Epi 200c - chance to buy - advice needed

[orwr]

Dear AK community,
I would like to ask you for your advice. I have a chance to buy EPI 200c speakers in great condition here in Europe. I have read great things about the speakers on your forums here. My questions are:

1. Is 400 EUR (455 $) fair price ( the cable connector is new and crossover was changed for a piece of Mundorf condenser)? The price probably reflects the overseas shipping cost the owner had to pay...
2. Is the sound quality for such a price worth it compared to what you get for the same amount for new or used set of speakers nowadays (Kef, Wharfedale, Epos, Mission, Monitor audio, ...).
3. Do you think that new Mundorf condenser is affecting the original sound qualities negatively?
4. Since I am in EU, do you think that these speakers are easy to repair if needed in future even if I use parts accessible here and not ones from humanspeakers, since it might be expensive to get them here?

Thank you in advance for your valuable advices and time.

Oliver - orwr

 

[Guido57]

Generally EPI fans love the 200 with its ability to reach low in the bass. And, of course, EPI fans love the tweeter.
Fair price for used speakers depends greatly on the local market as well as condition.
The only major issue for reliability is on some versions the magnets sometimes fall off the tweeter. This can be prevented by reinforcing the junction with epoxy, there are AK threads about this.
I doubt Mundorf caps would negatively affect sound quality but I've never tried high end caps for EPIs. I suspect it would be an improvement.
Sound quality vs other speakers? Matter of opinion, but I was not personally impressed by the EPI tweeter and every time I post this opinion others come to the tweeter's, or EPI's in total, defence.
At that price I'm pretty sure I could find something else I would like better, at least in my neck of the woods. YMMV

 

[RTally]

1. The value depends on your market. The EPI 200C had a manufacturer's price of US $300 each in 1980. I would expect refurbished speakers such as you describe to sell for between US $200 and $400 currently in my area, but the market in my area is somewhat inflated at this time.Two years ago they would be less expensive. I paid US $50 for my Epicure 20+, which needed to be refoamed and recapped.

2. You are the best judge of the difference in sound quality between speakers. Over the years, I have become more discerning between speakers and equipment as I listened to different setups. It is much easier for me now to tell the difference between many speakers, whereas before, many sounded the same. The other brands of speakers you list are all good brands, although the range of speakers for each brand varies in size and specifications. It is difficult to draw generic conclusions based only on brands. Perhaps if you identify specific models of speakers for the other brands, we can offer a comparison between them and the EPI.

For example, considering only the EPI brand, my EPI 150 sound much better than my EPI 100, but my Epicure 20+ sound much better than the EPI 150. Knowing what I know now, I would not have bought the EPI 100. I also have EPI 70 speakers that are much smaller than the others. They sound very good for their size and would be a good choice if there were not room for a larger speaker.

3. The original capacitors used by EPI are improved by any new, modern replacement capacitor. Mundorf capacitors are highly regarded by many. The Mundorf caps are an improvement and will not affect the sound negatively.

4. Once a speaker is in good condition, it should not need repair unless it is abused or mistreated. Since the EPI speakers you are looking at have been restored, they should be good to use for a long time. The only maintenance that needs to be done is to refoam the woofers every 10 to 15 years. You should be able to source the foam surrounds in Europe without too much difficulty or undue cost.

 

[orwr]

Generally EPI fans love the 200 with its ability to reach low in the bass. And, of course, EPI fans love the tweeter.
Fair price for used speakers depends greatly on the local market as well as condition.
The only major issue for reliability is on some versions the magnets sometimes fall off the tweeter. This can be prevented by reinforcing the junction with epoxy, there are AK threads about this.
I doubt Mundorf caps would negatively affect sound quality but I've never tried high end caps for EPIs. I suspect it would be an improvement.
Sound quality vs other speakers? Matter of opinion, but I was not personally impressed by the EPI tweeter and every time I post this opinion others come to the tweeter's, or EPI's in total, defence.
At that price I'm pretty sure I could find something else I would like better, at least in my neck of the woods. YMMV

Thanks for your response.

Yeah, you are right local market plays a big role. In my area of Central EU, EPI speakers are truly exotic and very very rare. I stumbled upon them by browsing coincidence and was really positively surprised when I read the reviews here or elsewhere. So that is why I think that they seems worth it. But yeah, I will go to listen to them first even though it is 2 hours drive....

 

[orwr]

1. The value depends on your market. The EPI 200C had a manufacturer's price of US $300 each in 1980. I would expect refurbished speakers such as you describe to sell for between US $200 and $400 currently in my area, but the market in my area is somewhat inflated at this time.Two years ago they would be less expensive. I paid US $50 for my Epicure 20+, which needed to be refoamed and recapped.

2. You are the best judge of the difference in sound quality between speakers. Over the years, I have become more discerning between speakers and equipment as I listened to different setups. It is much easier for me now to tell the difference between many speakers, whereas before, many sounded the same. The other brands of speakers you list are all good brands, although the range of speakers for each brand varies in size and specifications. It is difficult to draw generic conclusions based only on brands. Perhaps if you identify specific models of speakers for the other brands, we can offer a comparison between them and the EPI.

For example, considering only the EPI brand, my EPI 150 sound much better than my EPI 100, but my Epicure 20+ sound much better than the EPI 150. Knowing what I know now, I would not have bought the EPI 100. I also have EPI 70 speakers that are much smaller than the others. They sound very good for their size and would be a good choice if there were not room for a larger speaker.

3. The original capacitors used by EPI are improved by any new, modern replacement capacitor. Mundorf capacitors are highly regarded by many. The Mundorf caps are an improvement and will not affect the sound negatively.

4. Once a speaker is in good condition, it should not need repair unless it is abused or mistreated. Since the EPI speakers you are looking at have been restored, they should be good to use for a long time. The only maintenance that needs to be done is to refoam the woofers every 10 to 15 years. You should be able to source the foam surrounds in Europe without too much difficulty or undue cost.

Thank you for your response.

1. Yeah, seems to be the case of inflation and rareness of epi in EU + their condition ... all reflected in the price.

2. Sure, that makes sense. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am beginner in audio I would say, who was positively struck by what I read about EPI 200 c. But the best thing will be to audition them. I just wanted to hear some opinions beforehand, basically if it is worth it to have them in my consideration for such a price.

3. Cool, both of you think basically the same. Sounds and should sound great.

4. I see, that makes sense, thanks.

In conclusion, most likely I would go and audition them. Thanks.

 

[orwr]

Forgot to post pics ... not the best quality though

 

[Guido57]

If those pictures are indicative of their overall condition that is definitely a plus,but there's a lot of area not shown. Probably worth the audition.
Only your ears can tel if those are right for you.

 

[Oerets]

I owned a pair before and thought they were very nice.
As to price can't say much not knowing current market in area. Sold mine local a few years ago now for around $300 IIRC.
They were walnut veneer and in great condition.

They are rather large, so shipping would be expensive.

 

[orwr]

If those pictures are indicative of their overall condition that is definitely a plus,but there's a lot of area not shown. Probably worth the audition.
Only your ears can tel if those are right for you.

Thanks. Yeah, I will go to audition them. Let's see.

 

[orwr]

I owned a pair before and thought they were very nice.
As to price can't say much not knowing current market in area. Sold mine local a few years ago now for around $300 IIRC.
They were walnut veneer and in great condition.

They are rather large, so shipping would be expensive.

Thanks for your insight. I will go to check them out.