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EPI 100s

buckeye56

buckeye56

Active Member
I have a pair of EPI 100 speakers that need re-foaming, maybe some other work. I'm aware that there's a "specialist" in NH, I think, who works with EPIs. I don't want to send them up there, so how critical is it they be repaired with perhaps "dedicated" EPI materials, so-to-speak? Also, any reputable referrals for a place in NYC to do this?? I've attached a few pics of the "guts". I think they are 8 inch. Thanks!
 

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buckeye56 said:
I have a pair of EPI 100 speakers that need re-foaming, maybe some other work. I'm aware that there's a "specialist" in NH, I think, who works with EPIs. I don't want to send them up there, so how critical is it they be repaired with perhaps "dedicated" EPI materials, so-to-speak? Also, any reputable referrals for a place in NYC to do this?? I've attached a few pics of the "guts". I think they are 8 inch. Thanks!
Click to expand...
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Depending on how much you want to spend, you can get a complete rebuild kit from Huw at Human speakers for $372.00. Two woofers, tweeters, crossover, binding post cup, screws, and improved over the originals. I just ordered the kit for my model 100’s that I bought in 1971. Currently, I have a pair of Human 81, the modern version of the epi 100 and they sound GREAT. I’m excited to rebuild my 100’s but won’t be able to get to them until next month.

It is very easy to do. A screwdriver is about all you need and a bag of polyfill to stuff the cabinets after you toss the nasty fiberglass. Everything is wired up and ready to pop in place. There is loads of info at his website plus Huw can help via email or phone. It’s worth it. You can do it.
 
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The crossover in the 100s probably only has one cap and it is most likely a 10uF capacitor. Probably needs to be replaced too. Most crossover caps that age need replacement, especially if they are electrolytic type. This one will work fine:

www.parts-express.com

Jantzen 8100 10uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film Capacitor

Jantzen 8100 10uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film CapacitorProduct FeaturesDimensions: 13 x 19 x 37 mm (H x W x L)The Compact MKT capacitors are made with the highest quality metalized polyester film possible.Jantzen has been able to make them smaller in size and with better sonic...
www.parts-express.com
 
BmWr75 said:
The crossover in the 100s probably only has one cap and it is most likely a 10uF capacitor. Probably needs to be replaced too. Most crossover caps that age need replacement, especially if they are electrolytic type. This one will work fine:

www.parts-express.com

Jantzen 8100 10uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film Capacitor

Jantzen 8100 10uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film CapacitorProduct FeaturesDimensions: 13 x 19 x 37 mm (H x W x L)The Compact MKT capacitors are made with the highest quality metalized polyester film possible.Jantzen has been able to make them smaller in size and with better sonic...
www.parts-express.com
Click to expand...
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He can go directly to www.humanspeakers.com and get everything he needs, individual parts or the full rebuild kit. Why muck about with other sources when you can go straight to the man himself, Huw Powell. There is not a human being alive that knows more about epi speakers, (unless Winslow Burhoe is still alive), than Huw Powell. And he will gladly assist.
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Sliphorn said:
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He can go directly to www.humanspeakers.com and get everything he needs, individual parts or the full rebuild kit. Why muck about with other sources when you can go straight to the man himself, Huw Powell. There is not a human being alive that knows more about epi speakers, (unless Winslow Burhoe is still alive), than Huw Powell. And he will gladly assist.
.
Click to expand...
Well, Human Speakers sells the crossover kit for $35 and the single cap needed from P-E is less than $4 (plus shipping from each vendor). If the OP's spring clip terminals are still working, no need to spend the extra $31 IMHO. There is also no need to replace tweeters if the originals are still working fine. The OP has to figure all this out and decide how to proceed.
 
BmWr75 said:
Well, Human Speakers sells the crossover kit for $35 and the single cap needed from P-E is less than $4 (plus shipping from each vendor). If the OP's spring clip terminals are still working, no need to spend the extra $31 IMHO. There is also no need to replace tweeters if the originals are still working fine. The OP has to figure all this out and decide how to proceed.
Click to expand...
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Huw sells the cap individually too. Not to mention having a conversation with Huw is worth its weight in gold and making a simple phone call is easy. No guessing as to what to do because Huw Is informative and helpful. That is my point, thank you very much.
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BmWr75 said:
This ain’t “rocket surgery”. Speakers don’t get much simpler than EPI 100s. My first ever pair of nice speakers back in the 1970s were EPI 70s. Had EPI speakers in my car too along with a Pioneer component system.
Click to expand...
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Good for you

You are right, it is not difficult but the OP sounds unsure. Afterall, he was asking about where to take them to get worked on and not wanting to send them to NH. And no disrespect to the OP, but he asked if you could tell from the pics how bad they are. Capische?! Hence, my comments and suggesting to him to do the work himself. As did you. HaHa. Out.
 
