EMINENT TECH LFT8b, watch out MAGNEPAN!

Eminent Tech makes planar magnetic/ribbon/cone hybrid speakers, the sound wasn't what I bargained for!
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0:00 Meet the Eminent Tech LFT8b
1:21 Quite a ride
2:41 Meet the designer
4:23 US Made
6:45 Amplifiers used in the review
8:13 The sound
12:02 Magnepan LRS+ vs LFT8b
13:49 LFT8b with a tube amp
14:13 Is it perfect?
16:07 LFT8b vs Pure Audio Project Duet 15
16:54 Eminent Tech LFT8c preview
18:12 So Steve, what do you really think?
19:03 Audiophiliac Viewer System of the Day
19:50 Outro
#loudspeakers #USmade #audiophile
Patreon: / audiophiliac
Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan
Instagram: / steve.guttenberg

[@donnewcombe2685]

Excellent review, and very accurate! I've enjoyed my LFT-8b speakers for 8 years now, with different amplification from 60 wpc tubes to 200 wpc solid state and they sound great - superb value!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Steve’s tempered enthusiasm is the best part of his videos.

[@vinylcabasse]

and the shirt he's wearing in the thumbnail 🤣

[@dilbyjones]

Hehe I agree.

[@MultiStrider]

I've had the LFT-8b's for about 3 years now paired with a Jolida Fusion tube pre-amp and a Parasound A21 amplifier. I have them in a mid-size room about 5 feet off of the wall behind them. They sound absolutely fantastic in my room. The tube pre and just slightly warm sounding signature of the 250 watt/8 ohm-400watts/4 ohm Parasound amp round out the crystal clear presentation nicely. They will play far louder than I can tolerate in my room quite easily. I've heard various Magnepan models in many different rooms and have always been impressed. But the LFT-8b's had a characteristic that swung me their direction. And that is their capability to retain the majority of that wonderful sound characteristic even when played at lower to medium sound levels. They sound just as good at 20% power as they do at 80%. I live in Tallahassee where these are manufactured and I had a great conversation with Bruce Thigpen about what I was trying to achieve and how to go about it. I knew I was on the right track when I went by to pick up my made to order speakers and had another great audio conversation as Bruce himself helped me load the speakers into my vehicle. It's hard to beat that kind of customer service. Bruce is a good guy and how often does just a regular "Joe" get to talk audio with a renowned speaker designer? Thanks Steve for bringing us such wonderful things to look at and listen to!

[@SuperMcgenius]

Steve, I have not seen you so excited about a speaker at this price range quite some time. Your reviews are knocking it out of the ballfield. Good work, sir.

[@billmilosz]

These have been available for years.... they've sounded good for years.... surprisingly only reviewed now.

[@gdwlaw5549]

always 3.600?

[@setthejazzfree8910]

​@@gdwlaw5549 I bought them back when the same speakers cost $1800, direct

[@tedhethcote2630]

I’ve had the LFT-8b’s for 14 years and going and really enjoyed them. Bruce Thigpen has always been a pleasure to deal with.

[@keplermission]

Yeah and there's the Monsoon iM-700, you know really car speakers, a subwoofer and flat panel speakers for $200 based on the LFT-11. But Lanzar car speakers with the Dayton Audio HTA100BT are competition.

[@colingatwood4531]

Thanks for your great channel. I've enjoyed my Eminent Techs for about 10 years now.

[@johnrhodesguitartuition]

Fascinating. Great review by an enthusiastic gifted inspired reviewer . Love it

[@mikes121]

Love my Vandersteen Model 2 and Model 1. Purchased both pair this year. Absolutely love these.

[@adrianrorvik7488]

Thanks so much Steve. I loved my LFT8bs (and their little siblings, the LFT16). I still miss them, though happy with my Altec Lansing speakers. The "C" version? Oooooh, yes please! Can hardy wait for THAT review.

[@dpfreedman]

Finally something we agree on :-) I've had my LFT-8bs for several years and have nothing to add. They're spectacular. What needs to be added to the review is a mention of Bruce Thigpen's customer service which has been, without question, the best I have ever experienced.

