EPI/Genesis tweeters

Fast_Eddie

Fast_Eddie

Upper-middle fi
Hi All,

Does anyone have experience with different versions of the EPI/Genesis tweeter? I am listening to my Genesis 2+ right now. They have the square plastic front version of the inverted dome tweeter. I also have on my shelf a pair of the EPI round masonite tweeters. I'm going to re-do the crossovers in the 2+s with new caps and 5 way binding posts. I was just wondering if the two versions of the tweeter sound the same or if one is considered "better" than the other. I'm also curious if anyone has tried the new replacement from Human Speakers. They claim it's better.

Take care,

Ed
 
Register to hide this ad
Are you sure you have that right? My Genesis have square masonite and my EPI's have round plastic. I don't think I have seen round masonite or square plastic? Anyway I think they are sonically the same. The new versions are supposed to go a little higher but have a very similar overall sound.
 
I've seen round masonite (early) and plastic EPI tweets.

I've also seen square masonite (early) and square plastic Genesis.

From loose info I've gathered, and some I've personally witnessed...


Personal knowledge- the masonite round EPI tweets use bigger magnet structures.

Stuff I've read- the plastic EPI tweets go a bit higher.

And the Genesis tweets always seem rated higher than the early EPI kit, no matter what model.

The rebuilt Human tweets are, according to Hugh Powell's site, a continuation of the progression of the inverted dome tweet, one Genesis meant to implicate but was unable to do so, as the company was in dire financial straits.

Hugh Powell worked for Genesis and picked up the new old stock to continue production, alas not on a grand scale, but a humble, as-needed scale.


some folk claim the earlier EPIs are the more desired, while others believe the plastic models are.

Personally, despite the smaller magnet structure, I'd go for the latter models.
 
kfa888 said:
Are you sure you have that right? My Genesis have square masonite and my EPI's have round plastic. I don't think I have seen round masonite or square plastic? Anyway I think they are sonically the same. The new versions are supposed to go a little higher but have a very similar overall sound.
Click to expand...

Yup, I'm sure I have it right. Square plastic on the Genesis and round masonite on the EPIs. I have never heard the EPIs in a speaker they were ment to be in. Radio Shack woofers went in before I got them. The Genesis I have are just great, but I wondered if there was any reason to experiment with the older tweeters.

Take care,

Ed
 
I've used the early round and square masonite EPI/Genesis tweeters succesfully in DIY speakers.
Kind of depends on your priorities.
Personally, I'd stick with the plastic version that came with the speakers.
I'd save the older masonite tweeters for a rainy day...........

Steve
 
I have a pair of the plastic and the masonite tweets for my genesis 2's (thanks deli). I haven't done any experimenting yet as my 2's need refoaming. Fast Eddie did your 2's need refoaming? If they did could you tell me where you got the foam? I'd also be interested in your thoughts on the recap as well. I'm hoping for some nice sounds from these speakers once they're up to snuff. Once I get my 2's redone I'm going to have to swap out the tweeters just for the heck of it and see if I notice much of a difference. My thoughts are that I won't notice much of a change when I swap tweeters. Only one way to find out for sure though
 
The Human tweeters are an aluminum inverted dome, nice detail, and not harsh, like some metal tweeters I have heard
 
These are what I've had experience with. I'd consider them essentially interchangeable.

EPIsprings.jpg
 
Later ones have ferrofluid - do earlier ones? I have a hard time keeping track of them since I believe I have seen round and square versions of both masonite and plastic.
 
motorstereo said:
Fast Eddie did your 2's need refoaming? If they did could you tell me where you got the foam? I'd also be interested in your thoughts on the recap as well. I'm hoping for some nice sounds from these speakers once they're up to snuff.
Click to expand...

Yes, they needed foam. It's pretty standard stuff. I used "generic" foam from MAT Electronics It worked very well on both the woofer and the passive. Only problem with MAT is a minimum order- maybe $25? Something like that. Just order a mess of foam in different sizes and you still have only spent what a foam "kit" costs. Plus you're ready to go for a bunch of projects! I like having foam around. It lets me take on basket case speakers that aren't really worth the cost of a proper kit to find out if they're any good. More often than not, it fits just fine.

I've only recapped a couple of pairs of speakers, but each time the results were very good. Not a subtle improvement in sound. Can't wait to do these. They are fantastic speakers. I've just not gotten to them yet.

