First Impressions of Graham Audio's LS3/1 Loudspeakers

Courtesy of Ron Ploeger of Callas-Audio® Netherlands

May 2025

Dear Graham Team,

It was with pleasure and excitement to unpack the new LS3.1  Quite a surprise to put it mildly.  First issued in 1959…  Words like polarizing, provoking come up. But also intriguing, and surely Out of the ordinary.. After some 4 days of listening, and putting it on signal 24/7 the Musical message is clear to me: who ever designed this ( and surely considering 1959 ) was a genius. Like I put it in a first reply to Marco; Resistance is Futile.  Whatever one may think about the LS3.1, those thoughts clear like a morning fog in the sunshine after some listening.  And what a brilliant move to revoke the LS3.1 

The closed cabinet is a great success, the Bass is tight, expressive, and like it so much. There is a strong coaxial experience not unlike a Tannoy. ( maybe not quite like it, but close ) The presentation is of one Cloth. The whole upper mid and highs are expressive, open, and have air. Love the SB Acoustics tweeter 🥰  Then there is the obvious but important 15 Inch which covers the whole human voice spectrum. I am of the humble opinion that every X-Over point between 100 > 1000 Hz preferably to be avoided.  Once again the new LS3.1 ticks the box. The mid range is good, but have the impression it may need to blossom out further, and open up in that region. Hey only 4 days of play..

The size is quite big at the front, but it is about 50% depth compared to the huge LS5/8. This will suit more situations where the (ported) LS5/8 is not considered, or even rejected. A closed cabinet has more room flexibility so to speak. The only ‘negative’ I can come up with has to do with the rather unconventional looks. It will divide opinion, a strong Yes or No, no in between.  Obviously not for the hifi mainstream, but that was clear from the very start. Even within the vintage lovers group, it will  divide opinions. 

But that is all merely talk. The LS3.1 makes me want to sit down, and play records again and again. The LS3.1 hits my soul. And it has not do do with being perfect, or pretending. It is not about that.  For me it has not to do with reliving the past, or serving a subculture movement. Surely a bit rebellious, but not in a punk way.   

The Graham LS3.1 sounds mature, solid, well thought out, right away. It sounds like MUSIC. 

A sincere thank you for team efforts.  This one is special.  Very special.  Yes, it is a Love affair.          

There is however one Big problem with the LS3.1;  It is Too Good!