EPI 100 or Dynaco 25?

[rusomon]

Thanks, JimmyEJames, for setting me straight in your post (#9) on so many of the errors in my post (#7). So, along those lines:

1) When I said the four speakers I brought up were "well-constructed," what I really meant was that some of the drivers involved were inferior (or superior, I'm not sure which) to the others.

2) When I mentioned those four speakers to the OP it was actually with the intention of telling him which speakers "to buy from classic list," and in no way was it a reply to his request for "other models of speakers that might pair well" with his CR-620. (Read post #1-- all the way to the end.)

3) When I said I wouldn't make any claims as to which of the four speakers was "the best or worst of the lot," what I should've said was that Dynaco, based on "woofer physics" alone, was the "easy choice".

4) When I made the assertion that all four speakers were easy to drive it would've been better if I'd excluded the AR 4x and its 15 watt minimum power requirement from any group of speakers with minimum power requirements ranging from 12 watts (Epi), to 15 (Advent), to 20 (Dynaco). 15 is bigger than 20, therefore the 4x is harder to drive than the Dynaco. I stand corrected, sir. All those folks who back in the day paired AR-4xs with entry-level-- and lower powered-- amplification and thought the combination sounded as good as-- if not better than-- other speakers in the same class, well, those people were clearly schmucks. Duly noted.

Seriously, JJ, it's fine to have opinions and perfectly acceptable to try to rebut statements made by other people when they've actually made those statements.
What I would suggest-- and I mean this with no disrespect-- is to slow down a little, read, consider, cogitate just a little, then reply.

Good luck.

 

[JimmyEJames]

Thanks, JimmyEJames, for setting me straight in your post (#9) on so many of the errors in my post (#7). So, along those lines:

1) When I said the four speakers I brought up were "well-constructed," what I really meant was that some of the drivers involved were inferior (or superior, I'm not sure which) to the others.

2) When I mentioned those four speakers to the OP it was actually with the intention of telling him which speakers "to buy from classic list," and in no way was it a reply to his request for "other models of speakers that might pair well" with his CR-620. (Read post #1-- all the way to the end.)

3) When I said I wouldn't make any claims as to which of the four speakers was "the best or worst of the lot," what I should've said was that Dynaco, based on "woofer physics" alone, was the "easy choice".

4) When I made the assertion that all four speakers were easy to drive it would've been better if I'd excluded the AR 4x and its 15 watt minimum power requirement from any group of speakers with minimum power requirements ranging from 12 watts (Epi), to 15 (Advent), to 20 (Dynaco). 15 is bigger than 20, therefore the 4x is harder to drive than the Dynaco. I stand corrected, sir. All those folks who back in the day paired AR-4xs with entry-level-- and lower powered-- amplification and thought the combination sounded as good as-- if not better than-- other speakers in the same class, well, those people were clearly schmucks. Duly noted.

Seriously, JJ, it's fine to have opinions and perfectly acceptable to try to rebut statements made by other people when they've actually made those statements.
What I would suggest-- and I mean this with no disrespect-- is to slow down a little, read, consider, cogitate just a little, then reply.

Good luck.

Hello rusomon!
I am not able to understand any of this post you write above I did go and look at my post number 9 and I say that I agree with you on most of what you write I also just say poster not ask about other speakers that IS mistake by me now that I review but rest is just fact about driver quality for you to behave like insulted tizzy beyond my understanding
I really do not know what you are upset or talking about but if it my fault sorry
Have good evening
JJ

 

[JimmyEJames]

Thanks, JimmyEJames, for setting me straight in your post (#9) on so many of the errors in my post (#7). So, along those lines:

1) When I said the four speakers I brought up were "well-constructed," what I really meant was that some of the drivers involved were inferior (or superior, I'm not sure which) to the others.

2) When I mentioned those four speakers to the OP it was actually with the intention of telling him which speakers "to buy from classic list," and in no way was it a reply to his request for "other models of speakers that might pair well" with his CR-620. (Read post #1-- all the way to the end.)

3) When I said I wouldn't make any claims as to which of the four speakers was "the best or worst of the lot," what I should've said was that Dynaco, based on "woofer physics" alone, was the "easy choice".

