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67.92.242.67
Model: LFT-IV Category: Speakers Suggested Retail Price: $1850 Description: Full-range push-pull planar magnetic speaker Manufacturer URL: Eminent Technology Model Picture: View
Review by slbenz ( A ) on April 05, 2004 at 11:39:35
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for the LFT-IV
These speakers were originally marketed as the smaller version of the LFT-IIIs. This is a full-range push-pull planar magnetic to simulate the detail and speed of electrostatic speakers. First, this is one of the most neutral sounding speakers I have ever heard. Voice, whether male or female are rendered true-to-life. Detail and speed is similar to electrostatics that I have heard and owned. Soundstage is massive but still retains pinpoint detail of location and height in the recording. Theses speakers can separate two individual singers that are performing side-by-side or front to rear. Sometimes it is eerie as to how these speakers can render excellent recordings. Even a high-quality FM signal will sound great on these speakers. Unlike electrostatics, the beaming effects is less pronounced and the sweet spot is more forgiving and larger than typical electrostatic speakers.These speakers excel on jazz, classical and vocal recordings. Surprisingly, they even do very well on Rock and R&B recordings. Just be prepared to give these speakers high-quality wattage. You will need a minimum of 75 watts at 8 ohms according to the manual but I would strongly suggest at least 100 watts instead if you listen to your music loud. This speaker will not produce extremely loud quality sound. It is only rated to a maximum SPL of 105dBs. Rated efficiency is only 80dB/1W. Best when used in a small to medium sized room. Using these speakers for home theater, you feel that you are part of the movie. Very involving yet you can listen to them all day because unlike other designs, these do not have overemphasized highs. These speakers also have a built-in crossover network which lets you tailor the highs in three positions to your liking. I have mine set in the middle setting.
This speaker is approximately 58" H x 18" W x 12" D and weigh 60lbs. each. The speaker is constructed out of real oak wood standing on four adjustable spiked feet. Behind the speaker is a baffle on each side made of particle board to help reinforce and smooth out the bass. This speaker like other planare are very low maintenance. Dust is not really an issue for these speakers vs. electrostatics that are more susceptible to dust. The only maintenance I do with this speaker is oil the wood from time to time. If you have high-power quality wattage available, don't listen to your music or movies extremely loud and want a very neutral sounding speaker, you should try to seek out these speakers for an audition. You may be hard pressed to find these speakers since Bruce Thigpen, the designer and owner told me that only 300 pairs were only made. Good luck and happy listening!
Product Weakness: Can't play extremely loud like dynamic speakers. Need high-power amp due to low efficiency rating. Product Strengths: Neutral sound, great soundstage, height and detail. Not as beaming in sound as electrostatics.
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: Parasound HCA-1205A Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Parasound AVC-1800 Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony CDP-CX240 Speakers: Eminent Technology LFT-IV Cables/Interconnects: Cobalt Cables Speakers and Interconnects Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Classical, Rock Room Size (LxWxH): 14 x 18 x 12 Room Comments/Treatments: Cement Floor with Wall-toWall Carpeting Time Period/Length of Audition: Two months Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Power HTS-1000 Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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Topic - REVIEW: Eminent Technology LFT-IV Speakers - slbenz 11:39:35 04/5/04 ( 25)
- Gotta love those ET Speakers! - GStew 18:56:12 04/10/04 ( 0)
Eminent Technology LFT-IV Speakers - Tom C 19:00:05 04/6/04 ( 3)
- Re: Eminent Technology LFT-IV Speakers - slbenz 20:09:28 04/6/04 ( 2)
- Re: Eminent Technology LFT-IV Speakers - stjo100 20:50:07 04/13/04 ( 1)
- Listening to LFT-VI Speakers - slbenz 10:15:15 04/14/04 ( 0)
Can you compare to Maggies? - sbrians 06:43:05 04/6/04 ( 10)
- Re: Can you compare to Maggies? - slbenz 13:17:54 04/6/04 ( 9)
- 3.6 isn't push-pull - Mart 13:28:18 04/6/04 ( 8)
- Re: 3.6 isn't push-pull - slbenz 20:16:52 04/6/04 ( 3)
- see post below re: push-pull - Mart 10:52:17 04/7/04 ( 2)
- Re: see post below re: push-pull - slbenz 21:21:14 04/8/04 ( 1)
- ah, yes - Mart 22:23:34 04/8/04 ( 0)
- Re: 3.6 isn't push-pull - Sampsa 14:42:52 04/6/04 ( 3)
- Re: push-pull - Mart 10:42:10 04/7/04 ( 2)
- Re: push-pull - Sampsa 10:48:25 04/7/04 ( 1)
- haven't ABX'd ... MG20 -v- MG20.1 _ (nt) - Mart 11:17:22 04/7/04 ( 0)
is 12" deep a typo? _ (nt) - Mart 13:22:19 04/5/04 ( 7)
- Re: is 12" deep a typo? _ (nt) - slbenz 18:31:33 04/5/04 ( 6)
- Re: is 12" deep a typo? _ (nt) - Green Lantern 08:32:23 04/6/04 ( 1)
- Re: is 12" deep a typo? _ (nt) - slbenz 13:21:22 04/6/04 ( 0)
- so, there's a box like cavity back there? - Mart 18:43:11 04/5/04 ( 3)
- Re: so, there's a box like cavity back there? - slbenz 18:59:58 04/5/04 ( 2)
- Maggie "wing" pic... - Mart 05:52:21 04/6/04 ( 0)
- so, it's like what Maggie tweakers call "wings" - Mart 20:54:56 04/5/04 ( 0)
pic ... - Mart 12:46:42 04/5/04 ( 0)