ifi audio Retro LS3.5

Retro LS3.5

Looking for a classy speaker set-up for your hi-fi?

The elegance of the iFi LS3.5‘s speaks volumes. Set-up, sit-down and relax.

Ideal companions

Our LS3.5 bookshelf speakers make ideal companions for any set-up.

And with their matching bamboo cabinet and design inspired by the classic LS3/5A monitors made famous by the BBC – they certainly look the business with the Retro Stereo 50.

ifi audio Retro LS3.5

Organic audio

The LS3.5 speakers are made from bamboo, not just because it gives them a timeless elegance, but also because organic products rock. Literally!

Bamboo removes distortion and is a natural sound absorber. The LS3.5s produce a cleaner, more natural sound.

Pure sound

The classy look of the LS3.5s is complemented with some natural internal additions.

We’ve added a silk dome tweeter and a paper cone driver to bring you pure sound.

And the LS3.5s are time-aligned to ensure the sound waves from each speaker reach your ears at the same time.

ifi audio Retro LS3.5

Sonics and sustainability.

Developed in-house, the LS3.5 has a deep, wide and open sonic signature with spine-tingling tonality, that we know you’ll love.

Retailer

Apos Inc.

California
Distributor

iFi audio USA (West Coast)

California
Retailer

ListenUp

Colorado
Retailer

ListenUp

Colorado
Retailer

ListenUp

Colorado
Retailer

Music Direct

Illinois
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Audio Advisor

Michigan
Retailer

Bloom Audio

New Jersey
Retailer

High Definition Tape Transfers

New Jersey
Retailer

ListenUp

New Mexico
Retailer

Turntable Lab NY Storefront

New York
Retailer

Audio 46

New York
Retailer

Moon Audio

North Carolina
Retailer

AudioAdvice

North Carolina
Retailer

AudioAdvice

North Carolina
Retailer

Headphones.com

Oregon
Retailer

World Wide Stereo

Pennsylvania
Retailer

World Wide Stereo

Pennsylvania
Retailer

HIDEF Lifestyle

Pennsylvania
Distributor

iFi audio USA (East Coast)

Virginia
Retailer

USA-Audio Exchange

Virginia
Sensitivity90dB/2.83V/1m
Freq response60Hz – 20KHz
Drivers4.5″ (115mm) Paper Cone Wideband Driver
1.1″ (28mm) Silk Dome Tweeter
Crossover10KHz acoustic crossover
no electrical crossover on Wideband Driver
Frst Order High-Pass on Tweeter
Enclosure PrincipleTransmission-Line port
Solid Bamboo Enclosure
Acoustic Active Tuning with minimal damping
Size146 x 268 x 226mm (W x H x D)

Retro LS3/5 review

I would like to share my findings about the most underappreciated product in your line LS3/5 . You might ask why I say that, well those amazing speakers are tucked in along the great Retro 50 and that is great piece of equipment but the review from Tone audio on your page praises the Retro 50 but it’s not necessarily putting ls3/5 speakers in greatest light.

I was aware of this legendary BBC design and read some great reviews of various companies who took it upon themselves to bring those speakers to life .

I was very intrigued and obviously had the chance to hear some big boys like Harbeth and their own take on this legendary design. The sound with right audio equipment was gorgeous but during Shanghai show I had a chance to hear small local brands and their take on ls3/5a design. To my surprise paired with quite expensive tube amplifier ($6000 USA dollars ) they sounded exquisite.

I wrote to my friends at iFi audio and they were so kind to send me their own take on this legendary design.

iFi audio’s approach is bit different, their ls3/5a are more of 21st century update of this design than classic design of ls3/5a.

Let me tell you iFi audio know few things on building speakers, let’s not forget that they belong to AMR audio family and they have their amazing ls77 speakers.

iFi audio’s version of ls3/5a is a fully in-house design from top to bottom it allows to control every aspens of a speaker design. And this shows.

These beauties might be small in stature but are big on sound.

Personally, I think they are look gorgeous in person with solid build and thick cabinet truly timeless look.

Drivers are designed in house to required specifications and same goes for crossovers or lack of it. Yes, mid driver has no crossover so to speak its acoustically tuned and tweeter is first order design means only one element in a circuit beautiful simplicity. Speakers are also transmission line design and organic damping material is used. All that adds up to truly spectacular sounding speaker regardless of price. Yes, they’re just fantastic speakers no question about it and lets not forget drivers are time aligned so it will sound as point source type speaker.

Listen to many systems and sometimes even expensive set ups are underwhelming it takes a lot of work.

A lot of people want do what I did – put iFi audio ls3/5a in a different system than the Retro50 and let me tell you those little babies sound sublime in my set up.

Now my set up consists of hind dual mono preamplifier From Kinki studio exp7(review pending from 6moon audio) , Audio gd  nfb7 big DAC powered by matrix audio i2s cdmi connection filtered by igalvanic3.0 (another stellar product will mention at the end ) and of course Audio GD precise 3 amplifier soon to be accompanied by second unit in dual mono configuration .

THIS system is very transparent to the point that I had to rethink all cabling and test all one by one. Everything matters in audio. LS3/5A by iFi audio elevated my system to another level of natural uncoloured  sound truly involving and hiend all the way. Sound stage is extending way beyond speakers in all directions projecting holographic immersive sound were voices are exceptional and natural.

Listening to Dire Straits MQA cd sound is unbelievable.  I listen to systems double/triple the price and they were less impressive. Now I have to mention that I use ls3/5a with powered sub-woofer and I would always suggest use this way as it compliments the sound greatly. Not only because of the lower frequency extension, but because of how your brain processes the sound it hears. Lower frequencies help the brain to analyse the whole spectrum of sound it hears. Same goes for higher frequencies I also experimented with super sweater and they enhance sound but with ls3/5a its not necessary as top end is extended and articulated. They are truly iFi audio’s hidden gem. For us urban dwellers with mid size apartments, those little beauties along with good sub-woofer they will rock your world. Just listen to the Dark Knight Rises soundtrack to understand what I mean.

No need for massive towers to shake you house and did I mention holographic sound stage? Take care when choosing you components and you will be greatly rewarded. With those speakers, iFi audio delivers on its promises and give us the 21st century take on classic ls3/5a and I have to thank them for it.

Enjoy the music

TOM

(Click name to read original review)

Cubic Cornucopias! So few boxes, so much sound

Regardless of speakers used from the $88,000/pair Dynaudio Evidence Platinums all the way down to my JBL L-100s, the extended high end and LF control is surprisingly good. ……..Like every other iFi product we’ve used or reviewed, the Retro 50 screams high performance and high value – more than worthy of one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2015. Whether you use the speakers or give them to a friend, the Retro 50 is one of the greatest combinations in the audiophile world today. I can’t think of a better place to start your high end audio journey.

Tone Audio and Jeff Dorgay

(Click name to read original review)

Germany’s prestigious AUDIO magazine rates Retro as Reference Class

We must admit, this one took us by surprise. AUDIO test thoroughly and are one of the major authorities for comparative reviewing in Germany. In the history of AUDIO, the Retro is the first ‘realistically priced component’ to ever be awarded ‘Reference Class’. Jeremy Clarkson got nuffin on this reviewer, Stefan Schickedanz. The following is a translation of the most salient aspects from the review.

Test, tube complete system (summary)

Not only for Hipsters: For looks, the charming system from iFi could have come straight from the middle of the last century, but it is packed chock full with technology of our current Millennium.

AUDIO magazine

(Click name to read original review)