There’s a lot of experimentation and development going on with new models in the listening room, and I even got a sneak peek at some new speakers.

Recently, when I entered Richard’s listening room, where he has been holed up all this time, I saw a row of experimental speaker models. Among them, what immediately caught my eye was a row of LS3/5A type speakers.

Of course, the LS3/5A is licensed by the BBC.

In the right corner of the listening room set up inside the Mitcham factory, you can see a B&K frequency response measuring device, and in the left corner you can see the latest model, Studio, which uses a Bextrene cone.

The combo in the listening room, the player is Linn Sondek, and the integrated amplifier is the same company’s A-100

However, there are also experimental models with polypropylene cones. These are test models made using the LS3/5A enclosure. Many of them have Bextrene cones.

Since the speaker is made of polypropylene, it is not possible to arbitrarily change its specifications. However, Richard is apparently experimenting with various materials, such as using polypropylene for the woofer. Being able to do this is one of the greatest joys of being an engineer.

Looking around, I noticed some unfamiliar speakers. When I pointed to them, Richard closed one eye and said with a laugh, “They’re new ones that use Bextrene. They also have the model number Studio. I’ll show them to you at the audio fair in the autumn.”

Each and every product completed in the factory is carefully inspected. First, pink noise is used to check whether the frequency response is flat. This is done using a spectrum analyzer, just as we do when we visit the listening room.

The Cadet III integrated amplifier was designed by Rogers founder Jim Rogers. It is said to still be loved by many people today.

Stephen, who is in charge of listening and quality control plays his usual BBC tapes to listen to the programs.

Listening system, tape deck, Levox H S-77, amplifier A100

To check the frequency characteristics. Then, they use a BBC test tape to listen to the balance of the range. This tape contains the announcer’s voice and music, and when you listen to the announcements that you are familiar with, you can immediately notice any unnaturalness or flaws in the basic balance. Quality control is strict,

Their ears are tuned to it.

Introducing Rogers’ first machine

Brian Pook handed me a group of old amplifiers and asked me to take a look. The Rogers brand is one of the oldest British manufacturers, founded by Jim Rogers, and started out by producing tube amplifiers. In the past, Rogers was known for its amplifiers.

Brian says that this tube preamplifier and power amplifier were Rogers’ first.