We have a winner!!!
I got back from our vacation yesterday and lo and behold the Epic 2’s arrived. While I was not happy with the time it took MD to get them to me, all was forgiven once I hooked them up last night.
I bought these on the basis of a demo of the Epos M12.2’s at a local shop. While ImcLoud sang their praises, I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about how they would sound. Would they be as sharp & dynamic as the M12.2’s? Would they fill the room (15’x15’) with enough of a soundstage and image as well, since the demo room (8’x10’) was smaller and had acoustical panel’s to perfect the speakers delivery, something that the Winter Quarters don’t possess at all? The answer is yes to all of the above. Right off the bat I noticed that these speakers had more than enough bass, a hell of a lot more than the M12.2’s. Integrating the Athena P1 sub, at 20% volume, only seemed to enhance it.
While the upper end is not as sibilant at the M12.2’s, they are very crystal clear and I actually prefer it. One of the reasons I didn’t purchase the M12.2’s that day was that I was afraid of ear fatigue; I will be spending most of the upcoming season up there in 5 to 8 hour stretches. Another bonus I wasn’t expecting was how fantastic they sound at low volumes, since I’ll be spending more time there in the evenings as well, when the wife comes home. Just in case you’re wondering, I turned up the volume on the Yamaha RX-V2600 to 20dB, which I normally never ever do, and they didn’t even break a sweat. I came very close to purchasing a pair of Dynaudio Excite X-12’s at World Wide Stereo for $1200 after a demo 3 months ago and I’m glad I didn’t. Some people will think I’m delusional but I think they sound just as good, if not better, as the X-12’s; keep in mind I’m 58 and attended well over 200 concerts in my time. It could be my wallet talking but I wouldn’t hesitate for a minute in recommending the Epic 2’s, when it comes to the sound and the looks, as compared to the X-12’s. I also have to add that at $750, AVR, speakers (L-R-C-Sub), I am happy as a pig in you-know-what. I have yet to watch/listen to a DVD with the existing Polk CS-2 center, so possible fine tuning (another center or the single Canton Ergo RC-K bookshelf with a dead tweeter I bought for $60; I’m hoping the Vifa replacement tweeter ($28) from Parts Express does the trick) may be needed. It’s a great start though, since music is more important to me than HT.
Thanks again to ImcLoud and everyone else here for your suggestions. If there is a better sounding bookshelf speaker for $400 a pair, I haven’t heard it and I highly recommend the Epos Epic 2’s.
P.S. the Topping TA2022 is on my radar and it’s only a matter of time. I’m hoping to get some dual usage out of it for my bedroom & as a portable device out on the deck with my Athena AS-B2-1/Epos Epic 2/KEF LS50 speakers for parties.
