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Advent vs EPI vs AR Vs Dynaco

winters860 said:
OK, if we're opening up the field on New England 8-10" 2-ways, I'm going to vote Allison Six/CD-6. :D
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Yeah, if you're talking about bigger speakers, take a look at the various Wharfedale W60 models (W60, W60B, W60C, W60D, W60E). All are great speakers in their own way and can be had quite-cheaply, but each version is a little different from the one before it/after it (Put it this way, the original, first-generation W60 is a 2-way ported model with alnico drivers and a sand-dampened cabinet, but the last version, the W60E, is a 3-way sealed model with ceramic drivers and NO sand-filled dampening... Lots of changes along the way).

If I could only pick two versions, I'd probably go with the W60 (no letter) and the W60D. The W60D has the better extension of the two (It's got that purple dome-tweeter) and has an "East Coast meets British" sound, but the original 2-way W60 is straight-up British and much-more-indicative of the original, Briggs-era Wharfedale sound, so it depends on what kind of sound you want.
 
Out of the speakers on your list, the only ones I have actually owned are the Dynaco A25's and the Advents. Out of these two, my personal choice would be the Dynaco A25's. I personally would like to pick up a pair of EPI 100's, as I would really like to do a head-to-head comparison between them and the A25's.

Back a few months ago I posted the Consumer Reports articles from the early '70's that include these speakers. Here are the links if you are interested in reading them. The Dynaco A25's and the EPI 100's were both very highly rated speakers back in the day.

Consumer Reports - May 1970 - Loudspeaker Tests
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=484524

Consumer Reports - July 1973 - Loudspeaker Tests
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=486249

Consumer Reports - February 1976 - Loudspeaker Tests
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=489207
 
Speaker Choice

I owned the A-25s and gave them away in the 90s. I thought then that they were too laid back. In retrospect, I am sorry that I acted hastily. They were XLs that I bought new and were in near mint condition. An audio regret.
A factor to consider wih Epicure/EPI is that new, slightly improved (?) parts are available from Human Speakers, if you are inclined to make investments. I have completely rebuilt EPI 150s and 100Vs and Epicure 10s. Same basic module. Have had Human Speakers rebuild the drivers and installed them with new wiring, crossovers and terminals.
I use one set front and one back in one system. I very much enjoy them. With all new parts they should last the rest of my life.
I also have a pair of KLH 6s in a closet to someday recap and reseal the woofers. Then I will be able to make a fair comparison. My guess is that the EPI tweeters will be superior.
 
I am usually an AR guy, but the A25 would be my clear choice over the AR-4x (6 or 7), as well as the Advents. The EPI 100 is a very close second, imo.

Roy
 
I've owned all the speakers mentioned by the OP. I should add, however, that I've only used them with middling amplification in a large acoustic nightmare of a room that doubles as a storage and exercise area. And I've listened mostly while exercising, no less.

So-- bearing in mind the above limitations-- my ranking is as follows:

1. AR 4. (Actually, 4x, but close enough, right?)
2. Dynaco a-25
3. Epi 100
4. Smaller Advent

(Note: my list includes the Smaller Advent, not the Large Advent. This seems to me a fairer comparison.)

As to the question of which of these would be best to build a vintage system around I can't say I really know. I sorta think any of them would be fine.

Good luck
 
RoyC said:
I am usually an AR guy, but the A25 would be my clear choice over the AR-4x (6 or 7), as well as the Advents. The EPI 100 is a very close second, imo.

Roy
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Yeah, like I think someone else said, the AR2ax would be a better choice in a match-up with the A25.

The A25 sounds better than it has a right to, considering the small, vented cab.
 
Just updating the thread with my recent purchase off of CL of a pair of Epicure Model 10 speakers. As most here know basically the same as EPI 100 in a slightly more upscale box.
I thought for sure I was going to wind up with Advents as they outsold EPI by quite a bit meaning that there would be more available for discovery now.

The rubber surrounds should be replaced as they are torn on one of the speakers but otherwise they look quite nice for 30+ year old speakers. I will let you know how they sound once they are setup and connected to the KR-4400.
 
1tumbleweed said:
Just to throw something else into the mix...

What about the Boston A40? A classical design, arguably the heir to the AR/KLH sound.
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I am most familiar with the Large Advents, which are closer to the Boston A70 or A100 than the A40. I have a pair of A40's, and I like 'em. Peace and goodwill.
 