[@bettervetter]

Bruce is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Built those LTF-8s with him back in college. Greatest job I’ve ever had

[@issadad]

Thanks! I was about to build a system around Magnepan 1.7, but this review and your comment have me very close to pulling the trigger on the LFT-8C. Do you have any sense of how they'd compare to the Maggies in a large 30 x 22 room with 15 ft high ceilings, placed abt 8 ft apart on the long wall? I'm looking for soundstage height, air, envelopment, total immersion (mostly classical music). Above all, is there any integrated amp under $5000 that's ideal? ANY tube int amps? As I can't audition these speakers anywhere (but already know I love the Maggies), I'd love to hear from you.

[@williamglenn6501]

I have a pair of lft8c’s in a very large room and I love them. What you will miss is the bass impact with orchestral music, which you won’t likely get from all but the biggest Maggies. Even then you won’t get the low extension from Maggies but you know this already. The imaging and sound staging are to die for within the limitated sweet spot that a beaming line source places you.

[@thedavidmarriott]

I’m surprised you’re only recently getting to these speakers. I’ve owned a few pairs off and on since the early ‘90s. They are magnificent. The imaging, clarity and stage quality is mind blowing. (I promise I am not in any way affiliated with them). Sitting in the right spot, with the right recording, close your eyes and its like a private live concert.

[@DeVOREFIDELITY]

I've always admired Bruces designs. I still own an ET-2, and I remember the LFT speaker very well from my Stereo Exchange days.

[@danm1995]

I used an ET-2 in the late 80s on a VPI HW19 MkIV - a great combo!

[@scoupra]

Great, thought provoking review Steve! I've owned the 1.6 Maggies for over 20 years and revel in their sound over any box speaker I've ever heard (more than 200 hours of high end listening sessions at CES spanning 3 decades). They're now a bit long in the tooth and need revamping, so I was thinking of the LRS+s paired with the UWB sub system, which are not available - and may never be, or a new pair of 1.7s. Watching your review, I couldn't help but think that a direct head-to-head shootout between the LFT-8b's and the 1.7 Maggies would be a more apples to apples comparo given the similar price points, if you could arrange it. That'd provide real value for us panel lovers on a sub-$4K budget! If not, I guess I'll have to make that 6 hour drive up to Tallahassee to listen to the LFTs for myself before making the purchase decision. In any event, thanks for introducing me to the LFTs with this very informative review. Keep up the excellent work!

[@John-Edward]

Great review Steve! Makes me want to get the LFT8b!!!

[@keplermission]

No the owners you know, wouldn't want someone that looks like you to get his hands on any of those. A person like yourself best stick to wall hangings.

[@De132an]

Good review Steve. I’ve own an LFT8b for about 14 yrs up to todays b version. It’s superb! Moving to my new home just recently to which I have to now share my living room it forced me to go to a large bookshelf. A new c version is yet to come btw. Bruce is a great guy to be sure. Maybe one day you will get to hear a now discontinued LFT-VI for something really special. A true Cory Greenberg of Stereophile “back in the day” special atf. Anyone interested in an LFT8B, don’t forget the Sound Anchor dedicated stands.

[@marcobertolazzi2266]

Steve thanks to your review todayI bought the Mofi 10. Even this review Is simply great, your way to provide concrete images through the words is almost unique. Sei bravo!🎉

[@alexmonteiropraca6585]

Hi Steve, I was watching some of your old videos and just decided to come here and make you a tribute. You know a lot about audio. That is really respectable and very much admirable. I am a beginner and still have lots, but lots to learn. Thanks to you... my journey has begun!! Please keep doing this awesome job. I also have a question, in your view, how to motivate and even captivate young people to enjoy audio? Life must go on as you know...Cheers!

[@noahman27]

Steve. I love your videos. Your story telling is what always wins! I love it. So, when are you going to do a video on Thigpen's SUB-Subwoofer? It sounds awesome!