4) When I made the assertion that all four speakers were easy to drive it would've been better if I'd excluded the AR 4x and its 15 watt minimum power requirement from any group of speakers with minimum power requirements ranging from 12 watts (Epi), to 15 (Advent), to 20 (Dynaco). 15 is bigger than 20, therefore the 4x is harder to drive than the Dynaco. I stand corrected, sir. All those folks who back in the day paired AR-4xs with entry-level-- and lower powered-- amplification and thought the combination sounded as good as-- if not better than-- other speakers in the same class, well, those people were clearly schmucks. Duly noted.

Seriously, JJ, it's fine to have opinions and perfectly acceptable to try to rebut statements made by other people when they've actually made those statements.
What I would suggest-- and I mean this with no disrespect-- is to slow down a little, read, consider, cogitate just a little, then reply.

Good luck.

This post like school teacher at unruly child! ; - )
I look again you say I rebut statements made by you that you not actually make?
Can not find except my mistake about additional models not part of original request by OP
Otherwise problem in your own mind not mine
Enjoy evening
JJ

 

[Tom Brennan]

I think Jimmy's on the ****.

 

[rusomon]

Not to worry, JJ. If you don't understand, you don't understand.
Have a good evening, yourself.

 

[jim t]

A 25's over EPI 100s because the 25's woofer surrounds don't rot and need to be replaced. Also the 25's usually have nice wood veneer, sometimes teak and rosewood while the EPI's sometines have vinyl.EPI were always rated highly by Consumer Reports in the 1970's.

 

[N8Nagel]

The Dynaco A-25, Epi 100, AR-4x and Smaller Advent are the best selling bookshelf speakers from this era. All were affordable, well-constructed, easy to drive, and sounded good. The numbers in which they're still around attest to their durability (with some maintenance). They all have their proponents and detractors, but generally speaking these are speakers that most people like and few people hate. So, while we have no way of knowing your specific tastes chances are any of them would more or less fit the bill for you. At the very least they're all a perfectly good place to start building a vintage system. The one thing I won't say, though, is which is the best or worst of the lot. I'm not sure I even know--and I've owned all of them.

Of course there are of other options worth considering as well, hundreds, maybe thousands of them. That's the problem.

Good luck.

I'd add various KLHs to your list of stuff to keep an eye open for.

I haven't heard the Dynacos so I have no dog in this hunt.

I do have KLH 23s and EPI 100s and I prefer the EPIs for various reasons but there's no mistaking that the KLH have slightly better bass.

 

[JimmyEJames]

I think Jimmy's on the ****.

I try not to play boo hoo for me I'm cripple cards but it happens again here with smart guys plus member just write me about English as second language
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/sony-playstation-1-interesting.732134/#post-9910434
I can not tell this with every post I make guys understanding fellow travellers is two way street for effort
Like I said I do best I can guess brain with bad connections happier than fragile ego over activity in imagination I am not bogeyman attack your expert opinion
Try not to always assume something negative in writings on internet
Bottom line Dynaco better quality speaker with better woofer that's all I am saying it is fact
Reflex box design more refine too
I own at some point all models we are arguing taking sides over and all decent
What OP finds sounding better is 100% subjective and we can argue that until hell freeze and it just waste of time only OP can know that for his brain ear interface! ;- )
Dynaco better built speaker
Not like can still go to store and have guy switch between them and help make choice like in old days
JJ

 

[gggvan]

I have 2 pairs of A25's, love,love love them. I often marvel how such small speakers fill even a large space with deep, rich sound. Get 'em and you'll forget all about the other set your considering.

 

[RichPA]

I've had both in the past, and still use the Dynacos in an otherwise-modern setup. So I guess you can figure out my vote. The critical difference to me is the smoother midrange of the Dynacos.

 

[Descartridge]

A25s, no comparison

 

[Blue Shadow]

Thanks for getting back to this thread. It seems you don't have any complaints about the EPI later models other than the vinyl wrap used on some of the later models and they would be fine if they are the walnut veneer. I'm saying this because you have not indicated that there was a sonic difference in the models.