I was not very impressed with Large Advent's.I didn't care for the sound of the upper midrange.But I never heard any of the other speakers.Although I would love to especially the A25's.
 
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I have Advents, EPIs and the 4Xs. I can't imagine even considering the ARs unless the amp has way more pep than the others require. My 4Xs didn't start to sound decent until I used a Sherwood 100w amp, before that they were just OK, even recapped and redoped, they need some power. Without some decent power at low levels they just can't open up.
 
I've had two pairs of A25s as well as all the others you speak of and I liked them the best. I will say that the KLH Model 6 pair that I had was also better than all the others and just different than the Dynaco. Dynaco smoother and better treble detail but the 6s imaged beautifully and had good bass.

Funny thing is I picked up a pair of Dahlquist M905s and they were head and shoulders above all of the speakers in the conversation.

Enjoy

Eric
 
I've owned most of the speakers mentioned above. Would have to go with Dynaco A25s and an HK 430 or 730 if you're thinking "vintage" system?

But I would also say that the EPIs have got the high end all over the Dynacos, more resolution and detail. But the A25s have the bottom and nice vocals.

Both great classic speakers!

cnh2
 
I remember shopping most of those back in college but bought the EPI 150. The Dynacos were just too polite to my ears.

Since then, I've bought the original walnut Advents, had them refoamed and recapped, then used them at a girlfriend's for a donation.

Bought a new-to-me set of EPI 150s, recapped and refoamed, then added interior bracing, then used them at another girlfriend's for her place.

I'm still a big fan of the EPIs and love the dark walnut and brass accents of the 150 - for a speaker, it is as serious as the casket it resembles.
 
Of the original group, I have the 4x's. They shocked me at the amount of power they could swallow up, no distortion at all, and can go very loud for a speaker this size and sound great. Compared to my KLH 17's it's a toss-up, but cannot compare to my KLH 6's. This is where size does matter.

I have not heard the Advents or Dynaco's.
 
But with what amp? And which preamp? Synergy means a LOT. I've had all those speakers except the ARs, and each has in turn been used with different electronics as the flow of audio equipment has evolved (hopefully it's evolving....)

And I had recapped the crossovers of every one with film caps before evaluating. Had to, due to age. (I wish my ears had an XO that could be fixed so easily).

I've found something to love about every one of them. But none of them are in my system anymore. Memories? The Dynacos were the sweetest, the Advents had the best bass, the EPIs the best top end.

If I had to pick one of the 3 to reclaim, it would be the Dynacos. But they might get trashed by my KEF 103.2. Depending on the preamp/amp, of course. And what time of day, the weather, the season and my attitude at the time. It all factors in.
 
Own a pair of Klh 17,s nice speakers in a small area indeed . My advents are not going anywhere. To each there own ,sound wise
 
I have owned The large advents as well as the AR5 speakers, I can tell you that I preffered the AR's sound tremendously, the advents sounded dark to me.
 
Hey Now,

I have the Dynaco A25s and OLAs, along with larger EPIs M180 and M202. Overall I like the larger EPIs, but between the A25s and OLAs, for what I listen to (vocal, jazz, acoustic) I like the A25s.

--
Finest kind,
Chris
 
'Listening to "Twine Time" here in Austin, Tx (KUT 98.9) featuring some older soul music playing through a Sansui Six and Dynaco A25s. To me these speakers fit this style of music to a T. Plenty of bass, a fair amount of treble and a wonderful "smoky" midrange. Really takes me back to "that" sound of my Jr High days.

Gotta say that the OL Advents have superior bass but unfortunately just don't hold a candle in the midrange dept - even double "stacked Advents". I searched long for a receiver that would tame their brash upper midrange and was very pleased when I found the Nikko NR-815 did the trick. Still not a "sweet" sound but very pleasant none the less.

When I first got the EPI 100's I found them a little too bright for my taste. I originally bought the Sansui Six to go with the EPIs but found that combo way too bright (I have a "hard" listening area with hardwood floors and lot's of glass). Those are now powered by a Pioneer SX-727 and that's the best combo I've yet found. One thing I like about the EPIs is that they sound nice even when at low volume.

Unfortunately never have owned any ARs.

Back to the show. "If I could turn back the hands of time". Man, those were the days.
 
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