[@danielwilliams1921]

I’m definitely checking these out - thanks!❤🎶

[@TheDanEdwards]

Thigpen has been at this speaker business for a long time. Many years ago (at least 35) I tried out an LFT-IV, that was the last model before making hybrids, all panel speaker. It had its strengths but just didn't work in my room. I ended up with Magnepan 2.5R in same space. Yes, a different sound between them, even though both are planar magnetics (though of course the 2.5R had the aluminum true ribbon tweeter.) *Bottom line* is this: people who have had box speakers all their lives really should try out some non-box speakers if for no other reason to get the experience of a different kind of sound in their room.

[@MyIrenee]

I have a pair of LFT 3 bought in 1987 and have Hot roaded the cross over, cabling and build a newer frame out of Hard wood. I am driving them with a Wells Audio Inamorata amp rated at 120 watts 8 ohms 200 watts 4 ohms. Well haven't heard anything else that would make me change speakers. Very very happy with them and never had any issues with them over that time.

[@RyanStone143]

I "stole" my pair of LFT 3s at an auction in Indianapolis in 2003 for $800, then found a Sumo Andromeda II amp at a pawn shop to power them. A few years later I won a pair of original LFT 8s on ebay from LJ Linton. I believe he wrote the review I read that got me interested in ET speakers to begin with... I've been happy with both ever since.

[@johnruppert5630]

Steve your enthusiasm is almost as good as the speakers😂🎉🎉

[@robk5745]

Looks like an amazing speaker for the money! Thanks for the review.

[@stevemd8947]

This speaker has been on my short list since the early 90's. Maybe now I will buy a pair.

[@saulbrook7740]

It's good to see ET getting a little mainstream exposure ("mainstream" being a relative concept). Bought my LFT8a for about $1400 with the Sound Anchors stands back in 2005? Upgraded to the B tweeters a couple of years later and for $1800 invested they are giant killers. Ran with 400wpc ss for a number of years and then switched to tubes. Cary SLM100 monoblocks. They are a very tube friendly load. No issues driving them to house filling levels even in triode mode at 55wpc.

[@danielwilliams1921]

Ordered a pair - can’t wait! (December delivery.)

[@bobb.9917]

I have not seen you this excited since you reviewed the Duet 15! OK…so you have to come back with a comparison of the LFT 8 and The Duet 15 once you have installed the additional woofer kit! This is all fun and interesting!

[@amishvette1590]

Steve, I have listened to a few Magnepan speakers in the last year and was not overly impressed with them compared to my current Elac Vella FS407s. However, this video convinced me to give the LFT 8b speakers a tryout. I ordered a pair today after a conversation with Bruce Thigpen regarding my gear and listening room. BTW - Bruce has a small manufacturing footprint with an equally small number of employees. You can tell he really appreciates every sale and especially each customer. So refreshing to talk to an audio component company owner who will get "down in the trenches" with a customer. Thanks for this video - I hope it will be life changing. 😃 And I hope my wife won't shoot me when she gets home next month!

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

Never been a fan of Maggies as well. Hope the LFT 8b works out for you.

[@randylocke2951]

The Sound Anchor stands are a must....much more stable and easier to position.

[@issadad]

@@randylocke2951 Do you mean with the LFT 8C's?

[@issadad]

What will you use to drive them?

[@amishvette1590]

@@issadad Rotel RB 1590 @ 350 WPC

[@kevindeem7174]

I have the 90's version, still works , had to replace one of high frequency foil membranes, but still work, so glad I bought them, I have many different speaker types, it is good to rotate them now and then , ❤

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

What's your favourite type and why?

