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EPI Speakers Appreciation

Solen 16mfd.JPG
morda said:
I am looking for a reason why EPI/EPICURE used the higher cap values on some models, while most of the highly-rated models used a 10 uF cap for the same woofer-tweeter combo?
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I think is because the "Two-Way" speakers "Look" and "See" the 10mfd cap as their best balance. While some of the "DUAL Two-Way" (with the speaker components hooked in parallel) "Look" and "See" the 16mfd as their best balance. As for the Solen 16mfd Caps. They worked great and were a cost-effective option.
 
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Don't know enough about cap effects in speaker design and response. When I pull up the different EPI/EPICURE models on the HUMAN site, the cap values shown don't follow any predictable pattern. The 250's have a pair of modules and uses a single 10 uF cap. The 400's have four modules and uses a single 10 uF cap. My 200's have just one module [plus a passive radiator] and use the equivalent of a 15uF cap - and some 200's used a 16 uF cap. The HUMAN site shows two versions of your 180's....some used a 10 uF cap and some like yours had the 16 uF cap. Someone here suggested that EPI used the higher values to lower the crossover range to try to fill in the perceived lack of midrange, and to balance the somewhat bright tweeter.
 
Fred DuBuron said:
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I think is because the "Two-Way" speakers "Look" and "See" the 10mfd cap as their best balance. While some of the "DUAL Two-Way" (with the speaker components hooked in parallel) "Look" and "See" the 16mfd as their best balance. As for the Solen 16mfd Caps. They worked great and were a cost-effective option.
Click to expand...
Don't know enough about cap effects in speaker design and response. When I pull up the different EPI/EPICURE models on the HUMAN site, the cap values shown don't follow any predictable pattern. The 250's have a pair of modules and uses a single 10 uF cap. The 400's have four modules and uses a single 10 uF cap. My 200's have just one module [plus a passive radiator] and use the equivalent of a 15uF cap - and some 200's used a 16 uF cap. The HUMAN site shows two versions of your 180's....some used a 10 uF cap and some like yours had the 16 uF cap. Someone here suggested that EPI used the higher values to lower the crossover range to try to fill in the perceived lack of midrange, and to balance the somewhat bright tweeter.
 
morda said:
I see that you upgraded to the 16 uF Solen PB-MKP-FC. I'd like to hear your opinion of how your cap upgrade sounds.
I'm rebuilding a set of M200's and deciding on a cap upgrade. The schematic says either 15 uf or 16 uf were used. Mine had three 10 uF....two in series and one paralleled to make 15 uF. I am looking for a reason why EPI/EPICURE used the higher cap values on some models, while most of the highly rated models used a 10 uF cap for the same woofer- tweeter combo? I may set up my new caps with spade lugs to easily swap the values.
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I'm curiouos what the layout of those three capacitors are since putting capacitors in series actually reduces capacitance, unlike resistors. Putting caps in parallel gives the additive effect...
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-13/series-and-parallel-capacitors/
 
coonmanx said:
I'm curiouos what the layout of those three capacitors are since putting capacitors in series actually reduces capacitance, unlike resistors. Putting caps in parallel gives the additive effect...
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-13/series-and-parallel-capacitors/
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Right ...two 10uF caps in series is equivalent to a 5uF cap, and paralleled with another 10uF cap is additive to the two in series, hence the circuit capacitance is 15uF. Here's the pic [below].
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Fred DuBuron said:
Bought my EPI M150Ws in 1974 and dragged them around the world during my 25-year USAF career. I remember almost buying a set of M100s, but the M150s with the larger and slightly deeper cabinet just sounded so much richer and the brass trim just set them off a cut above the M100s. Fast forward to the beginning of this year... Dragged the M150 out of storage and started a restoration on them. The original 8" drivers were long replaced with junkie aftermarkets so it was time to bring them back to the sound I missed. Huw's drivers and a recap (Dayton Audio 10uf 400Volt 1%) did the trick.
I also picked up for $20 a wasted beat up single EPI M100W to practice cabinet refinishing products on. The so-called "Test Mule" in now rebuilt and fully-functional with well-sanded surfaces and dent-restored wood puttied corners. Finishing has taken a back seat while the "Test Mule" is used to benchmark the different speakers that come through the shop. It is the standard by which all other speakers are ranked.

