pull push planar magnetic ET LFT-8b

SlowcarIX

http://www.eminent-tech.com/lft8prod.html

how do they sound?

SolidSqual

I heard them in NY. They are great and a cheap alternative to Magnepan. But, in the end, Maggies are better in the equivalent range.

lakesailor

They are very impressive speakers and a best kept secret for the money. I actually prefer them over the Magies; they have much better low end. I actualy heard about them from a former Maggie owner who switched over to the LFT 8's for the same reason.

For the money I don't think they can beat; very smooth and dynamic and typically sound in the same ballpark as panels that cost 2x - 3x more money.

Downside is that they are woefuly ineffecient and you will need a decent amp. to make them sing.

SlowcarIX

SolidSqual wrote: »

I heard them in NY. They are great and a cheap alternative to Magnepan. But, in the end, Maggies are better in the equivalent range.

did you do a A/B comparison?

SlowcarIX

lakesailor wrote: »

They are very impressive speakers and a best kept secret for the money. I actually prefer them over the Magies; they have much better low end. I actualy heard about them from a former Maggie owner who switched over to the LFT 8's for the same reason.

For the money I don't think they can beat; very smooth and dynamic and typically sound in the same ballpark as panels that cost 2x - 3x more money.

Downside is that they are woefuly ineffecient and you will need a decent amp. to make them sing.

hmm...tempting

Texas42

I owned the LFT-8's and Maggie 1.6QRs at the same time and auditioned both extensively. The ET's, to me, were far better than the maggies (which are indeed nice speakers). The ET's use magnets on both sides of the ribbon for better control over the mid and tweeter panels. You really have to step up to the 3.6s to have an equivalent sound. That being said, the ET's have a very spartan, 'industrial' look to them are are not as aesthetically pleasing (to the eye) as the Maggies. The ET's have a very open musical sound to them and are a great 'bang for the buck' speaker; especially in planars. The only planars I've had which gave me the same kind of sound were the much bigger (and more expensive) Carver Amazing Platinum IV's (which are in yet another league). Just my two cents...

SlowcarIX

Texas42 wrote: »

I owned the LFT-8's and Maggie 1.6QRs at the same time and auditioned both extensively. The ET's, to me, were far better than the maggies (which are indeed nice speakers). The ET's use magnets on both sides of the ribbon for better control over the mid and tweeter panels. You really have to step up to the 3.6s to have an equivalent sound. That being said, the ET's have a very spartan, 'industrial' look to them are are not as aesthetically pleasing (to the eye) as the Maggies. The ET's have a very open musical sound to them and are a great 'bang for the buck' speaker; especially in planars. The only planars I've had which gave me the same kind of sound were the much bigger (and more expensive) Carver Amazing Platinum IV's (which are in yet another league). Just my two cents...

oh dear...dave, you are not helping at all...:D

i called ET this morning and there is ~a month wait on them

do know know if the LSi9 as a center channel will be "fast" enough to integrate nicely with the LFT8s?

lakesailor

Texas42 wrote: »

I owned the LFT-8's and Maggie 1.6QRs at the same time and auditioned both extensively. The ET's, to me, were far better than the maggies (which are indeed nice speakers). The ET's use magnets on both sides of the ribbon for better control over the mid and tweeter panels. You really have to step up to the 3.6s to have an equivalent sound. That being said, the ET's have a very spartan, 'industrial' look to them are are not as aesthetically pleasing (to the eye) as the Maggies. The ET's have a very open musical sound to them and are a great 'bang for the buck' speaker; especially in planars. The only planars I've had which gave me the same kind of sound were the much bigger (and more expensive) Carver Amazing Platinum IV's (which are in yet another league). Just my two cents...

I could not agree more ! As mentioned a friend of mine just bought a pair to replace his Maggie 1.6's. At first I thought he was kind of wasting his money as the LFT8's seemed so similar to the Maggie's. Once I had a chance to listen to the LFT 8's I was blown away how good they are for the bargain selling price.

I did some research and discovered that the company has been around for a long time quietly working away selling a fair number of different products over the years. I was amazed that I found a fair number of reviews and couldn’t find a bad thing said about these speakers anywhere. I tried to figure out how you could have such an impressive speaker and be unheard of. I found the reason; the company does not advertise. The owner builds these in a small facility and seems happy being a “full” production (for a small sized operation) and has no desire to expand. Can’t knock that.

At any rate I ended up having to buy a pair for myself as I was that impressed with them. I agree with Texas comment that they are not exactly sexy to look at; but they do sound amazing; all of the open beauty of a planar speaker but with some real low end as well. Can’t beat them for the $$$.

Get in line if you would like a pair; production is at full capacity and there are not many dealers.

lakesailor

SlowcarIX wrote: »

oh dear...dave, you are not helping at all...:D

i called ET this morning and there is ~a month wait on them

do know know if the LSi9 as a center channel will be "fast" enough to integrate nicely with the LFT8s?

They are worth the wait.

RuSsMaN

Phenomenal speakers, I wish I still mine.

SolidSqual

SlowcarIX wrote: »

did you do a A/B comparison?

I did not A/b, but I found the Maggies to be more pleasing after a few listening sessions. I though the sound was more open and life like.

SlowcarIX

RuSsMaN wrote: »

Phenomenal speakers, I wish I still mine.

will lft8 integrate nicely with lsi9 as a center channel?

SlowcarIX

SolidSqual wrote: »

I did not A/b, but I found the Maggies to be more pleasing after a few listening sessions. I though the sound was more open and life like.

it was the mag1.6 you were listening to?

RuSsMaN

SlowcarIX wrote: »

will lft8 integrate nicely with lsi9 as a center channel?

I wouldn't know, I never watched a single movie with them.

SolidSqual

SlowcarIX wrote: »

it was the mag1.6 you were listening to?

yes.