[@kevindeem7174]

@Crazy prayingmantis I like all of the ones I have. I have been a speaker builder too for many, many years, they all give a different flavor, I need a bigger house! 🤣, depending on the music type that makes each speaker suitable for that, those planners don't really work for metallica or stuff like that, acustic rock is nice, jazz, big band, vinyl records with really good records, very wide, and open, can be haunting, I love all my equipment

[@carlitomelon4610]

I auditioned an electrostatic Martin Logan/McIntosh system recently... (My second experience. Fellow had just upgraded to a newer ML design) Yes, very transparent & focused sound but ethereal as you said Steve. Definitely not my thing. Back home to my LRS/REL system and much happier with the visceral impact and body the players have. There is enough focus to give me the hall acoustic space I crave too. These look interesting. Would be nice if the frames completely surrounded the driver array. Built my LRS into vertical oak frames. 🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵

[@JohnVander70]

Great review!

[@paulstearns93]

Years ago I set up an appointment to listen to a pair at a local dealer who is still one of the dealers of the speakers. When I arrived they were sitting against the back wall covered in dust. The proprietor proceeded to sit me down to and evangelize (proselytize?) about a super high end pure analog system of immense cost with small towers. After his rapturous ramblings of the purity of the sound, I interjected, "I like multichannel music from digital sources." (I have since come to also appreciate good two channel systems). It was as though I kicked his dog. Needless to say I never heard these speakers. I had the opportunity to hear an ET prototype at the '23 Florida Audio Expo, which included the mid/tweeter panel from the 8B with powered, DSPed tower woofers, and it was impressive. When compared to my existing system, I am still enamored with, and haven't found a reason to lust after other speakers, at least those which cost less than my first house. My current system include Magnepan 2.7s and OB subwoofers. I would be interested in your thoughts on larger Maggies, 1.7i and 3.7i which bracket the $3,200 price point.

[@xilebat]

Sounds like a fun and innovative speaker. Sadly, my room is not a candidate. I would love to see a tiered presentation of speakers that play well at low volumes very close to the rear wall.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

So would i

[@billwoodman4658]

I owned the LFT-3 in the 80/90's and loved them. Had to sell them because they were too big for my new listening room.

[@Upracefan]

I listened to a set of those back in the 90s I think, they were incredible.

[@danm1995]

Steve, your enthusiasm is justified! I've been enjoying the 8b for 5 years now and your review is spot-on - clarity, image size, focus, and spatial separation are outstanding. Mine are positioned 4' from the front wall, 7' apart, and 7' from the listening position, slightly toed in. I've added Sound Anchor stands. The midrange and tweeter drivers interact very little with the side walls, floor and ceiling so sounds great without extensive room treatment. I'm currently using a Rogue Audio CMIII in triode mode (60 wpc) and there's just enough power to hit 90db peaks - loud enough for my listening tastes. They sound great with all genres of music, especially jazz! Bruce Thigpen's customer support has been the best I've ever experienced from a manufacturer. Highly recommended!

[@mjot2360]

Do they go deep in the bass?

[@adrianrorvik7488]

@@mjot2360 rated down to 25hz, but a subwoofer or 2 is still recommended (by me and others who have used these speakers). Having said that, I know that the latest LFT8b has a redesigned woofer which has more oomph than those I have heard.

[@keplermission]

@@mjot2360 Cronus Magnum III are good ($4000) but the DAYTON AUDIO HTA100 is better ($300). We need to use Lanzar Car Audio speakers ($20) and a Lanzar subwoofer ($20). The DAYTON is going to give image, size and focus but you'll have to build your own cabinets.

[@randylocke2951]

My setup is almost identical to yours..LFTs 7 ft apart and listening position about 7 ft back. I was using Dynakit monoblocks tube amps and just changed to the Michi X3 series 2. The midrange and dynamics are much much better with the solid state amp. If you have not, I recommend trying a higher powered solid state amp with the LFTs.

[@randylocke2951]

@@mjot2360 They have great bass an if you get the powered sub version, the bass is even better.

[@randylocke2951]

I have a pair with the powered subs. I’m driving them with the Michi X3 series 2. The system sounds amazing.

[@scottfraser1758]

Hmmm, another option to consider Years ago I used to own a pair of Apogee Centaur minors. They were my favourites until they came to an unforeseeable end. I was thinking about the small magnepans but now....

