EMP VT-40.2 Tube Amplifier & 41-SE/B Speaker System Review

[magic12kenneth]

Kew,

I have listen to Salk Songtower and I love them. But I need a small monitor for my bedroom listening now. If my bedroom dimension is 14x16x14, would this speaker create an enough sweet spot for two or three person sitting the center?

Note: I didn't realize there was a thread here. So I post it again here. Thanks.

Ken

 

[KEW]

Kew,

I have listen to Salk Songtower and I love them. But I need a small monitor for my bedroom listening now. If my bedroom dimension is 14x16x14, would this speaker create an enough sweet spot for two or three person sitting the center?

Note: I didn't realize there was a thread here. So I post it again here. Thanks.

Ken

Ken,

I have no reservation about the sweet spot of the 41-SE/B's being wide enough for 3 people in any normal configuration (you're, say, at least 8' away from the speakers).

That said, your room is pretty large at 3136 cu. ft. and I'm thinking you may push the limits if you listen loud and plan to use the tube amp for power and no sub to carry the bass.
This is admittedly speculation on my part, but I would guess either adding a sub or swapping to a more powerful amp would give you fuller sound in your bedroom. My own preference would be to add a sub.
They are exceptional speakers!

 

[gene]

I have listen to Salk Songtower and I love them. But I need a small monitor for my bedroom listening now. If my bedroom dimension is 14x16x14, would this speaker create an enough sweet spot for two or three person sitting the center?

Note: I didn't realize there was a thread here. So I post it again here. Thanks.

Ken

Ken;

You absolutely need a powered sub to compliment the 41-SE/B's if you plan on putting them in a room that large. Also they were meant to be placed near a wall for added boundary gain so if you place them too far from the back walls you may find the mid bass to be a bit lacking. Placed on a desktop, you simply cannot find a better sounding speaker IMO. But placed in a room, they need some bass boost and the tube amp doesn't have sufficient power for a large room.

You may wish to call EMP and see if they can make you a version with the standard non phase plug aluminum driver should you plan on using them in a big room with no sub. Good luck.

 

[KEW]

Ken,
If I read Gene's post correctly, he is saying that you really need to do both (bigger amp and sub) in a room as large as yours. I would certainly defer to his experience and judgment.

Also, I believe Gene is using the tube amp in his system, so he has a much better perspective of its capabilities (I really never used the tube amp).

Right after I bought the combo, I ran the 41-SE/B's using the tube amp in my 5,000 cu ft living room as a quick test. The little guys ran loud and clear. I didn't expect to hear much bass, and was surprised to hear as much as I did, but that doesn't mean the bass was sufficient. I knew I would pair them with a sub, so didn't give it much thought.

Though I ultimately plan to move the 41-SE/B's to my office, I am currently running them in my 3024 cu ft bedroom using both, a more powerful amp and subwoofers. The speakers are out about 6" from the rear wall. This works well for me. HTH.

Gene,
Does EMP's normal aluminum driver offer more extension? more SPL? or something else?

 

[magic12kenneth]

hanks guys for the suggestions.

I will definitely going to get a subwoofer with the speaker. This is an apartment and the walls and windows leaks sound pretty bad. Therefore, most of the time, I will be listening in mid to low volume.

Is low volume listening has a similar sound quality when listening in normal volume?

What are some good small amplifier that match this speaker? I'm thinking about Virtual Audio's amplifier.

There is another speaker from a small company designed by Geddes using waveguide. There are lots of rave reviews about it. It includes room correction that created some of the best imaging, dynamics and soundstage. I was going to buy one of his speaker until I find the EMP speaker from one of your review. This is more suitable for me until I move out with a house. Homepage: gedlee.com

If this speaker sounds so good... I hope EMP will upgrade it in the near future to make it even better. Or build a bigger size speaker for mid to large room. I was wonder if they include a DSP crossover with frequency and phase response correction, this will be one awsome speaker. Something similar to NHT XD in passive but not active.



Ken

 

[gene]

Gene,
Does EMP's normal aluminum driver offer more extension? more SPL? or something else?

You lose some cone surface area with the phase plug which on an already small driver means you also lose some efficiency at the lower frequencies with the phase plug driver. The advantage of the phase plug driver however is it will play higher, have less beaming and simply provides stunning clarity in the vocals.

I forgot to mention my large theater room is acoustically treated which is partly why that tube amp didn't produce satisfactory SPL for me. The speakers were also 15ft from my listening area. The amp may suffice for most listeners in largish rooms. I am just offering a precaution to be aware of.