Humanspeakers talks to the Epicure model line wondering in words why it existed. Well that was back when there was the stereo warehouse and the stereo retailer fighting for the consumers dollars. The Epicure line was the line sold to the stereo stores, not the warehouses. Different name, different model numbers sometimes different speakers. I sold the Epicure line and the store picked the 10 which is an EPI 100 in walnut with the blue woofers and the metal backed tweeter, the 5 which was similar to some small EPIs but slightly different, the 20/20+ and later the 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 speakers. We didn't have the model 11, 14 or 15 in the store very often. The 400 and 1000 were before I was selling but the former manager said the store had them. Nice quality products using the woofer/tweeter modules in different configuration with the addition of a passive radiator in the 14 and 15 and a port in the 11. The .0 speakers were a very nice step up in overall sound quality, the 3.0 being one special speaker.

I've got a pair of EPI M50 sitting next to a pair of A25s in the bedroom system hooked up to a set of Citation gear.

 

[Ohighway]

I have been comparing my 100's vs. a25's over the past few months using my Marantz 2230. They're both quite enjoyable, but different - I can't really pick a favorite.

Then don't pick.... keep both. IMO both sound great in their own individual ways. I put together a mixed stack awhile back. Worked well and each speaker made up for any deficiencies in the other.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...eat-dynaco-a25s-with-epi-m-90-topping.262351/

 

[ethangsmith]

I think the key here is pairing it with a good amp. With the Yamaha, I'd go with the EPI 100's. With a tube setup or something a bit warmer in sound, I'd go with the A25's. Yes, I've owned both. I tried A25's with a Yamaha CR-600 I had and they sounded awful. On the other hand, if I would've had my 100's at that time, I suspect they would've sounded great. I still have both pairs of my 100's but sold my pairs of A25's. They sound great with my Sansuis and Pioneers. The great thing about the 100's is they are easily maintainable. Parts are still available through Human Speakers. And there's only a 10uf cap in there working the tweeter. Easy to replace and upgrade! I love mine.

 

[TomReceiver]

things have changed since my 1st post on this thread. As some of you know I did get a pair of EPI m-110s at a thrift store. Tweeters were original but drivers were not. I managed to get EPI badges for little cash and original drivers that were re foamed. Now I can compare the 100v to the M-110 and if I were to make this buy it would be the A-25 and keep the 100v. I can see going after the M-100 which is wood veneer compared to faux walnut vinyl wrap. of my M110. Yes it of course matters what your avr,amp and sources are, that's a given.

 

[wallacefl]

Had both and each mixed might have provided a better speaker...i.e the tweeter in the EPI is better and the woofer and tuning in the Dynaco...I put a Morel MDT-33 in my A-25 and though pricey the sum is magic...should have kept them but projects move on.

 

[avguytx]

I've got 2 pairs of Dynaco A25's and a pair of Genesis G10's, which are similar to the Epi in having the inverted dome tweeter and 8" woofer. I recall both having great virtues in their own respects but can't name specifics. Currently, they are all in closets because I have nowhere to really bounce around small speakers.

 

[Donkey Karma]

Unanswerable though I still feel the need to hop into what im sure is already kicking a dead thread senerio.

I disagree with many on these pages. The Gen 1 Masonite tweeters from EPI are not my favorite. I even prefer the later model Genesis tweets to the G1's. The golden rings are the high point to my ears. Still filled with that sig airy sound just more sparkle than their Masonite cousins.

FWIW to my ears I would go A25 unless your talking G2 or newer tweets. Altough as stated those are my ears... Why am I posting this again..... ugghhh

 

[nfafan]

If you ever plan on flipping the speakers as opposed to using as anchors in your system, get the A25's - hold their value better.

EPIs are everywhere and cheap,

A25s - despite the hype of millions being made - rarely come up for sale, and when they do - it is by readers of forums like this who are convinced they are worth their weight in gold.

I had a pair of A25s in the past when they were cheap and plentiful - sold 'em as they didn't do a whole lot for me over my Altecs at the time. Planned on trying another pair now that my ears are 40 years older - refuse to pay the current going rates for what was once rated as a close-second to OLAs - not when you can find real OLAs around and for less than A25s. Happy enough with my EPI100s and Advents for the price.

 

[shacky]

A25's for sure.