Macca
28-08-2023, 11:07
Reviewed in HiFi Newz:
https://www.hifinews.com/content/epos-es14n-loudspeaker
https://i.ibb.co/HddxjBn/epos-es14n-lautsprecher-stereo-72653.jpg (https://ibb.co/3zzMn4B)
My first reaction was 'They're a bit pricey!' - £3750
Of course it is 40 years since they came out so that needs to be taken into account. However consulting my trusty buying guide from the February 1990 edition of WTF? I see that the RRP back then was £385
The BOE inflation calculator reckons that is £965 in 2023 bunce. So yes, even accounting for inflation, these new versions are in a different price bracket to the old ones.
I come clean and say I never liked the old ones. They were toppy and a bit rough round the edges. They were better than the Linn Kans that many people upgraded to them from so maybe that accounts for their popularity? Along with some 'Cult Of The Designer' stuff the mags whipped up around Robin Marshall since he was keen to give interviews to anyone and everyone.
On the plus side the new ones do measure a lot better than the old ones. HFN measurements are a bit crude but can be compared to these Stereophile measurements of the old ones, (for those who take an interest in such things) https://www.stereophile.com/content/epos-es-14-loudspeaker-measurements
One big difference is the new version is not as sensitive as the old version, about a 3dB difference which is twice the amplifier power for the same volume.
Designer seems to have made the choice of reducing efficiency to get flatter response. Maybe not a good idea back in 1983 when watts were expensive and we all thought a 50 watt amp was a powerhouse, but nowadays watts are much cheaper.
They look pretty good. Don't think I would personally spend that kind of money for a small-ish two way but there it is.
https://www.hifinews.com/content/epos-es14n-loudspeaker
https://i.ibb.co/HddxjBn/epos-es14n-lautsprecher-stereo-72653.jpg (https://ibb.co/3zzMn4B)
My first reaction was 'They're a bit pricey!' - £3750
Of course it is 40 years since they came out so that needs to be taken into account. However consulting my trusty buying guide from the February 1990 edition of WTF? I see that the RRP back then was £385
The BOE inflation calculator reckons that is £965 in 2023 bunce. So yes, even accounting for inflation, these new versions are in a different price bracket to the old ones.
I come clean and say I never liked the old ones. They were toppy and a bit rough round the edges. They were better than the Linn Kans that many people upgraded to them from so maybe that accounts for their popularity? Along with some 'Cult Of The Designer' stuff the mags whipped up around Robin Marshall since he was keen to give interviews to anyone and everyone.
On the plus side the new ones do measure a lot better than the old ones. HFN measurements are a bit crude but can be compared to these Stereophile measurements of the old ones, (for those who take an interest in such things) https://www.stereophile.com/content/epos-es-14-loudspeaker-measurements
One big difference is the new version is not as sensitive as the old version, about a 3dB difference which is twice the amplifier power for the same volume.
Designer seems to have made the choice of reducing efficiency to get flatter response. Maybe not a good idea back in 1983 when watts were expensive and we all thought a 50 watt amp was a powerhouse, but nowadays watts are much cheaper.
They look pretty good. Don't think I would personally spend that kind of money for a small-ish two way but there it is.