Disappointed with new EMP EF50T

[Gern Blanston]

Whew! Now I'm getting confused. I'll just hook up the bookshelves and compare them as Gene suggested.

Another quick example of my experience: while watching Lost, I noticed that the show's background music and sounds (like the ocean, wind, crackling fire) have lost most of their impact and presence, (i.e., I can barely hear them) as compared to my other trial speakers.

Thanks for the help and info. Sorry if I'm causing an argument.

I suppose that my only real point is that this pair of towers have much less clarity and detail (as, of course, perceived by me) than other similarly priced towers that I've tried in my setup. Hopefully, this pair is just defective.

I'm thinking that if Tom heard these in my room, he'd say, "dude, these are defective" or "dude, these just won't work in this room".

 

[gene]

Whew! Now I'm getting confused. I'll just hook up the bookshelves and compare them as Gene suggested.

Another quick example of my experience: while watching Lost, I noticed that the show's background music and sounds (like the ocean, wind, crackling fire) have lost most of their impact and presence, (i.e., I can barely hear them) as compared to my other trial speakers.

Thanks for the help and info. Sorry if I'm causing an argument.

I suppose that my only real point is that this pair of towers have much less clarity and detail (as, of course, perceived by me) than other similarly priced towers that I've tried in my setup. Hopefully, this pair is just defective.

I'm thinking that if Tom heard these in my room, he'd say, "dude, these are defective" or "dude, these just won't work in this room".

I understand your towers may be defective. How did the bookshelf's do in comparison? Also its possible these speakers are much less efficient than your others so you need to turn the volume control up higher to achieve similar SPL levels.

 

[Audioholics]

I asked before but it must have slipped by: Have you listened to all these speakers in the same room? Because what you are describing to me sounds more like your room than the speakers - assuming the speakers you have aren't malfunctioning.

I know you mentioned owning B&Ws (upstairs in a different room), however I'm trying to understand how you are comparing the EMPs to the Maggies, Yamaha YSP-900, Omni's, etc... The placement on each of these speakers is vastly different... Something's a little off.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Whew! Now I'm getting confused. I'll just hook up the bookshelves and compare them as Gene suggested.

Another quick example of my experience: while watching Lost, I noticed that the show's background music and sounds (like the ocean, wind, crackling fire) have lost most of their impact and presence, (i.e., I can barely hear them) as compared to my other trial speakers.

Thanks for the help and info. Sorry if I'm causing an argument.

I suppose that my only real point is that this pair of towers have much less clarity and detail (as, of course, perceived by me) than other similarly priced towers that I've tried in my setup. Hopefully, this pair is just defective.

I'm thinking that if Tom heard these in my room, he'd say, "dude, these are defective" or "dude, these just won't work in this room".

It seems this purchase has created a lot of stress for you. I would suggest returning them if that is still a possibilty and get a refund. You either have a defective speaker or you are not satisfied with their performance. Either way it seems like you might be questioning your purchase for as long as you own them. I'd say start over, and find something that you know you feel satisfied with. I hope you get this all straightened out....good luck.

 

[majorloser]

It seems this purchase has created a lot of stress for you. I would suggest returning them if that is still a possibilty and get a refund. You either have a defective speaker or you are not satisfied with their performance. Either way it seems like you might be questioning your purchase for as long as you own them. I'd say start over, and find something that you know you feel satisfied with. I hope you get this all straightened out....good luck.

I agree. He will never be happy and will always feel let down.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
There will never be a product that can make everybody happy.

I'm sure the guys at the Audioholics Store do not want you to feel pressured into keeping a product you are unhappy with. Ask for a return authorization today:
http://store.audioholics.com/page/returns

Send them back IMMEDIATELY. Do not delay before it becomes too late to return them.

 

[Gern Blanston]

I'm waffling on the return because it's such a good deal, and I feel like something must be wrong with this pair, or my room, because I respect the review. I really do want to like these speakers. I know that the Audioholics store will treat me right, so I'm not worried about that.

Clint, to answer your question, I've listened to all of these speakers in the same room with the same equipment, and the same settings. The placement has been largely the same with some experimentation with toeing in and spacing in relation to the TV and the back wall. Of course, the Yamaha sound bar went under the TV. I was able to compare the EMPs with the Mirages for a day, and the Mirages sounded bright and clear compared to the EMPs which sounded muddy. To be fair, the Mirages were kind of fatiguing, though. I'm going on memory in my comparison to the Maggies and the Yamaha.

The Magnepans had to be placed very specifically to get a proper soundstage ,which I didn't care for, but they sounded quite nice if you were in the sweet spot. The Mirages were much easier to place. I could never get the Yamaha sound bar to give much of a surround experience, and it never sounded particularly good in stereo, either. I brought my B&W DM303 bookshelves from my home theater room to try them out in the same space as the EMPs: I used cheap barstools for temporary speaker stands, and they still sounded richer, clearer, and fuller than the EMPs (sorry, that's my best stab at a description of what I'm hearing).

When I'm listening to the EMPs, I keep thinking, "they sound like big AM radio speakers" even with the volume turned up. It's kind of like listening while wearing ear muffs. I realize that we all have our preferences, but I'd be surprised if anyone thought that this particular pair in this room sounded good. The speakers might be defective, or they might not be right for this room. As many have stated, you never know for sure how a speaker will sound until it's in your space. (Room treatments are a no go, by the way: whatever I get will have to sound acceptable in the room as it is).

Again, thanks for all of the suggestions and help. This is a great site, and the store is being very helpful. I'll keep listening. Maybe they just need some more break in time.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Why don't you bring the same DVDs to a Best Buy Magnolia HT store and listen to their speakers.

Hopefully, Return Shipping for the EMP speakers are Free. In which case, just try another pair (w/ shipping cost waived).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Maybe they just need some more break in time.

I doubt it. If they sound bad today with everything hooked up right and placed correctly, they will sound bad forever.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I'm waffling on the return because it's such a good deal, and I feel like something must be wrong with this pair, or my room, because I respect the review. I really do want to like these speakers.

When I upgraded from my Cerwin Vega speakers to my Axiom speakers, I knew after a couple of hours of listening that the Axioms was the sound I was looking for and was happy with the purchase from the day I bought them and never regretted the purchase one bit. It is obvious that these speakers have not lived up to expectations and it is evident in the fact that you said you are "trying" to like them. This should not be the case. It is better to be safe than sorry and find something that you are 100% satisfied with. Everyone has different preferences, these might not be your cup of tea.

 

[Audioholics]

When I'm listening to the EMPs, I keep thinking, "they sound like big AM radio speakers" even with the volume turned up. It's kind of like listening while wearing ear muffs.

You need to return the speakers as there is clearly something wrong with them. Anything else is just you wasting everyone's time. Those speakers don't sound like AM radio or like you'd have earmuffs on.

Just return them immediately, or I'm sure we'll all be listening to yet another thread in a few weeks about how the Audioholics Store won't take your return because you waited too long.

 

[jamie2112]

Whats with the dropping the ball on this one? You need to stop asking opinions on this forum and send them back TODAY. If you wait to long they may not take them back. The only one who really matters is you and if you're not happy with them send them back and get a pair you like. Its not rocket science !!!

 

[MinusTheBear]

Your situation has 2 causes 1) The speakers are defective (most likely)
2) You do not like them.

Either way there is only ONE solution to this problem and MajorLoser said it best....

I'm sure the guys at the Audioholics Store do not want you to feel pressured into keeping a product you are unhappy with. Ask for a return authorization today:
http://store.audioholics.com/page/returns

Send them back IMMEDIATELY. Do not delay before it becomes too late to return them.

 

[TheFactor]

I would of sent them back already , they definitely sound like there defective speakers. Call them and find out your options. It sounds to me like your wearing out your trial period, sorry just my 2 cents and I wish you the best with your next set of speakers regardless of the make. Fortunately you bought them from a reputable place like Audioholics and it appears there more than willing to take care of you if you dont wait to long and wear out your welcome

 

[gene]

I'm waffling on the return because it's such a good deal, and I feel like something must be wrong with this pair, or my room, because I respect the review. I really do want to like these speakers. I know that the Audioholics store will treat me right, so I'm not worried about that.

Clint, to answer your question, I've listened to all of these speakers in the same room with the same equipment, and the same settings. The placement has been largely the same with some experimentation with toeing in and spacing in relation to the TV and the back wall. Of course, the Yamaha sound bar went under the TV. I was able to compare the EMPs with the Mirages for a day, and the Mirages sounded bright and clear compared to the EMPs which sounded muddy. To be fair, the Mirages were kind of fatiguing, though. I'm going on memory in my comparison to the Maggies and the Yamaha.

