really is...

Jorge, about grand orchestras with this speakers, the only big bands i had listen 'til today were, Duke Wellington, the Dancer In The Dark - A film with Bjork - and An incredible rock'n'roll big band with Brian Setzer on guitar.
...and what can i say more about this beautiful Rogers sound...
They produce stunning music, effortlessly. They love the piano notes and drum snares - don't ask me why but when the piano comes around you feel it in your living room, and because of the big detail, horns and and violins and even that oboé playng behind of that big wall of sound, is there. Mainly because they have one of the faster tweeters i have heard.
Bellow the 30 Hz - 35 Hz you need a sub to create more integrety and impact in soundstage. But, who needs music with such a low end... maybe rappers....

Very nice, Alvaro. The Rogers look like they turned out quite well and I'm glad to learn that they're sounding great.

However, with DIY projects, you can never do just one. What's next?

Really like the -ST suffix.

- JP

Those speakers are sweet Alvaro! Your craftsmanship is impressive.

Tanx once again guys.
My next project will be a sub-woofer, because i have a beautiful tube mono amp from Theta and it's a shame for me not to use it.I will try first to find some good used bass driver.

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Looks good Alvaro!

Nice job, one tweak you might want to try is to add some felt or foam rubber around the tweets primarily because you are going to get some noticeable diffraction effects as is. Should be cheap and may help a bit.

Tanx dnewma04,
sure i'll try that tomorrow and see, i mean listen, to what happens.