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Advent vs EPI vs AR Vs Dynaco

timsclips

timsclips

Well-Known Member
Comparing 4 different 2-way speakers from the 70's era.
Large Advent
EPI 100
AR-4
Dynaco A-25
Which one would you build a vintage stereo system around? Current and previous owners would like to compare these models?

I have always felt that a good two way speaker answers most listener's needs and these four seem to be closely matched. Any brands or models left out, trying to keep prices close to the same?
 
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timsclips said:
Comparing 4 different 2-way speakers from the 70's era.
Large Advent
EPI 100
AR-4
Dynaco A-25
Which one would you build a vintage stereo system around? Current and previous owners would like to compare these models?

I have always felt that a good two way speaker answers most listener's needs and these four seem to be closely matched. Any brands or models left out, trying to keep prices close to the same?
Click to expand...

I have owned, Large Advents, EPI Micro Towers, AR2 and AR 2ax, and Dynaco A25. Of those I rank them in this order. A25, EPI, Advent and AR. None of these had been upgraded. All were stock. The only one of these speakers I would care to own again are the Dynacos. The most surprising were the EPI, they sounded much better than I thought they would.
If I were to build a nice small vintage system the Dynacos would be a contender. With a recap I could live with them for a long time.

cubdog
 
BTW, Advent 5002 were a later version of the NLA and were/are a far superior speaker IMO. They fly under the radar for the most part but would be worth searching out. Where in Illinois are you? If you're in north central Il. you are welcome to listen to my 5002s.

cubdog
 
Doing a search on the subject line as keywords should turn up all or, at least some threads on this same subject regarding these very popular 2-ways. It' comes up every so often.
 
I've owned all but the dynaco. My vote is epi, without a doubt... unless looks factor in, then the ar4 gets a bump up on the list. The problem with my vote is the lack of dynaco speaker experience. They are so highly-regarded on the net, that I'd assume they are top contenders.
 
Speaker sound is very subjective, so what sounds best to you might sound very different to someone else.

I've listened to Dynas and Advents, I own a pair of EPIs. The sound is similar wth all four, but there are differences. Like a previous poster, I think I'd put the A25 at the top, followed by the EPI and Advent, with the AR at the bottom - not because the AR is a lesser brand, but just a smaller model.

But that's my perception - yours may be different. No one can tell you what you like in a speaker; for all I know you might hate the Dynacos.
 
All are fine speakers and I'd recommend any of them to someone looking for an larger bookshelf speaker. I actually have a set of A25s and EPI 100s out in the garage and probably will bring them down here to see how they fare vs. the A7s, as while i do love their sound their footprint is a bit much..:yes:
 
I've heard all these before, and owned all but the Dynacos, but have not necessarily done a head-to-head.

Large Advent would probably be the most satisfying as a main speaker to me due to bass extension.

I'd probably think the EPI and, particularly, the Dynaco sounded better overall, though.

AR-4 would be the clear pass, due to the strength of the other candidates.
 
1) Advent (wood veneer, not vinyl cab)
2) Dynaco A 25
3) EPI
4) AR 4x

I have all four. 1 and 2 might be swapped depending on how important very low bass extension is to you.
 
cubdog said:
I rank them in this order. A25, EPI, Advent and AR. None of these had been upgraded. All were stock. The only one of these speakers I would care to own again are the Dynacos. The most surprising were the EPI, they sounded much better than I thought they would.
If I were to build a nice small vintage system the Dynacos would be a contender. With a recap I could live with them for a long time.

cubdog
Click to expand...

That would have been my guess. I've heard A25's and the Advents, and I'm familiar with the old-school AR sound (like the AR2ax), but I haven't heard that model, but yeah, the AR4x isn't in the same size/performance class as the others.

I actually want a pair of nicer Epi models. Something bigger though. But I'll probably buy a pair of 100's if I run into a super-cheap pair locally.
 
I had two pairs of NLA and two pairs EPI 100v and I prefer EPI.
I don't like NLA for some reason.
 
Another speaker that usually gets thrown into this conversation is the klh 17s. Very nice speakers. I had A25's and a pair of klh17s. The Dynaco were just a little bit better in my opinion. So I sold the Klh's to a friend and he loves them.

So in conclusion. Another vote for A25 and a nod to KLH17
 
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Susan, Denise, Rachel, or Amanda. AK.. Which girl should i take to the prom?
Even if someone could tell you, what if their taste is different than yours? I mean hell, some people actually eat bugs , yet no matter how much I hear about the benefits of adding some bugs as protein to my diet, im thinking.... NOPE!

Truth is you should be able to buy them all for less money than a single pair of Sonus Faber venere 1.5

Set them up...listen for a few weeks and sell off your least favorites.

As for the ladies... Date them all.... and then narrow it down to one.. Well unless you're in a state where the plural thing is accepted and the ladies are into it. :)
 
I've had AR4's, dynaco A25's and epi 100V's.
The Epi 100v's are bigger than the other 2, not a fair comparison ... but it trounces the rest to my ears.
Cool.
Srinath.
 
Just to throw something else into the mix...

What about the Boston A40? A classical design, arguably the heir to the AR/KLH sound.
 
There are some threads around here on the A-25 Vs the KLH Model 6. On the most part the preference was the Model 6. The 6's are a notch above the 17's. The best KLH two way is the 23's which is a notch above the 6. The KLH's are notorious for bad caps and needing the cloth surrounds redoped. Regardless of what you go with, a crossover recap and surrounds usually need attention. The A-25's have rubber surrounds so they should be good. Until I redoped the cloth surrounds on my 23's they didn't get me real excited. After redoping them, night and day difference. All the speakers on your list are very nice, but the KLH 6's and 23's should be added. My .02!
 
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