[@erics9754]

Here is a little background on my taste I love dynamic music horns classical Frank Zappa Cat Stevens Supertramp blues anything that is produced well and all types of music are made with care and love and passion. The quads I tried are not bad to light and have no impact. Sanders Sound electrostatic with woofer with a bass wave guide tube, not bad maggies 1.7 and 3.7 not bad used with a Rel B1 not too shabby Soundlab A1PX beats all of them and it's not close. I would bet my life that you will like them but use the right amps as I mentioned. If you can please try to review them and talk to people that have used them you will be doing yourself and all of us audio freaks a favor. Like I said I like how you present things in a careful and thoughtful manor. You come across as a good and honest man with a welcoming personality thanks again for all of your hard work.

[@romanpovcher3923]

Hi Steve. Great review! How does it compare to Magnepan 1.7i, or a 3.7i? Thank you!

[@NK-me9yz]

It's about 30 years ago that I had the chance to hear a pair of Apogee Diva on Treshold Monos in a private setup. It was amazing, especially big Classic orchestra. We heard Mahlers second Symphony conducted by Inbal on Denon one point recording. At the end Time from Pink Floyd. It is very special with electrostatic and magnetostatic, you have to try it at least once.

[@dannyng5427]

Sonigistix was licensed from Eminent and developed their planer speakers. They were sold to Monsoon. Monsoon FPF-1000's are not expensive in the used market.

[@TheMikecho]

I own many speakers including several Maggie’s and ML’s speakers. This is my favorite speaker by far.

[@issadad]

Then please tell me what you use to drive them. I'm about to buy the LFT-8C's and I will need an int amp. Thanks.

[@TheMikecho]

@@issadad i got many amps and folllowing combo give me best sound "THETA generation viii series 3 DAC" with "KRELL theater amplifier standard".

[@arjunroy4555]

this model was a value leader for years, since passed by, however I suspect the 8C version with its dsp will be a significant upgrade and potentially make this a game changer at its price point and beyond

[@iampryso9548]

Steve, re: dipole placement. Years ago a Bell Labs study determined that at least a 10 millisecond delay was needed between direct and reflected sound for best clarity and definition. Fortunately sound travels at about 1'/ms so placement calculations can be easy. I've commented on this on a couple of audio sites but it doesn't generate much comment. Placing dipole speakers at least 5' or more out from the front wall can achieve that 10 ms delay for sounds projected from the rear of the panel. When placement must be closer to the wall then experimentation with dispersion panels should be helpful. Also, I believe you can find push/pull designs in Maggies but you need to look in the upper portion of their line up.

[@steveee2511]

i had the oportunity to hear a kind of french made luxury magnepan and was amazed they are called Diptyque audio woud be cool to hear your rewiev on them

[@peterw2714]

Thank you for putting in words how panel speakers sound to me. they tend to sound airy and light, but there’s never been any meat to the music.

[@mgt1701]

Hi Steve - Great video! Any thoughts about comparing the Magnepans in the same price range to the LFT8b. I believe that is the Magnepan 3.7 (about $3700 pair), the Magnepan 1.7 is about ($2400 pair)....that way not comparing apples to oranges (re price equivalency).

[@FrankZappa1959]

Steve, these very speakers got me hooked over 30 years ago. that's how long this manufacturer has been around. I can remember exactly when my hi-fi dealer had these speakers in the studio and he hooked them up for me. I've never heard something so ingenious before and since then I've been an absolute magnetostat lover.

[@keplermission]

Well you know ... dipole has been around a long time in the USA but not in Britain. What's the secret of success? Well ... an amplifier designed to run with a passive radiator speaker, a speaker you know, like a Rola Celestion Ditton 25 but these had a very awkward 4-8 load, meaning the impedance shifted about and had a slight reverb effect, so that they needed specially tuned amplifiers that were both very powerful and could cope with clarity after reverb effects. So what amplifier did Celestion Ditton A.B.R. use? Well ... they used the Swiss Revox and Danish Bang & Olufsen ... and they were out of most people's price range. Very expensive and later ... made for B&o by Celestion. The Dipole speakers use these amplifiers.

