The LSA1 Monitors: Standard, Signature and Statement

StereoMojo "...It was impossible to locate an instrument that sounded as if it were being produced by a speaker. What did appear was a huge soundstage that filled the front of the room. Listening to "Tutti!"... the first violin section extended about four feet beyond the left speaker while the second violins and violas did the same on the right.  The other sections were rendered in beautiful layers extending to the wall six feet behind. Most amazing was the sense of height. The brass and percussion were elevated well above the cabinets in perfect scale as they would be on stage. The LSA1s made it seem perfectly plausible that the Minnesota Orchestra or the Czech State Philharmonic were performing a private concert just for me."

"...Just for fun, I pulled out the Sound Dynamics 300ti. This is a much larger speaker that truly is remarkable, though not to the degree hyped by HP. Other than a more extended low end, the LSA1 was superior in every regard. It wasn't even close. The very fine Vienna Acoustics Haydn (review upcoming) was stronger competition. While the Haydn costs about 30% more, the LSA1's were more convincing and lifelike, especially in the low bass and upper frequencies..."

"...All of the above is great so far, but if a speaker cannot convey a male or female vocal convincingly, the rest counts for nothing. The 1s were more than convincing, they were inspiring....These speakers have the innate ability to bypass your ears and grasp your heart, soul or both. One does not "hear" them, one experiences the music. They pull you in and cause you to forget the office, the bills, the noise and clutter of life and transport you to wherever the artists want to take you..."

The Absolute Sound, April/May 2008 - "Finally, on of my favorite discoveries of this year was the LSA Group's Statement monitor ($2500). This attractive speaker features a folded-ribbon tweeter, a 6.25" mid/bass driver, and premium -grade crossover parts. The LSA1 Statement is one of the two best sub-$3000 monitors I've ever heard (the other one is the award-winning Usher Audio Be-718). These speakers sound highly detailed, yet are unfailingly smooth and offer very good bass extension for their size. They also produce enormous 3-D soundstages and easily reveal subtle differences between good/better/best amplifiers." - Chris Martens

AV Guide, 2007 - "I found the LSA group speakers enchanting, an impression reinforced when, during a listening session, an awestruck voice from the back of the room asked, “Do you guys have any idea how big that soundstage seems from back here?" As a matter of fact, I do."

StereoTimes reviews the LSA2 - "...What the LSA2s do provide you with is music reproduction that competes with any speaker up to the $5K range. Of the speakers I have reviewed recently, the Almarro M3As, Nomad Ronins, and the LSA2s, the LSA2s competed more favorably with the Ronins even though the Ronins cost twice as much. Other speakers that I think the LSA2s would compare sonically with include the Joseph Audio RM25 and the Coincident Technology Partial Eclipse..."

Differences between the LSA1 Standard, Signature and Statement loudspeakers

The Standard:

• 6.5" 2 way with treated paper woofer and 1" silk dome tweeter. Useable bass response to 38Hz. Biwireable

The Signature:

• Upgrade crossover caps to Auricaps and resistors to Mills wire wound
• Upgrade internal wiring to SuperKonductor monocrystal cable
• Upgrade acoustic treatments inside cabinet from Dacron to lamb’s wool

The Statement:

• All of the above plus:
• Upgrade tweeter to folded ribbon tweeter
• Add Alpha Core 12 gauge inductor to woofer

From the LSA Web Site:
'Suspension of Disbelief' is a term used to describe the relationship between art and the beholder.

When the beholder - say, a movie-goer - is unhindered by distractions such as performance flaws, plot holes or less-than-convincing acting, the viewer begins to believe that they are experiencing something which is real.

If the performer can create such a setting, the result is an utterly captivated audience for whom time has no meaning.

In audio, we know we have accomplished this when the listener ceases to shift about in their chair, scrutinizing the entire experience. Instead, they relax, close their eyes and forget where they are. They are drawn into the musical experience.

We feel we have accomplished this with the LSA1 Monitors.

The LSA1's offer explosively dynamic musical performance, the likes of which is rare even among the finest monitor speakers.

The silk dome tweeter and treated paper mid-bass driver operate in their optimal ranges, resulting in an unstrained, airy performance that listeners can enjoy for extended sessions.

In the Signature Edition, John Tucker (our VP and Chief Engineer) performs internal modifications by hand. All capacitors and resistors are upgraded and the standard internal wiring is replaced by very high purity monocrystal copper. Increased clarity and openness is immediately apparent.

The LSA1's convey vocals and instruments with the startling realism one might expect from a speaker costing two or three times their price. The effect is an emotionally involving musical experience.

Or, you could call it believable.