Take care,

Ed
 
Looking for Gensis tweeter replacement for Model 33

Hi all,

Holiday Greetings all! Yep, I'm a newbie on this forum and I'm looking to learn about two things today:

First, I've owned Genesis speakers since 1975 and I've loved them dearly. I own two pairs now - Genesis 2+'s and Genesis model 33's.

Problem: One of my model 33 tweeters is toast and I need a replacement. If any one of you have one or two undamaged units that you're willing to part with I'll be happy to talk to you regarding price. They are the dome type on plastic mount - NOT the inverted type on masonite.

Second, I'm familiar with the gentleman named Hew and his web site humanspeakers.com. Trouble is I can't seem to get this person to contact me. I've sent emails, called and left messages with him and no answer or return message. It's been months and no response. Is he dead, out of business or in the custody of terrorists?

I'm getting discouraged and I'm reluctant to send him a check with my core without actually hearing from the man by any means. Has anyone had any recent contact with him? Do you know if it is common practice for him to ignore communications? I can believe he missed my call or a spam bucket intercepted my email but I've left very clear messages and obviously unspam-like emails to no avail!

Your help and response is very much appreciated.

Happy Holidays!
 
Parts Express or Madisound may be able to sell you a Tweeter that will work in the same frequency range with the same sound pressure (volume) curve, or real close. Getting originals rebuilt is a hit or miss situation. I would look at getting a pair of tweets that will work until I could find originals, or Hew answerers the phone. I'm having that same problem with Classical Audio Service in Vallejo, no answer and he has two of my receivers?

Having been a multiple EPI owner for 30 odd years, I can say that they are truly good speakers. If someone pulled the original woofers out of a pair of EPI's shame on them. They are good and not easily duplicated woofers. Rat Shack woofs do not even come close the capability of these homely little woofs :)

For foams, check with ReEdger here on AK (PM him with your needs), or GeoAli on eBay. They have both done well by me for numerous speaker projects :)
 
Thanks for the info. I sympathize with your situation because it is a concern that I send off my core, $$$ and then find myself with nothing. Seems to me that someone on this forum knows of a reliable business that can be trusted to respond to legitimate customers. (hint, hint) Or, maybe my needs are just too trivial to warrant a reaction? One has to wonder if some of these businesses are just fishing for bigger fish?

I'm going to include an eBay search in my replacement plan. I just can't let these speakers go unrepaired.

BrocLuno said:
Parts Express or Madisound may be able to sell you a Tweeter that will work in the same frequency range with the same sound pressure (volume) curve, or real close. Getting originals rebuilt is a hit or miss situation. I would look at getting a pair of tweets that will work until I could find originals, or Hew answerers the phone. I'm having that same problem with Classical Audio Service in Vallejo, no answer and he has two of my receivers?

Having been a multiple EPI owner for 30 odd years, I can say that they are truly good speakers. If someone pulled the original woofers out of a pair of EPI's shame on them. They are good and not easily duplicated woofers. Rat Shack woofs do not even come close the capability of these homely little woofs :)

For foams, check with ReEdger here on AK (PM him with your needs), or GeoAli on eBay. They have both done well by me for numerous speaker projects :)
Click to expand...
 
I've never seen a EPI/Genesis tweeter like that. Did you buy the speakers new? I'm asking because I wonder what the pale ring at the base of what looks like the dome is -- they haven't been rebuilt have they?
 
Hmm... good question.

I got these second hand and discovered the tweeter was shot after the fact so I do not know any of the history of this pair. The pale ring you ask about does not appear to be a byproduct of a repair job, it looks like some kind of glazing material that the overall dome assembly was finished with.


Nat said:
I've never seen a EPI/Genesis tweeter like that. Did you buy the speakers new? I'm asking because I wonder what the pale ring at the base of what looks like the dome is -- they haven't been rebuilt have they?
Click to expand...
 
mhardy6647 said:
These are what I've had experience with. I'd consider them essentially interchangeable.

EPIsprings.jpg
Click to expand...

That's exactly my experience as well, & haven't noticed any real differences either. I've never even heard of the square plastic flanges before, let alone domed versus inverted. :scratch2: I'd kinda think any "progression" in recent ones would be worth checking out. :yes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom