EMP E55Ti Thoughts!!!

[ahblaza]

Hello to all,
I'm real close to pulling the trigger on the EMP E55Ti's and would be crossing them over to my Epik Legend sub. I would have them placed about three feet from back of speaker to front wall and two feet from side treated walls. My question is will bringing these speakers out into the room as I mentioned lose some of the bass capabilities being rear ported, or is this a stupid question? I have my original Athena F2's setup this way and I am happy with their SQ being front ported. For now they will be driven with an external amp preout from my receiver, (EMO UPA-2). I would really appreciate an honest answer (that's what I usually get here at AH) would the EMP's be a substantial upgrade from the Athena F2's? Thanks all for your time, I value your opinions and look forward to your replies.
Jeff

 

[GranteedEV]

I'm real close to pulling the trigger on the EMP E55Ti's and would be crossing them over to my Epik Legend sub. I would have them placed about three feet from back of speaker to front wall and two feet from side treated walls. My question is will bringing these speakers out into the room as I mentioned lose some of the bass capabilities being rear ported, or is this a stupid question?

THe speakers are recommended for 17 inches from-wall - that's probably what RBH designed the speaker's BSC for. 3 feet is a bit further, so you may lose a bit of bass but it'll be so insubstantial that it's not even worth fretting over - these things can handle power pretty nicely.

Besides that, away from the wall you'll get a deep soundstage and tonnes of output from both the bass drivers and the ports. Combined with your Epik Legend, you're not going to be starved of bass!

Would the EMP's be a substantial upgrade from the Athena F2's?

You may find, as I did, that the sonic signature of these speakers is very different from what you're accustomed to for the most part, - more natural and laid back up top - but ultimately I felt satisfied.

 

[ahblaza]

THe speakers are recommended for 17 inches from-wall - that's probably what RBH designed the speaker's BSC for. 3 feet is a bit further, so you may lose a bit of bass but it'll be so insubstantial that it's not even worth fretting over - these things can handle power pretty nicely.

Besides that, away from the wall you'll get a deep soundstage and tonnes of output from both the bass drivers and the ports. Combined with your Epik Legend, you're not going to be starved of bass!



You may find, as I did, that the sonic signature of these speakers is very different from what you're accustomed to for the most part, - more natural and laid back up top - but ultimately I felt satisfied.

Thanks Grant for your responce, with the placement issue resolved, I have one less reason for not buying them! I really like my Athena F2's, I've adding some good damping material and some braces improving the slight boom and cabinet resonances, but they are over six years old and thinking with the current speaker offerings out there and new driver technology I could get better without breaking the bank. I realize price is sometimes associated with how the speaker will sound but mostly not. The EMP'S are right in my $800 to $1200 budjet. There are quite a few speakers that fall into my budjet, so I'm buying on user reviews without hearing or seeing. At this price point I need to know if it will be a significant upgrade over the Athena F2's. It does not have to be a night or day difference, just significant. I've been saving a long time for a speaker upgrade and want to get the most for money spent with no regrets. PSB T6's have also been a consideration, but the review here at AH really attracted me to the EMP's, I'd like to hear from other E55Ti owners so that I can solidify the purchase. Thanks Grant again for your help and look forward to any thing else you may have to add about these speakres.
Jeff