Epos ES14 "Extraordinary Standmount Monitors" - SOLD

The Epos, ES 14 is a reasonably large stand-mounted loudspeaker with a handsome aspect ratio. Though the top two-thirds of its front baffle is made from ½" MDF, the front plates of the drive-units are square/rectangular castings that occupy the full baffle width. When each is fixed in position with four Allen-head bolts, which screw into captive T-nuts, the result is a strong metal/wood sandwich. In addition, because the driver front plates are rabbeted, the result is a flush acoustic environment for the drive-units, optimizing their dispersion. The rest of the cabinet appears to be made from ¾" MDF, veneered on the inside surfaces as well as the outer ones, while bracing is provided by a horizontal aluminum rod that holds the sidewalls under tension. Urethane foam partly fills the inner cavity.

Both of the 14's drive-units are manufactured by Epos. Prominent on the front baffle is a 1" aluminum-dome tweeter, protected from prying two-year-old fingers by a wire mesh and mounted vertically in-line above a plastic-cone woofer. Rather than a dustcap, the latter features a stationary "phase plug" attached to the magnet pole-piece. The woofer is also unusual in that it uses a 17mm-long magnet gap and a 5mm coil, as opposed to the normal system in which a coil perhaps 12-14mm long works in a 6mm gap. This gives superior linearity/lower distortion because the coil is always driven by a more nearly constant magnetic field. In addition, the fact that the coil is totally enclosed by a large amount of steel endows the drive-unit with good thermal stability, leading to good power handling and dynamic range capability.

There isn't a grille. The crossover is also unusual in that there almost isn't one! The woofer is connected directly to the input terminals; the tweeter has a series capacitor—a 2.4µF non-polarized electrolytic type—stuck to its magnet, and that's it. Robin Marshall believes in using a minimal crossover to maximize dynamic range and retrieval of detail. He also states that if you can spread the transition between the two drive-units over a larger part of the bandwidth than normal by using gentle-slope crossover filters, you can achieve a controlled off-axis dispersion across the band. However, this means that the bass driver has to be designed to have a natural roll-out slope to complement the tweeter's first-order high-pass action. And that's not something speaker designers who buy off-the-shelf parts have the luxury of doing.

Internal wiring is good-quality multistrand, and the drive-unit joints are soldered. Electrical connection is via two pairs of 4mm sockets that take banana plugs—optimally, the British spring-loaded ones.

This particular set, from the Richard K Collection, are without question in the most beautiful condition we've ever experienced. The rosewood cabinets are rich and virtually blemish free. They are extraordinary in every way and... their appearance matches their sonic siganature, breathtaking. The ES14 are spooky in its ability to dictate a soundstage. The 3D properties are off the charts. Just amazing and we wholeheartedly concur with the many glowing reviews and accolades these Epos Monitors have garnered. 100% complete and exceptional. Have them paired with a vintage Mac C28 preamp (also amazing) and H/K Citation 12 power amp and the result is pure magic.

Come have a listen to these iconic Epos Monitors here at the shop or purchase w/confidence here on our website.

Epos, ES14 Monitors: $799 plus applicable sales tax

*Linn Stands are NOT included