Intro
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Derk Hughes of Graham Audio has created a floor-standing version next to the LS8/1 3-way monitor. The additional cabinet space in the thin-walled enclosure is used for a front mounted bass port and adds more body to the sound. In use, how do these speakers sound?
The setup of the 3-way is the same as the monitor and we would like to refer to the review. The bass of these speakers is clearly present and tangible, without sounding ‘bass heavy’.
Placing the Graham Audio LS8/1F
The speakers are easy to place, they are not very picky for precise alignment. The bass port at the front dampens direct feedback from rear walls and side walls compared to a port at the rear, but bass frequencies are omnidirectional and placement in a corner can quickly lead to overpowering bass. Some distance from walls is recommended, as with any speaker with a bass port.
The Graham Audio LS8/1F speakers have a very generous and encompassing soundstage. Toeing in slightly creates more focus in the soundstage. How much is taste, but they do not like extreme toe in, then you lose the spaciousness of the stereo image.
What is the character of the Graham Audio LS8/1F?
The speakers do not sound warm, but neither are they completely neutral. They are even slightly on the undercooled side in terms of tonal colour, but certainly not in terms in how the music feels. This is mainly due to the clear highs. The setup of this speaker features two tweeters, with the first crossover at 3.5kHz and the second at 14kHz. The woofer therefore accounts for much of the sound spectrum, including most of the sound of acoustic instruments and the human voice. The result is a very easy to follow reproduction of any music you play. ‘Effortlessly sounding’, if I have to summarise it.
The Graham Audio LS8/1F speakers play clearly forward, literally. It is as if you can touch the soundstage. Despite the music’s clear presence, the speakers are far from obtrusive.
Thanks for the review. I currently have a pair of Graham’s LS 5/9 and love the (midrange) sound for jazz, vocals, acoustic, etc. The LS5/9 is not very forgiving imo when the source is of average recording quality. I find they also struggle with other music genres (rock, funky, hiphop,…). So, I wonder if I should upgrade to the LS8/1f for a more forgiving and/or better all-round sound? Also, how do the LS8/1 floorstanders compare to the LS 8/1 stand-mounted loudspeakers? Thanks!
Hi Jan. I haven’t heard the monitors and the floor stander side by side, so I cannot comment on differences.
They are quite different from the ‘BBC models’ in sound, but not so much forgiving. The emphasis in the midrange, the vocal range of frequencies, is where you will notice the different characteristics.
I recommend an audition at home. Depending on your room size, either the monitor or the floor stander will be the better choice. The floor stander is big in physical size, but the sound is also ‘meaty’. If the room is too small, the sound won’t breath. A good dealer can help you out here.
You can send Hexagon, the importer, a mail if you like to get some advice. He’s an approachable man and will help you out.
Many thanks for your reply Martijn