The Magnepans had to be placed very specifically to get a proper soundstage ,which I didn't care for, but they sounded quite nice if you were in the sweet spot. The Mirages were much easier to place. I could never get the Yamaha sound bar to give much of a surround experience, and it never sounded particularly good in stereo, either. I brought my B&W DM303 bookshelves from my home theater room to try them out in the same space as the EMPs: I used cheap barstools for temporary speaker stands, and they still sounded richer, clearer, and fuller than the EMPs (sorry, that's my best stab at a description of what I'm hearing).

When I'm listening to the EMPs, I keep thinking, "they sound like big AM radio speakers" even with the volume turned up. It's kind of like listening while wearing ear muffs. I realize that we all have our preferences, but I'd be surprised if anyone thought that this particular pair in this room sounded good. The speakers might be defective, or they might not be right for this room. As many have stated, you never know for sure how a speaker will sound until it's in your space. (Room treatments are a no go, by the way: whatever I get will have to sound acceptable in the room as it is).

Again, thanks for all of the suggestions and help. This is a great site, and the store is being very helpful. I'll keep listening. Maybe they just need some more break in time.

It boggles my mind that you haven't tried the bookshelf speakers despite I suggested it in at least 3 posts now. Again if the bookshelf speakers sound significantly better than it proves the floorstanders are defective.

In any case, simply send the system back as I am sure the Audioholics store will treat you fairly. Continuing to drag this thread on and deface a product solely b/c its likely to be defective does no good for anyone. The Audioholics e-store has sold numerous EF50T systems without a single complaint or return which again indicates to me you have a defective pair.

 

[TLS Guy]

I should add that I didn't go with a more full range tower because my wife has strict decor objectives. I'd love big, full range towers, but she won't go for that.

Get her trained! Tell her she can't change the laws of physics.

 

[mike c]

Gern Blanston, either:

do what Gene suggests with the bookshelf thing.
or
return the set to the AH store and have THEM check it for defects.

(i know it's been said before, but i thought it was worthy of reiteration and a little bigger font)

 

[bandphan]

Gern Blanston, either:

do what Gene suggests with the bookshelf thing.
or
return the set to the AH store and have THEM check it for defects.

(i know it's been said before, but i thought it was worthy of reiteration and a little bigger font)

WHAT

 

[TheFactor]

Gern Blanston, either:

do what Gene suggests with the bookshelf thing.
or
return the set to the AH store and have THEM check it for defects.

(i know it's been said before, but i thought it was worthy of reiteration and a little bigger font)

I cant hear so good can you put that in braille for me please and ya what Mike C says : )

 

[Gern Blanston]

I hope that I've been civil here. This was a significant purchase for me, and I was just trying to get some help. I thought that these discussions were for talking about our experiences, good or bad, and getting help. I'm not trying to deface anything: I was just giving as honest of an assessment as possible to get some help. If this went too long, I apologize, and I ask your forgiveness. I'm sure that this is a wonderful product, and all of the other customers are enjoying them immensely. I'm so sorry for wasting everyone's time, and I will take greater care in posting in other future discussions. I hooked up the bookshelves last night, and they sounded better than the towers. I put in a return request last night just 5 days after receiving them, so I won't be starting any threads complaining about not being able to return them because I waited so long.

You've given me great help, and I thank you very much. Take care.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I hope that I've been civil here. This was a significant purchase for me, and I was just trying to get some help. I thought that these discussions were for talking about our experiences, good or bad, and getting help. I'm not trying to deface anything: I was just giving as honest of an assessment as possible to get some help. If this went too long, I apologize, and I ask your forgiveness. I'm sure that this is a wonderful product, and all of the other customers are enjoying them immensely. I'm so sorry for wasting everyone's time, and I will take greater care in posting in other future discussions. I hooked up the bookshelves last night, and they sounded better than the towers. I put in a return request last night just 5 days after receiving them, so I won't be starting any threads complaining about not being able to return them because I waited so long.

You've given me great help, and I thank you very much. Take care.

You do not have to apologize for anything or "take greater care in posting in future discussion". You paid for these speakers with your hard earned money, you own them (as of this moment) and that entitles you to say whatever you want about them. I think returning these is the best thing for you, good luck in finding new speakers. Cheers!