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Planar/panel speakers to replace Carver Amazings

Hi All,

a while back, I posted a question titled “Secondary/“vintage” system speaker replacement options?” in this section. However, it didn’t get many responses.

However, perhaps the above simpler title will elicit more responses. Just trying again.

if you’d like more background info, please see the above titled post.

All the best and many thanks.
arsh

Showing 4 responses by bdp24

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,204 posts
 
Well Doug, if you ever decide to sell the LFT-6's let me know! Have you seen the posting from the guy who, like you, doubled-up two pair of LFT-8's? But instead of placing them side-by-side, he removed the LFT drivers from ET's panels, and installed them in his own steel frames. He arranged the midrange drivers two-wide and two-high, with a pair of the tweeters right next to the mid panels, one atop the other. Under each frame is an ET woofer cube. Brilliant!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,204 posts
 

@ctsooner, the problem with the Vandersteen sub(s) with the LFT-8’s is that the LFT m-p panels are good to only just below 200Hz (the x/o is at 180Hz, 1st order), so any sub used with them must play that high. Few do, but the OB/Dipole Sub plays up to 400Hz! And being a dipole, the blend with dipole speakers is superb.

Douglas, I agree---ESL’s are king of the hill to me. Unequalled liquid transparency and low-level detail, and natural timbre reproduction. The reproduction of vocals---solo, harmony, and counterpoint, is extremely important to me, and nothing else equals ESL’s in that regard. I’ve had Quad 57’s for a quarter century, but they, as everyone knows, are SPL and bass limited. The LFT-8 provides an acceptable compromise for lots of Pop music, the recording quality of which is often really, really bad. The transparent reproduction of it’s sound often leads to less musical enjoyment and involvement, not more.

Damn Doug, you have a pair of LFT-6's?! I looked for a few years, but gave up and bought some LFT-4's. Cute little speakers. I've heard the Sanders and loved them (the Sound Labs too), and am planning on hearing Roger Modjeski's ESL's with direct-drive tube amps (no power amp output transformers, no ESL input transformers!) real soon.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,204 posts
 

No offense taken ctsooner. Your point is a fine one, no argument from me. I guess I could have put imo after "the best speaker value in all of hi-fi", but I thought that was assumed! Of more interest to the op may be Harry Weisfeld's opinion of the LFT-8b.

The LFT-8b's only serious shortcoming is it's 8" dynamic woofer, but I don't use it. I use only the panels, with a pair of the Rythmik/GR Research OB/Dipole Subs in place of the stock woofers. I also use the subs with a pair of Quad 57's. Killer!  

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,204 posts
 
Everybody knows about and buys Magneplanars, and for good reason; they’re great and an excellent value, the best in a planar. EXCEPT for the Eminent Technology LFT-8b, the best speaker value in all of hi-fi. Just ask Harry Weisfeld of VPI, who described the midrange of the LFT-8 as the best he has ever heard, at any price. I wouldn’t go THAT far (the Quad 57’s are still unequalled in that regard), but for $2499/pr they can’t be beat. Add a pair of the Sound Anchor stands for a coupla hundred and you’re all set.
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