Electrostatics and tubes
I am looking to get some new to me speakers, I've been looking at options and would really like to try a set of planars "electrostatics". I have read or heard somewhere that as far as speakers go they tend to be inefficient (85 to 89) vs.90+(db) on the Klipsch or Dali's I've been tossing around as a standard speaker option. I guess my question is would I need to worry about any over heating issues. I plan on using plenty of power with a set of VTA, M-125's to power them. I am looking at a lower budget set maybe Martin Logan ESL 9's or Magnepan 2.7i . Just wondering I would hate to over heat a few hundred dollars worth of tubes if I don't need to. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ don't roast me to bad I cry easy 
thanks.
Steve Guttenberg followed up his review of the Eminent Technology LFT-8b with a review of the new LFT-8c. In the review he gives his opinion that the 8c is a significant upgrade from the 8b, and that he considers it superior to all Magnepan models, and all ESL's (of which he is not a fan). Here it is:
https://youtu.be/R4vC3V00-3Y?si=stiLs8kZ25TJhRsd
|
@bdp24 Steve also has a review stating how he doesn't like Electrostats.. |
Right you are @gumbedamit. He says the same in his reviews of both the LFT-8b and 8c. It can be argued that the opinion of ESL’s by one who doesn’t like ESL’s is of no value. Just as an opinion about a, say, horn loudspeaker by one who doesn’t like horns (I admit to being one such person) is meaningless. Still, I find it of interest that Guttenberg characterizes the sound of the ET LFT-8 (both b and c iterations) to have the best traits of both ESL’s (transparency) and planar-magnetics (very well known in the Magnepan designs), with less of their faults. I understand Guttenberg’s reservations about the ESL sound, though I don’t agree with his dismissal of the design. All speakers are a combination of strengths and weakness, and every listener must decide what his or her priorities are, and look for a speaker that provides he or she with the most of what they are looking for at a given price. I find the ET LFT-8 to offer a nice balance of attributes at a very modest price, and remain mystified that the speaker is not more well known and owned. It took Guttenberg 30 years to get around to reviewing the LFT8! Robert E. Greene also reviewed the LFT-8b in TAS, and there are several reviews in UK mags, all very enthusiastic. I encourage @hotrod6871 to consider the 8b ($3200) or 8c ($4500) before making a purchase.
|
@bdp24 I've owned Maggie's from MGIIIa's up to my current 20 1's. A friend of mine once owned a set of Acoustat Spectra 11's. I was amazed how well they imaged compared to my then MGIIIa's. The bass sucked, but the imaging was great. A few years ago I had the opportunity to get a set of Acoustat Spectra 33's and build on that. The larger panels and the seemless integration gave a much better sound over the 11's with increased imaging and bass response. I use a sub for the bottom end which helps with slam and SPL. Do they sound better than the Maggie's, no just different. FYI: I don't need a sub for my Maggie's. Enjoy the Music
|
