The presence of yet another “super” LS3/5a in the Falcon Acoustics room might have over-shadowed the system that was playing, which included more of the new Falcon M Series line of loudspeakers. A few months ago I reviewed the Falcon Acoustics M10 speakers ($2,150/pr), the smallest in the M Series, and I found them to be a more linear version of the classic LS3/5a with just a touch more bass. In fact, they were a nominee for 2023 Best Value of the Year.
Words and Photos by Marc Phillips
At the 2024 Florida International Audio Expo, Falcon Acoustics–headed up as usual by Jerry Bloomfield–set up a system that included the M30s, the middle of the Falcon M Series. I was hanging out with Walter Swanbon of Fidelis, who imports Harbeth, and he pointed out that the M30s look like the Super HL5, which is sort of the deal with BBC-designed speakers. You take a basic BBC design and, once you’ve met the design standards, you can add your own secret ingredients.
The Falcon M Series system was augmented by yet another VPI 40th Anniversary Direct Drive turntable, along with Audio Research electronics, and it sounded properly refined with plenty of high-frequency extension. But those tiny little LS3/5as in the foyer beckoned to me, telepathically communicating that they were another special version of this classic BBC monitor and I needed to take a listen or else my life as an audiophile wouldn’t be complete.
I asked Jerry Bloomfield if they were another release of the now legendary Kingswood Warren LS3/5as. Only 50 pairs were made of those, and they were sold out by the time I found out about them. “I think these are better than the Kingswood Warren,” Jerry said. In other words, they took the Kingswood Warren a little further, and placed a badge on the spectacularly timeless grille that merely says “Falcon 2024.” They cost $10,000/pair–slightly more than the Falcon M Series–and once again they have limited production to 50 pairs. At 2024, Falcon announced they had already sold half of them.
One of these days I’ll make the effort to stay updated about these special LS3/5a releases, especially since the Silver Badge is now out of stock. I’ll put my name on a list, put up a deposit, wait for months–whatever. While I do have the extraordinary Falcon M Series to choose from at my leisure, owning something like the Falcon 2024 LS3/5a would be a highlight of my life as an audiophile.
Now that MoFi is no longer the U.S. distributer, who is distributing the Falcon LS3/5a’s in the U.S.? Additionally, is the regular Gold Label Ls3/5a still in production? Thank you for your time…