Newform research


I remember back in 1999-2002 all the buzz was about these ribbon/dynamic hybrids. What's happened to them? I know they're in business. I'm thinking of putting together a system for the basement. It would not be up to my reference rig but, that said it would be nice to have two great rigs for a change up from time to time. Anybody have any knowledge of them and how they compare to Maggies or Apogees? Also thought about some Eminent Technology LFT 8Bs. What's your opinion please? Thanks in advance.
philefreak
I also owned a pair of of 645s. I did expensive crossover upgrades and I still didn't care for them. I think my room was too small for the ribbon and bass to integrate right.
The ribbon sounded great though (maybe too fast for my taste the woofers couldn't keep up) I though it has good bass extension also.
I now own a pair of Eminent Tech. 8A ( will do the tweeter upgrade to 8b when funds allow). I enjoy these speakers much more. (the tweeter is not as clean fast the Newform - which probably will be alleviated with the 8b upgrade). They go lower and are very coherent. Not pretty to look at, but neither were the Newforms.
newforms are made to accomodate off access listening, so unlike apogees, etc. they do have a softer soundstage. that said, they are extremely balanced, and are very rare in the used market.
Here it is almost 6 years later. I have to agree about the integration problem, but I bought the 645 ribbons alone and paired them with SEAS EXCEL woofers and the integration is perfect. These sound better than my Quad ESL's and also my Maggies, and also... well, everything I've owned before.

Like Jeff said (more or less) the Newform ribbons are very special.