Got_Horns
Active Member
sigh......pm me then please, leaving soon.
EPI Speakers Appreciation
- Thread starter corbin
- Start date
RTally
Speaker addict
I buy individual foams from Springfield Speaker Repair. The proper foams are the same as for the Boston 8" fillet or angled edge style, except for the 6.5" size. I bought foam for my EPI 70 speakers.
You can buy complete refoaming kits from Simply Speakers, but they come in 2 surrounds per kit. I believe the kit comes with a solvent based adhesive. I have trouble using that stuff: dries quickly and is messy.
I use Aleene Tacky Glue with a test tone. I do not remove the dust cap. The EPI woofers have a large air gap and the cones are easy to center when refoaming. Either a battery or a test tone is fine to magnetically center the voice coil.
Got_Horns
Active Member
. What frequency do you use? I also like aleene tacky glue. Much easier to work with.
I'm going to be an expert refoamer by the time I'm done with all 8. But the good news is they are original, all drivers work, all grills and badges...... should be a fun project bringing them back to their glory!!
RTally
Speaker addict
Frequency? It really does not matter as long as it is low, say somewhere between 20 and 100 Hz. Many advocate for 30 Hz. I use a signal generator app on my phone sent to an amp connected to the driver. The amplitude is adjusted so that the cone vibrates, but not more than about 1/16 inch. At lower frequencies you will not hear it, but you will see dust and dirt bounce on the cone (Clean it!). The idea is to magnetically center the voice coil without moving the cone so much that you are disturbing the surround flange being glued to the basket.
I run the tone only while positioning the surround. I double check it after a few minutes to make sure the surround has not shifted. I also like to double check my work by pressing the cone with one finger around its circumference. With the large air gap of the EPI woofers, my desired result is to press the cone in all four quadrants without the VC scraping. Woofers with a smaller air gap will scrape if the cone is pushed off-center.
russel1972
Active Member
Just took my M50s out of storage to donate. Had not used these for a number of years so I thought I would try them out first. I think I may keep them.
They are connected to a Marantz PM 7001 integrated, Akai AM 2850 tuner, Pioneer PD-10AE CD player, Dual 704, Pioneer PL 514 and JBl 4301. The Marantz can handle 2 sets of speakers, so, nice and easy to compare. So far, the M50s are sounding better the more I listen to them.
Every time at look for info on the EPIs, half the time people say 6" woofer and the rest of the time they say 6 1/2" woofer. Which of these would be correct. I checked years ago and these have the rubber surounds so not to worried about that for now.
They show as 8 ohms, 50 Hz to 18 Khz. As yet they don't seem to go that low but that may change with more usage. If possible, can anyone tell me about the sensitivity of these speakers? The information isn't critical but would be nice to know as a reference only.
If nothing else, I can always compare direct drive versus belt drive, ported versus acoustic suspension and satisfy my curiosity on these items. I like them all, no favourites. Anytime I switch, I like the music I hear and don't notice the equipment. Nice place to be.
Thanks Al
They are connected to a Marantz PM 7001 integrated, Akai AM 2850 tuner, Pioneer PD-10AE CD player, Dual 704, Pioneer PL 514 and JBl 4301. The Marantz can handle 2 sets of speakers, so, nice and easy to compare. So far, the M50s are sounding better the more I listen to them.
Every time at look for info on the EPIs, half the time people say 6" woofer and the rest of the time they say 6 1/2" woofer. Which of these would be correct. I checked years ago and these have the rubber surounds so not to worried about that for now.
They show as 8 ohms, 50 Hz to 18 Khz. As yet they don't seem to go that low but that may change with more usage. If possible, can anyone tell me about the sensitivity of these speakers? The information isn't critical but would be nice to know as a reference only.
If nothing else, I can always compare direct drive versus belt drive, ported versus acoustic suspension and satisfy my curiosity on these items. I like them all, no favourites. Anytime I switch, I like the music I hear and don't notice the equipment. Nice place to be.
Thanks Al
RTally
Speaker addict
Driver size is like nominal impedance. The number is something close to the diameter of the basket. For example, my 8" EPI woofers measure about 8-1/8" diameter. The woofers in my EPI 70 measure a hair under 6-5/8" inches, but they are nominally 6-1/2" woofers, same as your Model 50.
