Planar Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Eminent Technology LFT-VIIIA Speakers by Stale

Model:	LFT-VIIIA
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1500/pair w/o stands
Description:	Hybrid planar magnetic/dynamic speaker
Manufacturer URL:	Eminent Technology
Model Picture:	View

Review by Stale ( A ) on April 03, 2007 at 18:17:10
IP Address: 151.154.70.122

Add Your Review
for the LFT-VIIIA

THIS IS FOLLOW-UP TO MY PRIOR REVIEW
Foreword:
Since I reviewed theses speakers year and half ago, I tried to get as much as I can however, with monetary (and WAF) limits.
Most of the time, I played around understandably using my MF CDPre and amp. Also tried passive bi-amping with two MFs, than Plinius 8100, Carry Rocket 88R, Carry Rocker 88R on pannels+MF, Cary V12R (courtesy of the friends and Van L Speaker Works in Chicago, I am not associated with blah, blah...). For cables see below
Frequency response and SPL
At advice of some of the inmates I bought RS SPL meter (in combination with Stereophile test CDs) to speed up search for a best location of the speakers. Well, it was very informative to have it but I did not find it too useful. Although it may help in finding smoothest bass response, smooth response is not all that is. Still it was useful to locate proximity of the (personal) best location, and it gives you piece of mind that you are not doing something way off. As much as RS reading anything meaningful at the upper octaves, dream on, it was way to much direction sensitive.
After quite a bit of fiddling around, best results were obtained when ET panels are about 3ft from the front wall, about 8ft apart 10 ft from my listening position, vertical and significantly rotated toward listening position. (Actually I believe that being even 4-5 ft into the room is better, but due to the room size 15'x16' and possible listening position it is not possible, don't mention WAF)
There were complaints that these speakers can't play loud. Everyone has its definition loud, so I measured in room average/peak SPL values in db of about 93/103 with single MF, similar with Cary V12R, or about 96/106 with various bi-amp options. (For me these were ridiculously high volumes for permanent listening). Most of the listening I do is approx. 65 to 75 db average, 85 to 95 db peak. What is important that speakers did it without strain (cant say that about the amps).
Speaker Cables, Bi-wiring, etc.
Again, I donâ€™t want to make this cable review, so will not detail each the cable/cable configuration, I will present overall trend. First, cables make quite a quite a bit of difference, some were great some sucked big time.
For single wire configuration, attaching wire to bass terminals, jumper to panels, give slightly better bass control, but some slight harshness and loss of air in the midrange-treble. Differences are very light, albeit the worst one was using supplied jumper wires, with CAT 5e close second. Of others tried, there was some difference between them but not much. In any case, after a while I always preferred cable connection to the panels, jumper to the bass, for single wire.
For double bi-wire configuration, it was always slightly better than single wire, some of the harshness is gone and bass control improved, however, only as long as the same type of cable was used for both panels and bass. As soon as different cables were used, no matter what improvement it may bring to the upper or lower register it would, well, somehow mess up the overall balance.
I want talk about interconnects since they are more related to the Pre/Power interface, but for the record, some ICs worked nice with certain speaker cables, and no so good with others, so experimentation is necessity.
Amplification
As much as bi-amping is concerned, the only amps I can get in pair were MF A3.2CR, unfortunately. As much as difference between the single amp/bi-wire and bi-amp configuration is concerned, there is slightly easier representation and less â€˜glareâ€™ at the higher listening levels. At lower levels, I could not really say is there a difference or not (I am leaning toward slightly yes), Also you get higher SPL but to me it is mutt point since I do not listen at those levels anyway (or should I say any more.) Also, I could not obtain megawatt amplifiers so most of what I say is in respect to moderately powered amps.
Why, unfortunately? Well similar to the above, as soon as two different amps were used it would mess up transition region between panel and bass, everything is there but just is not right (yes, I matched levels and inverted polarity where required). I know that some will disagree, but for me even-ness/wholeness of the sound is more important than slight increase in the maximum SPL, or somewhat better control of the bass, or...
