Eminent Technology LFT8B’s reversing woofer polarity


Hi,

I have a pair of the Eminent Technology LFT8B’s and read Dr. Robert E Greene review in the Absolute Sound magazine (2014 I believe) of the speakers where in the review he reversed the polarity of the woofers and said it made a significant improvement. He was going to give the speakers a mediocre review (his words) before doing this and after reversing the woofer polarity he then said they were significantly better and proceeded to give them a rave review. Have any LFT8B owners out there ever tried this? Thank you.

Scot
scothurwitz
Interesting question, @ledoux1238. If I didn't already have the Sound Anchor stands and like them as much as I do, the Townshend Podium option would be worth considering. I'm sure the lead shot-filled Sound Anchors stands are at least as non-resonant as is the plate of the Podium, and of far higher mass. My thinking is that the higher mass may provide a more stable platform for the high vertical center-of-mass of the ET panels. Another thought is that the SA stand bolts directly onto the bass bin of the LFT-8, with the Townshend Podium the latter just sits on the plate. Either choice will do nicely!
@bdp24 
Leaving the SA stands is probably the way to go with a bit more mass, as you say, at the bottom. How is the height of the Townshend pods affecting listening on the vertical axis? Do you need to change your chair / sofa height?  I find the ET’s particularly sensitive on the vertical axis. I sit low on a reclining chair while listening. And I find that tilting the ET’s 1.5 cm forward gives me the best soundstage and imaging. Adding the pods will raise the speakers quite a bit. 
Placement and the amplifier driving the 8 and 16 model ET speakers is key.  I've heard both speakers about ten times with some great amplifiers at a local dealer who's sold them longer than any other shop in the USA  ETs can sound incredible, deep bass, midrange, detail and smooth in the right setup. Can be really fun speakers to listen to.  
@ledoux1238: The Townshend Pods raise the height of the LFT-8 about 1.5" above that of the SA stands’ stock spikes. One reason I prefer planars is because of the higher image they create relative to most "box" speakers. I like looking up at the "stage", not down on it (as if from the balcony in a theater).

I sit in a low-back stuffed chair, my ears around 38" off the floor. The panel of the LFT-8 contains a pair of vertically-aligned---one above the other---m-p drivers, almost filling the entire 12" X 48" panel. The single ribbon tweeter which runs alongside those drivers is centered above the middle of the panel and the midrange/bass drivers, and is of course very limited in vertical dispersion. If your ears are below the tweeters radiation pattern, the rear of each speaker can be raised above that of the front, to aim the tweeters output a little downward. A couple of MDF or Baltic Birch blocks will do for testing, a set of BDR discs used permanently if you like (their 2-3/4" diameter is perfect for supporting the bottom of each pod. I use them between the Pods and my carpeted floor).
@bdp24 
Thanks for the BDR tip. I am sure I can source locally for something similar. The Townshend pods will be inserted sometime down the line.

There is a question about adding OB subs to the ET’s. I think you run GR Research servo subs and you do not connect to the ET’s woofers. You mentioned somewhere that the ET’s crossovers still engage the woofers even if they are bypassed. Have you tried to disengage the woofers from the crossover?