[@bbophead1]

@@keplermission I thought QUAD 57s were dipole. No? Perhaps there is a US dipole speaker that is older(?).

[@keplermission]

@@bbophead1 Steve is in a deleting mood. Klipsh Forte is dipole. QUAD ESL-57 ..? I know the British QUAD ... Quality Unit Acoustical Design but 😁

[@bbophead1]

@@keplermission but?

[@keplermission]

@@bbophead1 but Steve would delete anything longer.

[@btbb3726]

Many years ago I owned a pair of EPI electrostatic (?the correct terminology?) speakers. The speakers were about 40-ish inches tall. They were boxes but each had an electrostatic panel that filled the upper 1/2 to 2/3 of the speaker face and then an additional ~10”(?) cone speaker in the lower portion the speaker. I was separated from them at some point but my recollection is that they ok sounded nice - very clear with good separation in the mid to upper range. (I apologize for any Luddite terminology above but I hope you get the idea). Also, very cool channel, even for a non-audiophile (I have an audiophile heart but I don’t have an audiophile wallet 😜).

[@asan1050]

Steve!..Thanks Much !.......👍

[@jvburnes]

Really cool review. I've heard of these before but I don't see anyplace where I could audition them. I'd guess they are in a similar category as the Maggie 1.7s but with better dynamics? It looks like they have a 30 daymoney back guarantee if you are 150+ miles from the nearest dealer.

[@michellevey9608]

Steve you're my favorite speaker reviewer.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thank you!

[@felipencl]

Awesome Elac UBR62 on the stands. Great speakers. 🎶

[@roccobruno8027]

Seems quite impressive, especially given the reasonable price.

[@Pixeltrainer]

I had a pair of these and they are GREAT sounding speakers! It turned out they were too big for my family room however so I returned them. If I ever hit the lotto and can buy a larger house I plan to reorder a pair! I highly recommend them!!!

[@ProgRockKeys]

Reminds me of my IRS Betas, by Infinity. Also 30 some years old.

[@michaelkaiser5994]

Reminds me of the ML Clarity’s I had.

[@OldTooly]

These speakers are enormously interesting, Thanks for the review. I must ask, your seating position was 9 feet. How close do you think you could sit to get most of this speaker's potential? 4 feet from my wall will reduce my speaker to seating distance accordingly, in my already too small room.

[@garytotty3971]

sounds interesting! Was thinking about Maggie (1.7's) with a Revel sub plus a crossover. My amps will drive them easily, and now have to give these guys some thought. My issues are imaging, and depth of the sound stage.

[@keplermission]

I wanted the USA to import the GLL Imagio IC120 speakers, the IC130 is on You Tube and in a custom cabinet like mine. They're awesome in imaging and depth of sound stage. There was a lot of these Imagio speaker models but the original ones were best. The USA didn't value the design, it was better than the KEF Uni-Q, far superior.

[@69A12SuperBee]

I don’t know, but I still love my Magnepans 😍

[@aceofspades6667]

These vs spatial m3 sapphire and spatial x5 ? Or even the spatial audio labs m4 sapphire you reviewed previously?

[@stevemd8947]

Steve - Did you play any classical piano music? If yes, was the center image rock solid? Thank you.

[@mrtunapie6653]

Wow! Eminent Tech still makes the LFT's!!?? I had a pair of the originals a long time ago. They were way bigger then these though and heavy as hell. I wish I still had them. Selling them is one of the biggest regrets in my life ... 😢😢

[@keplermission]

Well I had a Realistic STA-2290 receiver and you know, felt the same way but it was huge, I mean talk about a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon. I used to you know, get a measuring tape and just wish that it wasn't so big. It wasn't high but length and depth, it was probably bigger than the later Carver MXR-150. But these are truly great receivers for the Tannoy Little Gold Monitor that has an edge-wound motor, you know, that few amplifiers could sound good with, unless designed for Dynaudio or later JBL.

