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

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

The EMP VT-40.2 hybrid tube amplifier and 41-SE/B Beryllium cone speaker system was truly a delight to review. Its ability to transform your PC desktop into a high end audiophile rig on a shoestring budget is without peer. The 41-SE/B speakers alone are worth the full price of admission of this system. The EMP sound continually seduces me to work longer at my desktop PC which is good for Audioholics but not so good when I am late to dinner. With my love of food equaling that of audio, that speaks volumes for just how good this system is. Considering their very liberal return policy, FREE 30 day home trial program and FREE shipping I can't say anything else other than hearty appetite as this is the meal your PC has been waiting for you to feed it. Once you dine on this system, you won't settle for fast food or crappy mediocre sound again.

Discuss " EMP VT-40.2 Tube Amplifier & 41-SE/B Speaker System Review" here. Read the article.

 

[jamie2112]

Thanks Gene,great review.I really want to know what was going on with the line level out and it being to hot for the powered subs.Did you try a few?Other than that it seems this is a winner.I was going to buy them when they were on sale but the wife nixed it...

 

[Adam]

Should the sale price be updated in the article? It says $595, but the "Buy it now" linked page says $749.

 

[gene]

hmm, looks like they recently raised the sale price. I fixed it in the review. I also knocked the value score down 1/2 point as a result thanks.

 

[gene]

Thanks Gene,great review.I really want to know what was going on with the line level out and it being to hot for the powered subs.Did you try a few?Other than that it seems this is a winner.I was going to buy them when they were on sale but the wife nixed it...

No I didn't try any subs but EMP acknowledged the gain is a bit high on the line level out. You can try using it, but I had better results speaker level with the Velodyne sub I used.

 

[majorloser]

Signature Edition EMP VT-40.2 Tube Amp

I'll see if I get enough time to post a couple pics of my setup. I still have to run the wires to the subwoofer this weekend. But I have had plenty of time listening to these babies, both at the Oregon GTG and now on my computer desk.

Even if you bought the setup and sold the amp, it would be well worth the cost. These little speakers are freakin' great! I had a long conversation with Shane Rich, VP for RBH/EMP and the primary designer for this setup. He stated that the hybrid tube amp was designed to help compressed music (mp3's) sound better and more natural. I have to admit, now that I've had plenty of time listening to this setup connected to my desktop computer (like right now), is seems to smooth out the rough edges with low sample rate mp3's. But the speakers are the real prize in the setup. They are extremely accurate and have outstanding imaging qualities. As Gene stated in his review, they seem to work best in a nearfield setting with a little bit of toe in. Just enough to get the tweeters pointed toward your listening area. I have mine angled just about 15 (ish) degrees inward. For me this happens to be perfectly placed so I can lean back in the chair and veg out to music (like now with Toto IV). It's a little tough at times since I end up leaning back listening to music and forgetting what I was typing (damn it, where was I). Normally I can't even get into the mood to type unless there's some music jamming in the background. My employees have learned that when I have music going in my office to leave me alone since it might be their report or evaluation I'm typing. But I rarely turn it up and just enjoy the music. I just need some rhythm to keep my thought flowing. So, of course at home I tend to do the same thing. But now it's actually gotten to where I get screamed at to turn down the music because I'm up late at night (on the Audioholics Forum) and listening to music or just cruising YouTube looking for music.

I had originally bought this setup to take to work thinking it would be a great conversation piece when people walk into my office and see those glowing tubes with blue LED's sitting on my desk. Then I'd crank up some music and blow their minds. But once I got this stuff unpacked at home and hooked it up I said to myself, "Screw work! This baby is staying home."

So now I have a new (old) JBL computer speaker setup in my office. And my employees are still impressed with the improvements in my office audio. They still leave me alone when I'm jamming, now with better speakers, but they don't know that all the while I'm just waiting to get home and kick back in my own desk chair listening to music that doesn't have to be "office friendly" and at volume levels I want.

And the best part....

it's actually just a little bit more enjoyable banning the latest crop of spammers.

Pictures to follow (if I can get off my butt and take them)

 

[jamie2112]

Come on Dave how bout some pics ............

 

[KEW]

Just to add another data point. I have the 41-SE/B speakers paired with a Martin Logan Dynamo (the sealed unit - ML has starting using the Dynamo name on several models) and they play very nicely together.
I like the idea of the super compact Velodyne Micro Vee that Gene used in his article, but at 12.9 x 11.7 x 13.9 inches the ML is still pretty compact. It is mind boggling to get this type of sound-field (substance and quality) out of such physically small speakers.

I'm not using the tube amp so cannot comment on how it works with the sub.

 

[majorloser]

Come on Dave how bout some pics ............

I told you I'd get around to it this weekend.

I decided to pair the set with the EMP E10s 10" subwoofer since I was able to hide it easier on the top of the cabinets. My 12" Canton sub, though it does pair better, was just too large to hide on the top. I also followed Gene's advice and by running the sub in parallel with the speakers. I tried using the 3.5mm output but didn't like how high the output level was set from the factory. I just didn't seem to work as well.

