ESS Labs AMT
 

Just wondering if anybody has heard any of the newer versions? I see a lot of posts on forums where people recall of them fondly, but I rarely if ever see any posts around the net on them. I find it even more weird that most people are not even aware they have been back making speakers in the USA for at least 4 or 5 years at this point.

I've never heard them though (not even the older ones from the 70's era), but I find them fascinating as for one thing ~ they are super efficient @ 98dB so they can play with even flea watt powered amps and the frequency range of 30-23k +/- 3db is pretty good as well. They are made in the USA (not outsourced to you know where) and still come in at reasonable prices with their TOTL speakers coming in at around $4500 and while not cheap I think those are some pretty respectable prices for speakers these days (especially for being made here in California).

ESS Labs

I especially think the AMT Limited Edition are pretty cool looking!

They're playing the "hidden variable" game with the sensitivity. An un-assisted 12" woofer cannot exhibit 98 dB sensitivity with 2.83V/1m and still reach down to 30Hz in that size cabinet AND play nicely up past 800Hz which is the crossover point. Either that or the stated F3 is questionable. I'm not saying anything about the quality of the overall product, but I've studied T/S parameters and modeled tested lots of speakers over the years.

For what its worth, I heard the new ones at RMAF a year or two ago and felt that they were not well voiced (or well demo'd). They sounded bright and edgy to me.