2. speakers
  3. 184818-2248

Steve Guttenberg finally reviews the Eminent Technology LFT-8b loudspeaker.

 

Over the past few years I and a number of other owners of the Eminent Technology LFT-8b have on this site extolled the virtues of this under-acknowledged loudspeaker. I myself have encouraged those interested in Magnepans to try and hear the LFT-8 before buying. That is not easy, as ET has only five U.S.A. dealers.

I am a long-time fan of Maggies, having bought my first pair (Tympani T-I) in 1973, my last (Tympani T-IVa) a few years ago. But the Tympani’s need a LOT of room (each 3-panel speaker is slightly over 4’ wide!), which I currently don’t have. So I gave a listen to the MG 1.7i, and didn’t much care for it. As I recounted in a thread here awhile back, I found the 1.7 to sound rather "wispy", lacking in body and tonal density (thank you Art Dudley ;-).

Brooks Berdan was (RIP) a longtime ET dealer, installing a lot the company’s linear-tracking air-bearing arm on Oracle, VPI, and SOTA tables. After Brooks’ passing his wife Sheila took over management of the shop, continuing on as an ET dealer. I knew Brooks was a fan of the LFT-8, and he had very high standards in loudspeakers (his main lines were Vandersteen, Wilson, and Quad). The shop had a used pair of LFT-8’s, so I gave them a listen. They sounded good enough to me to warrant investigate further, so I had Sheila order me a pair, along with the optional (though nearly mandatory) Sound Anchor bases.

I wouldn’t waste your time if I didn’t consider the ET LFT-8b to be just as I have on numerous occasions (too many times for some here) described it: the current best value in all of hi-fi. Hyperbole? Well, you no longer have to take it from just me and the other owners here: Steve Guttenberg finally got around to getting in for review a pair (the LFT-8 has been in production for 33 years!), and here is what he has to say about it. After watching the video, you can read other reviews (in a number of UK mags, and in TAS by Robert E. Greene) on the ET website.

https://youtu.be/Uc5O5T1UHkE

 

 

128x128bdp24
john65b
12 posts
 

I have the LFT-6. They are tall -- taller than my Magnepans...trying to see if I can attach a pic

john65b
12 posts
 

They were purchased many years ago and currently in my storage area.

When I recived them, the two woofer panels (one each side) sounded odd - I was in contact with Bruce about replacing the mylar in the two lower woofer panels...other than that they are actually in great condition considering their age...

 

I am considering selling them as they are, or fixing the woofer panels and then selling. Bruce quoted the mylar replacements are around $300 each and not too complicated to replace - just as long as you know how to open the magnet units without smashing and injuring your fingers...and, of course, how to solder the leads (no issues for me)

john65b
12 posts
 

Just realized my typo in previous post...

ET LFT-6 (yes, the IV)

I have the VI, not the IV

 

bdp24's avatar
bdp24 OP
9,788 posts
 

Ah, okay @john65b, the confusion is cleared up.

I have a pair of the LFT-4, each of which contains two of the three LFT drivers the LFT-6 contains, with an integrated tweeter segment (the LFT-6 has two separate tweeters). If I wasn’t so far away from Chicago I’d snap up your 6’s!

john65b
12 posts
 

Ha! Thanks bdp24...

I will put them up once I replace the woofer mylar.

What do you think is a current good price for the fully operational? I see one in Italy selling for $2300 EURO just this past August, and one in 2019 for $2100...not much data out there...

 

More to discover