Epos ES22

Bas,

I presume these speakers are s/h? I'm not up to date on the Epos range.

Following the 'free upgrades' theory, s/h products can often be sold again for nearly the same that you paid for them.

Thus if you buy the ES22s now (assuming that this is indeed a keen price, which I cannot comment on) you can then sell them again when you want to upgrade to Allaes at three times the price. Depending on your financial situation you may have to wait until someone buys the ES22s before you can afford the Allaes.

Note that trading the ES22s into the dealer in p/ex for the Allaes will normally lose you a shed-load of money, so doesn't count on this 'free upgrades' strategy.

BTW, you do need to be aware that speakers depreciate faster than electronic components, so you'd probably expect to loose a little on them. However, you've had the benefit of them in the mean-time, which must count for something.

Martin

I had (actually still have) a set of 22's fronted by a 52/135/CDS2. They worked quite well when set up properly. They're kind of like SBL's in that they are a real pain to sort out. 1"-2" can make all the difference. Don't worry about getting them too close to the back wall either they can get pretty close before they start to double. I understand that they were voiced using Naim kit.

Excellent PRaT, midrange is excellent too. The tweeter can be a little relentless on poor recordings (metal dome). These speaker are very revealing of poor sources, so be prepared. Bass is decent, very quick, but unfortunately not much lower than 50 Hz. I couldn't make them work with a sub either. The speaker are too fast for a decent sub matchup. The speed of these speakers is a bit intoxicating.

I have them on my 2nd system right now and still haven't stopped liking them. A little more bass and a silk tweeter and they would be perfect.

Arthur Bye

I forgot that I got mine new for $1,100US from Audio Advisor. When Creek bought out Epos they started discounting them sharply. You should be able to get them for a lot less than 1,000 lb.

Peter Chappell should be chiming in here as well. As I recall he's got a set of 22's and seems devoted.

Arthur Bye

Why would I want to change my Intro's for ES22's? Well, it's the upgradebug that's biting. I think I deserve to give myself a present right now and I think the 22's might be a good opportunity.
If this offer wasn't there, I'd probably buy me a decent support first, but I can't work that one out. I want a Fraim, without the name (and the price that comes with it...)! So for that one I have to save a little first.

Now, what's wrong with the Intro's? Considering their price, nothing. If not looking at their price, they can sometimes sound too much. For example, when Tool is in full flight, I have to turn the volume down as my ears start bleeding! I think the Epos might be better in this area, but space is a problem right now.
My present room is 4x4 (ex-student), but with the prospect of a good job, I think I'll be able to move within a year.
A couple of months ago, I was also offered some SBL's for 1000 Euro. They were in perfect shape. Should I consider these? Aaaaaaarrrrggghhhh, why does it never stop????????

Greetz, Bas

Hi Bas,

I have owned Epos 22s for the last 6 years and have been very happy with them. Do they rock? It depends on what you mean. They are extremely clean speakers which don't tend to add anythin which isn't in the recording. You won't get deep bass unless it is on the disc. When playing really lound from a good source you won't think that it is loud until you try talking to someone in the same room. So if you like a wall of sound tinged with distortion and artificial bass to create that rocking sound-you won't get it from Epos 22s. They are just too clean and accurate for that. I guess that's what people mean when they say they are ruthlessly revealing. This can have some consequences. When listening to Nick Cave's 'Let Love In' album the poor recording of some tracks becomes really apparent and it becomes a patchy experience, from lows to highs depending on the track. On the other hand, the highs from good sources are really high. You'll just have to suck it and see.

Cheers,
Jens

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your very detailed description of the 22's. Woooh, it gives me something to think about. Here goes:

"They don't work well on bare wooden floors, 'cos of cancellations from the 2 low-mid drivers being close to the floor sucking out the midrange (in fact neead HEAVY carpeting in front)."

I must put them on a wooden floor.... but there's a carpet (quite heavy) about 1 meter in front of them. Could that do?

"They need to be away from sidewalls 'cos that causes splash from the tweeters."

They will stand about 1 meter from the sidewalls, but not free. On the one side there's an open cupboard, on the other my tv.

"And I feel they need some acoustic dampening between on the rear wall to dampen echo/reflection from this."

Uh Oh, I have windows behind them. BUT, between the windows there's a big plant and my system.

"These speakers don't need artificial room help, they've got quite enough life on their own....that said I don't detect any "metal tweeter" limitations."

Aaaah, that would be nice!

"Their dynamic transient ability will excite resonances, so if your room's bright or got a slap echo or resonance problem they will exacerbate this big time. Hell for nasty ringy tubular metal equipment stands."

Noooooo, My room certainly has some echoing spots. When I clap my hands, it'll ring for a minute!

"I think you need to listen, and consider your lifestyle and what's practical for you...."

Wise man!

"A CDI/82/hi/180 might work, but there's a risk the respective limitations might compound a bit, hence I'm suggesting 250 first as a way of giving the system some extra "ease" economically. Then big bucks time comes with a cdx/xps."

My next upgrade would be a decent support (Hutter). I don't really feel much for going for an 82 right now. I still quite like my 102.

Well, do you think I should still have a go at them? I'm a bit worried right now...

Gretz, Bas

Bas,

Don't be worried. When I first bought the E22s I was running them with a 42.5/Hicap/110, and they sounded fine. I have even tried them with a Nait 1, and they still sound good. Of course Peter is dead right-they get heaps better as your gear improves, but that doesn't mean that they sound bad without the best of the best.

Cheers,
Jens

I'd save the pennies for SBLs or Allaes.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Okay, so I've heard the Epos ES22's. They sounded pretty okay. I guess they have more on offer than my Intro's. The sound was somewhat more controlled and wider. As the session was on Arcam first and Linn second, it's hard to tell what it would be on Naim, but I guess a lot better.

Okay, I can try them at home. BUT, now there's another problem. They are not exactly the color I hoped for and they have some external scratches. What would be a fair price then? Would it even be worthwile to try them at home considered their state? You never know what the previous owner has done to them. All my hifi-acquintainces are extremely careful with their stuff, so scratches are very rare.

Aaaarrrrggghhh, what to do?