[@marantz7783]

Bruce Thigpen is a frooking genius--hi Bruce ( and a very nice guy)

[@RogierYou]

I hope this speaker is better then their website....

[@larrygaines7462]

I built a sub for Maggie in 1978. Separate amp,hand built lo pass . It was 10 in sealed 70 watt. yamaha amp, awesome

[@mgaming7]

So how do they compare to Martin Logans? It seems to me, that would be a better comparison than Maggies that don't have woofers.

[@gregoryfrassetti1276]

Too bad we still don't know when the Maggie Sub is coming out and how much it will cost. But these are pretty cool if you ask me.

[@rodneyarnoldi]

Thank you Steve for the review. I'm wondering whether I will be as delighted with the Eminent Tech LFT-8b as I am with my Quad 57's? Voices are so natural sounding on the Quads...something I would miss perhaps?

[@issadad]

I have ESL-57s too but they're not happy with my old Fischer 500-C receiver. What do you use to drive your Quads? Also, if they are still on their original little legs, do you get much height in the soundstage -- the soundstage soaring to fill the air above the Quads? I'm missing that, and I ask bcse I have 15 ft ceilings.

[@richardsmith6431]

Steve is entirely correct about these speakers being better than Magnepan. In the early ‘90’s I traded Maggie IIIbs for the LFT VIII. No comparison.

[@garysmith8455]

Steve, I was surprised that they are only 83 db efficient ! My Martin Logan (you now revealed your feelings toward ESTATS 😢) Classic 9's are at 90 DB! I don't believe these ribbons would have the same punch or more dynamics over the ML's with a Parasound A21 at 400w per ch. which is the recommended power. But then again, the price points are quite different. 🙂

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

As a side benefit, the rotary sub can cool one's Class A amp.

[@mjot2360]

Steve - How was the transition from the mid range driver to the tweeter? Some say it's not 100% seamless.

[@user-nq4sz1uw2m]

I have the 8c upgrade & yes it does make a big difference.

[@issadad]

Been hoping to find somebody here who has LFT-8C. My space is big, 30x22 with 15ft ceilings. I'd put the 8C's on the long wall abt 8 ft apart, abt 3 ft out from the wall behind them, abt 9 ft from me. With such high ceilings, I'm looking for soundstage height as well as depth and width -- a big sound that envelops me. Mostly classical orch music. Above all, I need help selecting an int amp. What have you found that you like?

[@user-nq4sz1uw2m]

@@issadad hi, I use NAT or Doshi mono blocks. I’ve never used an int. amp so I’m not sure how much I can help you.

[@rw3915]

Like always, nice job. As someone wrote, your enthusiasm is wonderful. Just out of curiosity, when testing the speaker, did your front end consist of the Pass Labs XP30 preamp, and the Jay's Audio/Terminator DAC? If not, mentioning that which was used would be great. What also would be great is inserting perhaps a 15 second audio clip in your video. Then again, just keep on keepin' on!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The preamp is mostly the LTA , the DAC mola mola Tambaqui, and Jay's CD transport

[@issadad]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I second the suggestion for a sound clip in your videos.

[@mostirreverent]

Being so close to those woofers activate the floor. Do you need iso acoustic feet or something

[@DM-ws7pd]

What took you so long Steve? LFT-8x have been around for 25+ years! I upgraded from Acoustic M3's (door sized panels) maybe 20 years ago to LFT 8a's and then 8b's. I compared the two speakers for maybe a year. The electrostatics might have been faster and a tiny bit more resolving but the LFTs were just more pleasant and had more heft. You compared the LFTs to the Maggies with a "IN THIS ROOM" statement a couple of times. Sounded like you were implying something. Nice review though!

[@5thlevelweb887]

Would these be an upgrade over my Martin Logan Electromotion ESLs?

[@jvburnes]

This review is going to totally overload Eminents factory :)

[@2mikelim]

Change all existing connecting copper wires into pure silver like Audionote (if you can get short lengths) and its sound will be taken to the next level! I had done the same to my LFT-16

[@kevinfestner6126]

How do these compare to martin Logan's electrostatic speakers?

