LSA2 Tower-based 5.1-Channel Surround Speaker System (TPV 93)

Expectations Exceeded

OVERVIEW

Consider this system if: you like the idea of an attractively finished, relatively conventional looking speaker system, but one whose sound is very special. Compared to most systems its general size and price the LSA2 Tower-based system sounds smoother, more evenly (and neutrally) balanced from top to bottom, more nuanced and refined, and offers exceptionally good imaging and 3D soundstaging. Dynamics are a strong point, too. Apart from imaging/soundstaging, which is remarkably good, no one area of the LSA system’s performance will necessarily jump out at you as being extraordinary. Rather, it is the overall balance and integration of sonic elements that sets the LSA system so apart

Look further if: You are, at heart, what wine enthusiasts might call a “label drinker” (that is, a person more wowed by seeing a prestigious name on the label of the bottle than by the actual taste or bouquet of the wine within). LSA isn’t particularly well known (yet), so throwing the name around won’t win you many “style points” among those impressed by such things. But trust us on this: the sound of the LSA rig will give more than ample proof of your discerning taste and good judgment.

Ratings (relative to comparably-priced surround speaker systems)
Transparency and Focus: 9
Imaging and Soundstaging: 10
Tonal Balance: 9
Dynamics: 9
Value: 9

FEATURES

LSA2 Tower highlights:

• 1-inch silk dome tweeter.
• 6 ¼-inch treated paper cone mid bass driver.
• 6 ¼-inch treated paper cone woofer.
• 1-inch dome tweeter (response range limited to 8kHz – 20kHz), used as a rear-firing ambience driver.
• 2 ½-way design with crossover frequencies of 400 Hz and 3 kHz.
• Bass reflex enclosure feature curved sidewalls and is offered in black ash or rosewood veneer finishes (The Perfect Vision review samples are in rosewood, and finish quality was impeccable).
• Comes fitted with dual speaker binding posts for bi-wiring, and with jumpers for those who prefer (or require) single-wiring capabilities.
• Include high-quality floor spikes.

LSA LCR Monitor highlights:

• Uses same 1-inch silk dome tweeter and two of the same 6 ¼-inch mid-bass drivers as found in the LSA2 Tower, configured as a D’Appolito array in the LCR Monitor. Voicing is precisely matched to the LCR2 Tower (and also to the LSA1 Monitor speaker).
• 2-way design with crossover frequency of 3 kHz.
• Bass reflex enclosure feature curved sidewalls and is offered in black ash or rosewood veneer finishes.
• Comes fitted with dual speaker binding posts for bi-wiring, and with jumpers for those who prefer (or require) single-wiring capabilities.
• Comes with cleverly designed mounting cradle whose top surface curvature matches the curved sidewalls of the LCR enclosure. The curvature also allows the LCR enclosure to be angled upward or downward precisely so that drivers aim directly at the listener.

LSA1OW On-Wall Monitor highlights:

• Uses three of same 1-inch silk dome tweeter found in the LSA2 Tower and LSA LCR Monitor, with a 6 ½-inch treated paper cone mid-bass driver similar, though not identical to the mid-bass drivers used in other LSA models. Voicing is closely matched to the LSA2 Tower, LSA1 Monitor, and LSA LCR Monitor.
• Features distinctive “tripole” design offering three switch-selectable modes of operation:
o Directional (one front-firing tweeter and the mid-bass driver are operational)
o Bipole (two left/right side-firing tweeters and the mid-bass driver are operational, with the tweeters in phase with one another)
o Dipole (two left/right side-firing tweeters and the mid-bass driver are operational, with the tweeters out of phase with one another)
• Bass reflex enclosure is offered in black ash or rosewood veneer finishes.
• Enclosure provides rear-mounted wall-hanging bracket, though the speaker cabinet is veneered on all sides and is also suitable for stand or tabletop mounting.

SONIC CHARACTER

Let’s start by acknowledging that the LSA system needs a good 100 hours of break-in before it settles in and gives of its best (a common characteristic shared by many higher-end loudspeakers). Though sound straight from the carton is pretty good, you can expect to hear subtle but cumulative improvements in overall smoothness and driver integration as playing time increases. But the biggest single change you may hear involves the bass of the LSA2 Towers, which gradually becomes more refined, showing better pitch definition and becoming more taut and well-controlled as break-in progresses (at first, bass can be slightly thick-sounding and overly prominent).