Sliphorn said:
.
Depending on how much you want to spend, you can get a complete rebuild kit from Huw at Human speakers for $372.00. Two woofers, tweeters, crossover, binding post cup, screws, and improved over the originals. I just ordered the kit for my model 100’s that I bought in 1971. Currently, I have a pair of Human 81, the modern version of the epi 100 and they sound GREAT. I’m excited to rebuild my 100’s but won’t be able to get to them until next month.

It is very easy to do. A screwdriver is about all you need and a bag of polyfill to stuff the cabinets after you toss the nasty fiberglass. Everything is wired up and ready to pop in place. There is loads of info at his website plus Huw can help via email or phone. It’s worth it. You can do it.
Click to expand...
I did this with 4 sets of EPI speakers. EPI 100, Epicure Model 10, EPI 140 and 150. I am not technically proficient and this was easy. I have kept 2 sets and gave 2 to my son. Continue to be happy with the results after several years.
Admittedly, it was the lazier way, but it worked for me.
 
OP here, thanks everyone for your advice, suggestions. As one commenter noted, I am def unsure about doing this on my own, regardless of how easy folks think it may be. I don't even know which parts I would need to purchase bec unsure which current parts are trashed. Have spoken to Huw in the past, super nice guy. So my real question is whether or not Huw's parts vs. those from a reputable place like Miller Sound in PA would make a discernible, dramatic difference in sound quality.
BmWr75 said:
Well, Human Speakers sells the crossover kit for $35 and the single cap needed from P-E is less than $4 (plus shipping from each vendor). If the OP's spring clip terminals are still working, no need to spend the extra $31 IMHO. There is also no need to replace tweeters if the originals are still working fine. The OP has to figure all this out and decide how to proceed.
Click to expand...
Lots of moving parts here for me to figure out. Clueless if I need spring clips, tweeters, etc. Only thing I'm sure of is that they need to be re-foamed.
 
The only thing Human Speakers will have that probably must be purchased from them is new tweeters and that is only if the current ones aren't working or don't sound good when you get the speakers running. The rest of the stuff, foam surrounds, new speaker terminals, new crossover cap, new wiring can all be purchased elsewhere and make zero difference IMHO. You live in NYC it appears. There ought to be many resources available that can do this work for you.
 
If you take the speakers to Millersound they will come back like new. It will be some money but most service work is.

If you want to consider doing any of this yourself, there are quite a few videos about refoaming speakers and there are sources for the correct type of surround to use. Looneytune2001 on the bay might have them, just send a message if they are not listed. There are other sources but you want ones for the EPI not just generics. about 20-25 bucks the pair.

If you have good speaker connections on the back in working order, you don't need spring clips.

Replacing the capacitor requires soldering and if you are not ready for that...

Millersound might make them just right. Give Bill a call and ask him.
 
Blue Shadow said:
If you take the speakers to Millersound they will come back like new. It will be some money but most service work is.

If you want to consider doing any of this yourself, there are quite a few videos about refoaming speakers and there are sources for the correct type of surround to use. Looneytune2001 on the bay might have them, just send a message if they are not listed. There are other sources but you want ones for the EPI not just generics. about 20-25 bucks the pair.

If you have good speaker connections on the back in working order, you don't need spring clips.

Replacing the capacitor requires soldering and if you are not ready for that...

Millersound might make them just right. Give Bill a call and ask him.
Click to expand...
Hi, I've been in touch with Miller (referred by someone I know), Bill incredibly nice, may wind up using him. Just fyi, his wife passed away back in August. As for NYC (where I llive), ridiculous $$ and not sure I trust them. One reputable place literally said it wld cost abt $750 to take care of my speakers, using vinyl (?) whatever.
 
I personally would order replacement foams from Rick Cobb and refoam the woofers myself. While Huw is a great resource there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars if the only thing wrong with the speakers is rotten foam.
 
N8Nagel said:
I personally would order replacement foams from Rick Cobb and refoam the woofers myself. While Huw is a great resource there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars if the only thing wrong with the speakers is rotten foam.
Click to expand...
If you lved in the NYC area, I'd hire you or someone else here to do it. I can't, regardless of how easy everyone says it is . Not worth the risk for me.
 
buckeye56 said:
Hi, I've been in touch with Miller (referred by someone I know), Bill incredibly nice, may wind up using him. Just fyi, his wife passed away back in August. As for NYC (where I llive), ridiculous $$ and not sure I trust them. One reputable place literally said it wld cost abt $750 to take care of my speakers, using vinyl (?) whatever.
Click to expand...
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I hope you get them sorted out to your liking. $750 bucks! To do what?! You can buy a new pair of Human 81 for less than that.
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