So what is different than my previous review and comments?
I mentioned slightly pfff-y treble and some dryness in the midbass. After a few cable changes and I believe extended break-in this was reduced to fairly low level. Actually depending on the cables and amps , and top end may go from too hot to recessed, (subjectively). Problem was that with most of the SS, if cable was quick and spacious, I needed to tone down tweeter to mostly middle setting, but than there was slight brightness in the sound, and as I noted before dryness in midbass-upper bass. After little bit of position adjustment midbass improved but some dryness was still there with SS amps. If cables were on the fuller, slower side, you would loose brightness, but some PRAT too and space. However, this was not too prominent and spaciousness, quickness and overall natural presentation were rarely significantly compromised, just, depending on the associated equipment, 'shape' and 'color' changed.
And than one day after trying SS amps, it hit me that this speaker has almost constant fairly high impedance on the panels, originally I heard it with CJ gear, lets try tubes on the panels. I borrowed Cary Rocket 88R and hooked it up in a single mode just to get a feeling before I start setting up for bi-amp configuration. Midbass dryness gone, top end crystal clean, all detail is there (maybe even more), but had more body, stage depth increased, ease of presentation and that â€˜being hereâ€™ feeling in spades, slightly lacking in PRAT (or how I like to refer to it boogie factor) and bass definition. It was quite a jump.
I should kick myself in the behind (if I figure how to do it) for not going tubes much sooner. I still can not believe that 30 WPC in triode can do this with 84db speakers. No, it could not play as loud as MF or Plinius, or have kick ass bass, but I don't need that any way. Everything else is just way better.
After that experience I tried to get hold of other tube amps to try. I tried ARC VS-55, Sixpacs and finally Rogue Stereo 90. Well, six months later it is still here and it is not going anywhere at least in foreseeable future. I use it w/ Tungsol 12AX7, Sylvania 6SN7, SED 6550. I will try to give amp comparison at latter date and as amp reviews.
After lot of blah, blah, how did all of the above affect sound ET-s?
That pfff-y treble is gone, as well as any harshness that was present with certain amps/cables is gone. Dryness in bass is gone. (With 90s, there is also boogie factor that was slightly missing from Rocket 88R-s) .
Overall spaciousness snappiness etc, did not change, it did not change speaker main positive traits.
There is trade-off while using single tube amp of the limited power. Bass is somewhat slower, and does not have impact or grip that it had when biamp-ed with SS on bass. It is not question of quantity but feel. If you need impact, you need large power SS amp, period. (Even than, do not expect JBL, Cervin Vega etc, type of bass).
Now part that amazed me the most. After using tube amps for months I plugged in SS back as a reference point. SS sounds, well, gray. Sorry , I can not describe it in a better way. It is really hard to explain, there is no lack in detail with any of those, but just it is like having sunny day vs. day with slight overcast or haze.
Conclusion
Still the same, one of the best speakers for the money, provided that you can afford decent associated equipment and have space. Yes, somewhat narrower sweet spot in respect to conventional speakers, but not less than the other planar types, not for parties, hard rock and heavy metal, but pleasure for acoustical, vocal, jazz, classical, etc. music.
(Since there is not space below, number of cables were tried, from cheapo giveaways/MAS Blue?/AQ Diamondback/Chord Chameleon 2/Kimber Hero/PS eXtreme Signature/MIT Shotgun S3ic, Nordost Blue Heavens, Transparent Music Link, to Harmonic Technology TruthLink (personal stock and friends loans), and from HD14/CAT5e(braided)/PNF Symphony/AQ Granite /AQ Bedrock/Nordost Blue Heavens/Transparent MusicWave single to MIT Shotgun S3s.)

Product Weakness: See review
Product Strengths: See review

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	see review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	see review
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	VPI 19 MKIII, Rega RB250 Moded...
Speakers:	LFT-VIIIA
Cables/Interconnects:	See above
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jazz, classical, international...
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 16 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Little, unfortunately
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 year 9 months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	See review
Product Strengths:	See review