Advent Bullnose (A3) VS EPI A120

[SFP]

The Advent’s have been refoamed and the cabs need some love.

The EPI look fab, but never been serviced.

Can get either for basically the same price ($240 CDN).

Have only ever heard the Bullnose’s IRL and that was 30 years ago but they seem to have a serious following.

So putting it out there to you pros.

Will be running a 40wpc to 50wpc amp and turntable. Mostly rock, metal and punk (but not abused).

Thanks in advance.

 

[malden]

I have a pair of Large Advents, OLA, and was never impressed with them. I also have a pair of EPI 100M which I was very much impressed with. If the A120's are anything like the 100M, then that would be my choice

 

[Guido57]

$240 CDN is currently about $180 US. A bit on the high side for either IMAHO, particularly as the Advent cabinets need work and the A120 is also not one of the "classic EPI speakers" in that it does not have Winslow Burhoe's module of 8" woofer with the inverted dome tweeter and I'm pretty sure it was designed after he left.. Thing is prices are variable depending on location and I'm not in your neighborhood.
Another thing to consider is whether the A120 is vinyl or wood veneer, that's a lot for vinyl clad speakers
Lots of people here at AK have a lot to say about EPI vs Advent, with lots of ill will to the Advents from EPI fans. To me they're equal but different with my preference being the Advents. They have different strong/week points.
In my experience the Advents are the more power hungry of the two, but 40 w/c is enough for moderate volume levels in a moderate size room.
That being said, refurbishing the EPI's will be easier than refinishing the Advents unless you are experienced in refinishing.
A couple of moderately priced caps and new surrounds for the EPI would set you back maybe another $50, just check back to AK with questions about the work if you go that route.

 

[mythless]

What do the cabinets on the Advent need? Are they in wood veneer? If everything is intact, and it just has scratches or small dents that doesn't go too deep, re-oiling them will do wonders. Of course, a sanding and oiling would be better but, you would be surprised a quick oiling will do wonders in the appearance.

 

[RTally]

I have a pair of OLA, fully restored, and a pair of EPI 120B, fully restored, in my garage. Not quite the same models as what you are asking, but very similar models.

My garage is not for critical listening. I do like to have sound while in my garage and driveway. I have one pair powered by a Yamaha RX-770 and the other by an Adcom 5300.

I compared the two pairs, switching them between the Yamaha and Adcom. They are close, but I prefer the EPI. The OLA goes a bit deeper, but the high end is lacking. I used to have a pair of NLA and got rid of them in favor of the OLA. The EPI 120B is an older version of the EPI A120. The inverted dome of the EPI 120B sounds so much better than the Advent fried egg tweeter. I listen mostly to rock (classic and modern) and some R&B. Both sets of speakers put out a lot of volume. The EPI, though, sounds better with more detail.

I still have both in my garage, but I plan on moving the OLA out soon. The EPI 120B are keepers.

 

[joelll]

The EPI A120 is a continuation of the 120, 120B, 120C series, with updated looks including the "red ring" inverted-dome tweeter. The Axxx speakers were sold starting around 1979, and my first pair of speakers were A70's. For a while, I had a pair of 120C's with the attenuator switch on the front, and the switch was continued on the A120. All of these speakers had a vinyl finish.

There's some small amount of academic debate over the different versions of the Epicure inverted-dome tweeter (early round masonite faceplate with ferrofluid, later masonite plate with ferrofluid, metal Epicure plate, gold rings, red ring. I've never been able to hear a difference.

I also had a pair of Original Large Advents for some time, but preferred the 120C's just a bit more.

For $180 US, I'd expect either pair of speakers to be in very good condition, though I'd also expect to have to replace the foam surrounds on the woofers.