Trident Loudspeaker Company LS-101

Jul 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Mike Levine

Overall EM Rating (1 through 5): 4 Trident Loudspeaker Company/Oram/Alphabet Belmont Group, Ltd. (distributor) tel. 44-1474-815-300 e-mail sales@oram.co.uk Web www.oram.co.uk

The Trident Loudspeaker Company is a new venture for English audio-design guru John Oram. The company's first product is the LS-101 ($855 per pair), a passive monitor speaker. The LS-101s are close-field monitors designed to be used either in stereo — the application this review will focus on — or in a 5.1 configuration. (The company offers a matched system featuring five LS-101s and the LS-102 passive subwoofer.)

In and Around

The European-built LS-101 is 17 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 7 inches high. It's encased in a heavyweight wood cabinet (the monitor weighs 20 pounds) with a cherry-wood veneer and a removable grill. It sports a pair of custom-designed 5-inch drivers and a 1-inch dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet. The rear of the cabinet has a circular bass port, as well as two pairs of gold-plated speaker terminals. The second pair of speaker terminals provides the option of setting up the LS-101s in a biwired configuration. (Biwiring, often used in audiophile systems, is a speaker-connection method in which a single amplifier uses two pairs of speaker wire per side to feed separate high- and low-frequency terminals on the monitors.)

The LS-101s, which are rated at 50W RMS at 4ž, were designed to sit in a horizontal orientation on a console or desktop, but can also be set up vertically. The cabinets are magnetically shielded, which will keep them from causing interference when placed next to a computer monitor — a handy feature for DAW users.

Take a Listen

In my listening tests of the LS-101s, which have a frequency response rating of 30 Hz to 22 kHz, I found them to be smooth sounding, warm, and very detailed. Cymbals, tambourine, and other instruments with lots of high-end information sounded crisp and natural. Low-end reproduction was excellent, especially considering the size of the drivers. Kick drums and bass guitar were full sounding, distinct, and not muddy.

Oram told me that he hopes that the LS-101s, with their wider frequency range, will be considered as replacements for the ubiquitous (and now out of production) Yamaha NS-10s. In fact, I compared the monitors to my NS-10Ms, and found that the LS-101s did sound more expansive: they had a bigger bottom end, a smoother middle and top, and a wider stereo image.

To test the LS-101s in a mixing situation, I used them to monitor a hybrid bluegrass instrumental mix featuring acoustic guitars, mandolin, dobro, and acoustic bass. I had previously mixed this piece on my NS-10s and a pair of smaller Radio Shack Minimus 7s, and was not happy with the results, especially the muddy bottom end. Not only did the LS-101s help me correct the bass EQ problems, but also they provided a clearer top end. I was able to distinguish the high frequency elements more easily and do a better job of balancing and equalizing them. The final result was much improved.

LS Is More

From the standpoint of sonic performance, the LS-101s are definitely winners. But whether the company succeeds with them commercially remains to be seen. The speakers face stiff competition in the crowded studio monitor field, and although they offer good value, they're certainly not a budget item. Another impediment the company faces is limited U.S. distribution. The easiest way to order them may be to contact Trident directly through the Oram Web site.

One thing is certain: if you're looking for quality passive monitors, the smooth-sounding LS-101s are sure to please. And for those who prefer powered speakers (an easier way to go, especially if you're thinking of using them for a 5.1 setup), the company plans to release an active version by this year's AES show in late October.

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