I forget when the LFM-1 started shipping, but I think it was early in 2004. I got mine about a year ago. Dr. Hsu was involved in the design. The LFM-1 and STF-3 have the same -2dB point of 25Hz and may even be using the same driver, but I think the LFM-1 has a different amp (325W instead of the STF-3's 300W).