Man, NOW I had the EPI bug big time now!! In the last 4-months, I have a little woofer rebuild, cabinet restoration, and crossover station going in my shop.
I have now have self-restored TWO pairs of EPI M50W, and three EACH M180V speakers. (i have also cranked out some bookshelf "Frankenstein" creations, a set of New Large Advents, Baby Avent II's, and am currently working on a fabulous set of AR18b's)

I am waiting now for my wife to take a car ride so I can set up an EPI ONLY surround sound setup in my playroom without her blowing a gasket. The evil plan is three M180s for fronts/center, EPI M150s for the surround-rear, and the two sets of M50s for surround and Wide-Front. I also have two Klipsch RPW-10 10" Subwoofers.

Recently picked up a Denon 7.2 amp on auction and a Denon DVD - SACD player.... (evil laugh) I have the incredible SACD Dire Straits - "Brother's in Arms" ready to go !!! It should be epic!!!

Living the dream!!
Actually, I am loving this stay at home concept.
I am now on a first-name basis with both my FEDEX and UPS Drivers.

EPI Rocks!!
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How ironic - I recently picked up a pair of M150's [beautiful cabinets, original rubber surround woofers, masonite tweets] .........and the guy threw in a nice single M100W.... how do these speaker sets get separated? He didn't recall how he ended up with the single cabinet [he had lots of gear]
 
morda said:
Right ...two 10uF caps in series is equivalent to a 5uF cap, and paralleled with another 10uF cap is additive to the two in series, hence the circuit capacitance is 15uF. Here's the pic [below].
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Click to expand...
Yeah, that is a bit weird using 3 10uF caps like that instead of just one 10uF and one 5uF in parallel. Oh well, in the end all that matters is the overall number I guess. Fun with electronics...
 
coonmanx said:
Yeah, that is a bit weird using 3 10uF caps like that instead of just one 10uF and one 5uF in parallel. Oh well, in the end all that matters is the overall number I guess. Fun with electronics...
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EPI used one cheap 10uF cap in most of their crossovers, so that's three of the same 10uF's used.
 
So I didn't notice this at first glance, but there's one or two tears, and a hole in the right tweeter. It doesn't affect the performance nor functionality at all, but I feel like someday, sooner or later, particles are going to fly into the VC gap.

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Tacking onto this thread I recently restored a pair of Epicure 10s I really can see why the inverted dome tweeters are as well regarded as they are the highs on these can give a lot of modern speakers a run. But I have to say what especially blows me away is how deep the bass is with 8" drivers. I have them setup on my PC with a small amp currently and watching a movie like Guardians of the Galaxy was actually mind blowing in terms of their versatility at their size. Winslow Burhoe was a magician given how simple the crossover is on these and what they put out in sound.
 
Just got a pair of minty 120Cs. Wrote to the seller every day, for 2 months...then he wrote back!! I ran over to grab them!!IMG_20230602_165544651.jpg

Going to replace the speaker wire connectors and caps. Any recommendations on caps? Love these things!!!
 
I did a charged coupled crossover on a very minty Epicure 100 at one time (using cheapest caps). Results were still very good.

What I like about the design is how cohesive they sound to my ears.

When I had to sell those Epicure, a sound engineer came by and had a side by side comparison with a pair of ESS Tempest 8 (not recapped but, refoamed). While the upper ended sounded better on the ESS and it did have more bass.The Epicure was far more cohesive. At that point I really did not want to them and tried to push the ESS (it was priced less too). Sadly, the Epicure went.
 
What's the top 5 EPI models or EPI derivatives that I should be on the lookout for?

Awesome thread btw. Wish I had known about it sooner!
 
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Got_Horns said:
What's the top 5 EPI models or EPI derivatives that I should be on the lookout for?

Awesome thread btw. Wish I had known about it sooner!
Click to expand...

Most EPI speakers are simply different configurations (in number and placement relative to each other) of the same Burhoe “module”: the 8” woofer & 1” inverted dome tweeter. Your 120’s are somewhat of an odd model, having a 10” woofer.

I haven’t heard all the different variations, but I really like my Epicure 20’s (EPI 201). They’re extremely easy to place and the bass is substantial. My 202’s are much more difficult to place and even when placed well seem to lack the punch of the 20’s.
 
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