[@circattle]

I'm thinking that these would be a very good match for Quad 99/909, which is really designed to push electrostats, and the price is nearly a third of Quad's ESL 2912. I'm intrigued that Bruce Thigpen drew his early inspiration from Quad ESL-57. I also note that HiFi Choice said these were better than similar price Martin Logan's - I heard the Electromotion ESL speakers a couple of years ago, but I was disappointed with how they handled electronic music, and the off-axis performance was brutal, even by electrostat standards.

[@ns387241]

Hi Steve, great video! Wondering what your thoughts would be about how this speaker compares to the Magnepan 1.7i. Thanks.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I've mostly lived with LRS, .7, 3.6 and 7, this speaker is faster, clearer, and the bass is more dynamic and powerful.

[@marantz7783]

Bruce is a Prince !!

[@eoglander]

I have the smaller version of these. The LFT 16A. They're unreal. Bruce is a class act.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

These speakers sound really good..but I live in a small listening space so far do they have to far from the wall ???..for the price they sound great especially being built in the USA.Thank you Steve Guttenberg what would we do without you !!!!

[@Josh442]

For dipoles in general, 3' seems to be the minimum. I mean, they can be closer, but you lose a lot.

[@Mr70hemi]

Steve what do you think of Martin Logan Motion® SLM. ??

[@bobtaylor7197]

What about his "hypersonic" super directional soeaker!

[@antitrustnomonopoly8291]

Maggies are capable to deliver very quality bass absolutely fantastic for classical music playback like pipe organ but demands crazy amplification that warms up space a lot (I've been using sustained plateua bias class A mono blocks yet too much heat to cope with) few watts of class A is plenty for my stereo today (back loaded full range)

[@melbguy1]

Apparently the LFT8C is a significant upgrade over the 8B & is a good deal for $4.5kUS

[@jvburnes]

How would these compare to the Maggi 1.7s? Not really fair to compare a $1000 set of speakers to a $3200 pair.

[@ethimself5064]

You one happy camper on this one. 👍

[@jasonmelo9379]

How can that 8-in woofer possibly go down so low, especially that it's a sealed cabinets?

[@jvburnes]

I was thinking of a LRS+ setup with dual dipole linkwitz subs, but the linkwitz subs are around $1200, then add a miniDSP and a dual channel hypex amp and your up around $3000. Maybe just get the LFT8b at $3200.

[@thespotlightkid1011]

I was surprised to see the thumbnail pic' with this E.T. Speaker's model number, unchanged since I first read & saw pic's of this exact same speaker in a u.k. mag called 'Hi-Fi World" (the only decent enough u.k. hi-fi mag) when they were 1'st made by E.T. back in the 90's. They also loved its sound & described the push-pull drive arrangement & it's according extra dynamic ability compared with single-sided magnetic drive, it was about 1800'ish or upto 2000 g.b.£ back then, so hasn't gone up in time-adjusted dollars. I was into & owned Quad ELS 57 & Accustat model 'X's, both s/h buys but would have bought these ET's if I'd had the money back then on the strength of that review, i'm nearly certain, but I heard nothing about them aftef & no other (pre-net) reviews of this speaker after that, until now. Obviously a worthy design then. I re-fancy a pair now

[@nonsequitor]

Funny you mention Thigpen. . Heard PS Audio in a rotary sub video pretending he didn't know what happened after the first rotary sub like he went out of business 😂

[@Justwantahover]

For a speaker of that class and size the price is really good! Well worth 3 grand.

[@ramesh520]

Hi Steve,since I've gotten partial to imaging of dual coax speakers,how do these compare to Mofi pointsource 10? Or Any of the dual coax speakers?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The eminent is far superior, if you have the room to give it space! Can't put these near a wall, and you have a high-quality hundred watt plus amp.

[@gtrguyinaz]

Steve… what about 2 speakers per channel… how would that sound and integrate…