KLH 23 vs EPI M-150
- Thread starter JMiP
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I have both and go back and forth between with different amps (VTA ST-70 tube amp vs refurbished Sansui AU-9500). I like both, but for different reasons. EPI is more forward and articulate with great soundstage; they can fill a larger space. KLH is less forward and smoother; easier listen in smaller space. I refurbished both pairs, inside and out. I can’t bring myself to letting either go.
RTally
Speaker addict
I have both. Sadly, I have not yet recapped the EPI 150 and have not re-doped the surrounds on the KLH Model 23. So I cannot give a fair comparison. BUT, after listening to both of them in their current state, I agree with @irishsgd, I plan on keeping both. If you can swing it, get both.
My main amp is a Denon POA 5200, and I also have used a NAD 7240PE and Adcom 5300. I have listened to them in my office (about 10' x 14'). No critical listening, but not always background music either.
PS: I have other EPIs (70, 100, 20+) and KLH (5 (not restored, 6,17, 20). So I know the potential of both the EPI 150 and KLH 23.
My main amp is a Denon POA 5200, and I also have used a NAD 7240PE and Adcom 5300. I have listened to them in my office (about 10' x 14'). No critical listening, but not always background music either.
PS: I have other EPIs (70, 100, 20+) and KLH (5 (not restored, 6,17, 20). So I know the potential of both the EPI 150 and KLH 23.
I forgot about this thread so thanks for reviving it to relate my experience. I ended up getting the KLH Model 23's from a fellow AKer in Barter Town and I love them. Laid back and easy to listen to is a great description of how they sound. They pair perfectly with my vintage Harman Kardons but still sound great with my other amps/receivers.
If I ever find a set of EPI M-150's, I'll check them out as well and maybe play the ol' swap out game with the speakers.
If I ever find a set of EPI M-150's, I'll check them out as well and maybe play the ol' swap out game with the speakers.
I have owned both, and wound up keeping the EPI M150s. The KLH 23s sounded quite good, but the EPI just had a bit more resolution, without ever sounding harsh,
The other advantage of the EPI, is that with a cabinet mod (I added a plinth to the bottom, permanently affixed to the speaker, which acts to increase cabinet volume from 1.4 cubic feet to 1.8 cubic feet) I was able to convert them to a vented alignment (low-tuned extended bass shelf alignment, IIRC about a 25Hz port frequency). This gave them bass response into the mid 20s in room...
Regards,
Gordon.
The other advantage of the EPI, is that with a cabinet mod (I added a plinth to the bottom, permanently affixed to the speaker, which acts to increase cabinet volume from 1.4 cubic feet to 1.8 cubic feet) I was able to convert them to a vented alignment (low-tuned extended bass shelf alignment, IIRC about a 25Hz port frequency). This gave them bass response into the mid 20s in room...
Regards,
Gordon.
@Gordon Would a new cab this size have the same effect on any Burhoe module of 8" woofer and airspring tweeter??
RTally
Speaker addict
Thanks for replying, even though it has been a while. It is always nice to know how things worked out when someone posts asking for help in making a decision.
And do look for some EPI 150. They are nice speakers/
RTally
Speaker addict
I bought my EPI 150 1-1/2 years ago for $75. I consider that a deal, but not a score. I would have paid a bit more for them. They have rubber surrounds, so no refoaming is necessary nor needed. I have new caps, but have not installed them yet.
The market for vintage speakers is a opportunistic market. Keep your eyes peeled on the various local marketplaces and deals will pop up. You just need to be looking and willing to jump on a deal when the opportunity presents itself. The frequency and how quickly those deals disappear depend on where the buyer is located. Your area is similar to mine. There are deals out there. I've driven to NC for my Dynaco A25. I've found others in NC, but I didn't feel like driving to pick them up.
If you're going to build new, make it 2 cubic feet internal volume, vented. That's what an M200 has, except for using a PR instead of a port. Bass is astoundingly deep, powerful and clean for an 8" woofer.
Regards,
Gordon.
Kegger did something similar when he mounted some 8"Utahs w/ whizzer cones into an M200 cab w/ some 12" EPI woofers in lieu of the passives. I don't recall if he kept the tweeters or blocked the hole off, but he was pretty taken with how nice the units sounded. Looks like he used the tweeters and just disconnected them. BTW, I stumbled onto these and still have those 12" EPI woofers downstairs.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/whizzer.67356/#post-662450
Last edited:
hornbostel
Well-Known Member
I have a pair of EPI M110’s which are simply a vinyl covered version of the 150’s. Small cracks in the rubber surrounds forced me to refoam them. Also replaced the caps with Solens. Great speaker particularly the mids and highs. The inverted orange dome tweeter is simply amazing. Also pretty good punch for an 8” woofer.
Also have a pair of KLH 23s which I’ve fully restored with new caps (Dayton) and redoped surrounds. The bass is ridiculous good with the 23s! Consistent with its nominally 12” woofer. Mids are strong and smooth but the highs are a bit rolled off. The 23s give the classic buttery KLH sound that is just damn good no matter the source material.
because of the low frequency heft and the superb furniture grade cabinet (off scale WAF) the 23s are in full time use in my den driven by a modern Onkyo TX 8270 receiver (for streaming) and a Realistic Lab 440 turntable. The EPIs are doing yeoman’s work in my garage.
Also have a pair of KLH 23s which I’ve fully restored with new caps (Dayton) and redoped surrounds. The bass is ridiculous good with the 23s! Consistent with its nominally 12” woofer. Mids are strong and smooth but the highs are a bit rolled off. The 23s give the classic buttery KLH sound that is just damn good no matter the source material.
because of the low frequency heft and the superb furniture grade cabinet (off scale WAF) the 23s are in full time use in my den driven by a modern Onkyo TX 8270 receiver (for streaming) and a Realistic Lab 440 turntable. The EPIs are doing yeoman’s work in my garage.
I have a similar question in a new thread, but for different speakers.
I'm still looking for a set of nice EPI M-150's but man, turns out those are rare as hen's teeth.
I'm still looking for a set of nice EPI M-150's but man, turns out those are rare as hen's teeth.
Hmm - I have both, and like the KLHs a great deal. I found one at the dump, and then several years later, another. Had to track down one correct tweeter to replace a blown one, so since I was already in there, I recapped and resealed the woofer. They sound lovely, and look great - some dings but nothing catastrophic.
I refoamed the EPIs years ago and listened, and set them aside. They are the vinyl ones, so look cheap in comparison with the KLHs, and so I didn't give them another thought. Maybe I should.
I refoamed the EPIs years ago and listened, and set them aside. They are the vinyl ones, so look cheap in comparison with the KLHs, and so I didn't give them another thought. Maybe I should.