Oh, and just for Gene, my set is a "Signature Edition".

Eat your heart out.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Normally I can't even get into the mood to type unless there's some music jamming in the background. My employees have learned that when I have music going in my office to leave me alone since it might be their report or evaluation I'm typing. But I rarely turn it up and just enjoy the music. I just need some rhythm to keep my thought flowing. So, of course at home I tend to do the same thing. But now it's actually gotten to where I get screamed at to turn down the music because I'm up late at night (on the Audioholics Forum) and listening to music or just cruising YouTube looking for music.

I had originally bought this setup to take to work thinking it would be a great conversation piece when people walk into my office and see those glowing tubes with blue LED's sitting on my desk. Then I'd crank up some music and blow their minds. But once I got this stuff unpacked at home and hooked it up I said to myself, "Screw work! This baby is staying home."

I'd really like a little tube setup, but, trying to stop spending money for a bit.

So now I have a new (old) JBL computer speaker setup in my office. And my employees are still impressed with the improvements in my office audio. They still leave me alone when I'm jamming, now with better speakers, but they don't know that all the while I'm just waiting to get home and kick back in my own desk chair listening to music that doesn't have to be "office friendly" and at volume levels I want.

And the best part....

it's actually just a little bit more enjoyable banning the latest crop of spammers.

Pictures to follow (if I can get off my butt and take them)

Haha, I listen to music all day at work too. I have some Audiogon A2s, so not as nice as your setup, but it works since its mostly in the background. While I prefer listening to music on my home/main system, my little desk setup probably gets more use just because I'm there so much. So, I think its important to have a little setup at work/your desk/both/etc.

 

[jamie2112]

I love the booze above the computer.Thats just so when toolbags start posting Dave can get more relaxed and he doesn't even have to get up

 

[majorloser]

I love the booze above the computer.Thats just so when toolbags start posting Dave can get more relaxed and he doesn't even have to get up

Note the tequila and absinth are both up front for easy access.

 

[Adam]

Shouldn't that flag read "Remove before ban"?

 

[gene]

Oh, and just for Gene, my set is a "Signature Edition".

Very nice. I have those same signatures on my T30s

 

[jamie2112]

Very nice. I have those same signatures on my T30s

Oh you guys and your cool toys...........

 

[gene]

I have the 41-SE/B speakers paired with a Martin Logan Dynamo (the sealed unit - ML has starting using the Dynamo name on several models) and they play very nicely together.
I like the idea of the super compact Velodyne Micro Vee that Gene used in his article, but at 12.9 x 11.7 x 13.9 inches the ML is still pretty compact. It is mind boggling to get this type of sound-field (substance and quality) out of such physically small speakers.

You're sub is much better performance wise. I wanted something so small that it could be hidden under my desk behind my paper shredder. My office is only 10ft x 6ft so I didn't need much sub in here. Nobody even knows there is a hidden sub in my office. The system is a sleeper and I love it that way!

 

[majorloser]

Same here.

My sub is hidden on top of the cabinets in the back. Can't see it or tell where the bass is coming from. Just looks like the little bookshelves are hitting some low bass. I also don't have the sub turned up that much. Only enough to add some support on the lower end. Since Gene's graphs showed they start tapering off around 100Hz, that's where I set the sub's crossover point.

 

[KEW]

Dynamic range

Gene,
I am hoping you can provide some explanation of the "dynamic range" rating of 3 given for these speakers/amp.
Simply put, is this rating based on the included amplifier's limitation? Or, is it based solely on the speakers performance?
I have not, and do not expect to, find their max SPL (90dB peaks is as loud as I normally go), but I wonder if you got some sense of it. I do not see it in the EMP literature.
Thanks,
Kurt

PS: It is a different thing, but the "dynamics" of this speaker sound excellent to me. I don't know how to describe it, but the way a sound comes "out of nowhere" is different and decisively better than the Paradigm S1's (as an example which I have A-B'ed).

 

[gene]

Gene,
I am hoping you can provide some explanation of the "dynamic range" rating of 3 given for these speakers/amp.
Simply put, is this rating based on the included amplifier's limitation? Or, is it based solely on the speakers performance?
I have not, and do not expect to, find their max SPL (90dB peaks is as loud as I normally go), but I wonder if you got some sense of it. I do not see it in the EMP literature.
Thanks,
Kurt

Its based on the system as a whole. In a small room, dynamics are just fine but as I pointed out in my review, this system is lost in a large theater room like mine.

I recently added a powered sub and that has really rounded out the sound, something I recommend to all users. If you want to use these speakers in a large room, they need to be done so with a more powerful amp and bass management.

 

[majorloser]

I don't know how to describe it, but the way a sound comes "out of nowhere" is different and decisively better than the Paradigm S1's (as an example which I have A-B'ed).

That would be their ability to "image".

As somebody told me in rather casual conversation, "These speakers image like a maternal copulator."

So I would take that as a positive comment.