This system in a small office is simply unbelievable. I will warn you however that its highly addictive. I listen to music all day long while I work which was something I have never done before getting a hold of this system.

 

[majorloser]

Personally I'd rather RBH just release a larger speaker with larger berylium drivers.

But that would be the same as a new Status Acoustic series.

(someday it may happen)

 

[KEW]

hanks guys for the suggestions.

I will definitely going to get a subwoofer with the speaker. This is an apartment and the walls and windows leaks sound pretty bad. Therefore, most of the time, I will be listening in mid to low volume.

Is low volume listening has a similar sound quality when listening in normal volume?

What are some good small amplifier that match this speaker? I'm thinking about Virtual Audio's amplifier.

There is another speaker from a small company designed by Geddes using waveguide. There are lots of rave reviews about it. It includes room correction that created some of the best imaging, dynamics and soundstage. I was going to buy one of his speaker until I find the EMP speaker from one of your review. This is more suitable for me until I move out with a house. Homepage: gedlee.com

If this speaker sounds so good... I hope EMP will upgrade it in the near future to make it even better. Or build a bigger size speaker for mid to large room. I was wonder if they include a DSP crossover with frequency and phase response correction, this will be one awsome speaker. Something similar to NHT XD in passive but not active.



Ken

Do you have a link on the Virtual Audio Amp?

Since the tube amp comes with the speakers, give it a shot before you buy anything else. It is a pretty cool unit.

Gene makes a good point. His HT room is treated with sound absorbent materials. Also, since you are listening at low to mid levels, I really don't think you will have an issue and, if you do, it won't be so bad that you can't live with it until you find a replacement amp.

If/when you get a replacement amp, I would look for something with bass management. Off loading the deep bass from the 41-SE/B's can't hurt.

What sub?

 

[magic12kenneth]

Do you have a link on the Virtual Audio Amp?
What sub?

Ooops.. I meant Virtue Audio (virtueaudio.com) I haven't decided which model to buy from Virtue Audio yet. I need to do some research on that. That's great suggestion. I'm not sure if Virtue Audio have the bass management feature built-in any of the amplifier. Unless going with the receiver route.

As for the sub, my choice would be Martin Logan Dynamo or the TBI sub that I just read.

In your review on the TBI sub, you mention there is brightness with EMP 41 Speaker. What is the reason that causing it? I wanted to make the speaker isn't fatigue. Any thought on this would be appreciate.

Has anyone listen to the new Gallo Reference Strada? This was also one of my choice but the imaging was lacking from their previous model.

Ken

 

[KEW]

In your review on the TBI sub, you mention there is brightness with EMP 41 Speaker. What is the reason that causing it? I wanted to make the speaker isn't fatigue. Any thought on this would be appreciate.

Ken

I attribute the brightness of the EMP's to their room which was bare walls except for Glass/plastic covered pictures. Obviously, I cannot say how they would sound in your room. I have listened to the EMP's in my Living Room, Bedroom, and Office and did not have this sense of brightness. My rooms all have curtains and carpeting (either wall to wall or a large rug), but I would generally consider them acoustically "live".
Since I have been listening to the EMP's side-by-side (I still have all the gear, so I use it) with the Paradigms, Salks, and Focals, I would have noticed any significant differences in the high end. The EMP's don't have quite the air or extension of the beryllium or ribbon tweeters, but we are really talking on the edge of perception.

 

[magic12kenneth]

That makes lot of sense base on the setting and design of the room. Thanks again for the insight.

Ken

 

[highfigh]

If the line out is too hot, why not put a voltage divider on it?

 

[pixelphoto]

VT-40.2 Tube Amp - Tube biasing?

I'm just beginning to understand tubes and have a question about tube biasing
on the VT-40.2. I just read the reviews and owners manual and there is no mention of biasing. Don't tubes have to be biased?

Also I have Definitive Technology STS speakers which has built in powered subs. The efficiency rating is 93db. Compaired to the Cayan T-50 with 35 watts
(not normally used in desktop system) it appears that the VT-40.2 with 40 watts/8 ohms (which seem to be pushed for a desktop system) should drive my speakers. I'd appreciate constructive advise as to wither the VT-40.2 would be a good way to get my feet wet in tubes inexpensively.

Marvin

 

[raynist]

I know this is an old thread but it looks like these have been discontinued. New model as an aluminum woofer. Wonder if they sound the same?

 

[KEW]

I know this is an old thread but it looks like these have been discontinued. New model as an aluminum woofer. Wonder if they sound the same?

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/895557-post77.html