How would you classify these EPI/Epicure speakers?

[iramegdal]

When I was young (long, long ago) I could not afford EPI or Epicure speakers, but lusted after them. In my more mature years I have acquired some old ones in various states of disrepair. In all cases I have replaced all drivers, caps and back plates with parts from Human Speakers. I have repaired grill cloths and restored badges. Thus, only the original cabinets remain. In some cases the drivers are newly made by Huw, but mostly they have been rebuilt. Huw states that the drivers replicate but are slightly superior to the original drivers. I have undoubtedly spent more money than the economic value of these speakers as currently configured would justify were i to sell them, but that is not important to me. For the most part I don't intend to sell them during my lifetime.
I have done EPI 100Vs, 140s and 150s and Epicure 10s (vinyl).
As a philosophical question, would you classify these as vintage, modern or neither?
Assuming that I spent about $370 for the internal components of each of these 4 sets of speakers (and $125 on average for the old cabinets and old drivers, or a total on average for each set of about $500) how would you think that they would compare to today's speakers of equivalent or perhaps slightly greater cost?
I don't intend to do anything but keep them, but would be interested in your thoughts,

 

[GordonW]

Are the original woofers blown up, or do they just need surrounds?

I tend to just refoam the original woofers. I don't think the new woofers are really better.

The tweeters, though- the paper dome original tweeters are pretty good. I am not as much of a fan of the later phenolic domes. Huw's tweeters are probably an upgrade for both, but especially for the later ones.

They can hang with a lot of modern speakers, when they're set up well. Probably would have to spend $1000 or more on a pair of new speakers, to get something significantly better than an updated M150.

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[RTally]

I would consider the OP's speakers to be vintage, although with updated parts. They look vintage in style and size. The configuration is vintage (acoustic suspension). That they use updated components does not override the other factors. They are good sounding vintage speakers.

I am listening to a pair of restored EPI 150 speakers currently. They have the Masonite-style tweeters. I replaced the hardened rubber woofer surrounds with foam, recapped, and replaced the speaker spring clip terminals with 5-way binding posts. I agree with GordonW, I would have to spend at least $1000 to get new speakers significantly better than my 150s. I base my opinion on listening tests of new (and nearly new) speakers.

 

[iramegdal]

I would consider the OP's speakers to be vintage, although with updated parts. They look vintage in style and size. The configuration is vintage (acoustic suspension). That they use updated components does not override the other factors. They are good sounding vintage speakers.

I am listening to a pair of restored EPI 150 speakers currently. They have the Masonite-style tweeters. I replaced the hardened rubber woofer surrounds with foam, recapped, and replaced the speaker spring clip terminals with 5-way binding posts. I agree with GordonW, I would have to spend at least $1000 to get new speakers significantly better than my 150s. I base my opinion on listening tests of new (and nearly new) speakers.

Thank you for the interesting input. Yes, the 150s are great sounding, with very special cabinetry. I also very much like the 140s. Also good sound, nice cabinetry and passive radiators. The smaller woofers combined with the passive radiators provides, to my ears, very precise sound. I gave these to my son.

How would you rank the EPI 100Vs and the similar, but slightly larger Epicure 10s (vinyl clad) as compared to today's market. The also have all new parts.

 

[AudioWill]

Restored with more modern parts? Vintage restomod.

AW