As for the bass on your speakers, press the rubber surround. Is it stiff or is it as supple as a new foam surround? It may be that the lack of bass is due to stiff rubber surrounds. The rubber surrounds on my EPI 150 were stiff, although they were still flexible and had no cracks. The speakers had bass, but not what I expected. I replaced the rubber surrounds with proper foam surrounds and they sound so much better.
Artie
Super Member
Just noticed this thread. EPI must have sold a boat load of 100's.
I have a pair of M100's and a pair of 100V's. They sound, and appear, virtually identical. I think one pair is just newer. I was thinking of making a nice stand that would allow me to run them "stacked." The only thing is, my music room is small, and one pair provides more than enough volume. I just think stacked would look cool.
I have a pair of M100's and a pair of 100V's. They sound, and appear, virtually identical. I think one pair is just newer. I was thinking of making a nice stand that would allow me to run them "stacked." The only thing is, my music room is small, and one pair provides more than enough volume. I just think stacked would look cool.
mythless
Looking for projects!?
Other than the "soft dome" tweeters of the later generations of Epi.
The difference between EPI and Epicure, was that the Epicure was designated to be a higher end line with wood veneer vs. vinyl.
The difference between the old Masonite tweeters and the yellow or plastic plate tweeters were the old Masonite were not ferrofluid filled but, bits of foam to keep them "cool." The Burhoe Acoustic also used foam.
Sonically, I also think they sound similar. Does the ferrofluid make a difference in sound sq? Not to my ears, I would be happy with either.
The difference between EPI and Epicure, was that the Epicure was designated to be a higher end line with wood veneer vs. vinyl.
The difference between the old Masonite tweeters and the yellow or plastic plate tweeters were the old Masonite were not ferrofluid filled but, bits of foam to keep them "cool." The Burhoe Acoustic also used foam.
Sonically, I also think they sound similar. Does the ferrofluid make a difference in sound sq? Not to my ears, I would be happy with either.
Bass gets better with placement. Stick the M50's closer to the front wall and see if that improves the bass.
As for sensitivity, I don't know the numbers, but I've driven mine with 30 tube watts and had no issues at all.
Goggle1824
Well-Known Member
M50s are very respectable speakers. ESPECIALLY for their size. I suspect many members here would appreciate the opportunity to receive a pair, probably even providing you compensation, though certainly not REQUIRED…
russel1972
Active Member
The bass has gotten much better. Testing these against the JBL 4301 and there is a noticeable difference. When I compared these during the same song, it sounded as if the M50s were veiled. I kept checking and changed my mind on the sound. What I thought was a veil I now am seeing as more just taking the "edge" off of the JBLs. These are definitely staying.
In the living room, I have a pair of JBL L100Ts and those are keepers. I raise the volume just a tad, and the music sounds absolutely great. Mostly, I listen to old country from the early sixties, and I'm falling in love again with all the acoustic instruments.
Life just keeps getting better!!!!!
In the living room, I have a pair of JBL L100Ts and those are keepers. I raise the volume just a tad, and the music sounds absolutely great. Mostly, I listen to old country from the early sixties, and I'm falling in love again with all the acoustic instruments.
Life just keeps getting better!!!!!
beardsley
Active Member
I think they did. I remember auditioning speakers for my first "real" system when I got an after-school job in high school and could afford layaway payments on some decent gear. I auditioned a bunch of speakers- some more than I wanted to spend like JBLs and Ohms, some more in my price range like Bose. The 100s were the best compromise of performance and value by a long shot. They really impressed compared to some much more expensive speakers. Easy decision. For lots of people probably.
EPI 400's! Yes! Oh man, the crisp and deep bass these produce - chefs kiss!
I'm telling you, when all eight 6" woofers are working - the bass is fantastic. The 400's were rated down to 28Hz. Whether they hit that or not, I don't know, but IMHO the don't need more bass.
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Yup, they are pretty great. I have a pair of Human model 81 that I bought from Huw about six months ago to replace my EPI 100’s. The 100’s are on loan to an old friend. I purchased them my senior year in H.S…….1972. Next week a new pair of Human model 61 will arrive. I’m a fan of his speakers, can you tell? I also have his QT-Zero and QT-1+. For the money they can’t be beat, my opinion of course.