but, for me at least, the ES14's are still the winners. I'm glad I've tried some different speakers, but I guess I'll hve to dig much deeper into the pocket to beat them.
This very much parallels my own experience looking for ES14 replacements. When one of my bass drivers developed an irreparable buzz I looked for replacements up to £2K and was so disappointed by the performance offered I bought another pair of ES14's to use as spares.
I am very interested in the Proac SM100, there seem to be some fans of this speaker on this forum, it would appear it has the sort of presentation I am looking for, i.e similar to the ES14's but with the sometimes problematic "gritty / metallic" edge to the treble of the Epos tamed, good dynamics, tight controlled bass, good over a wide range of music genres. Also it is an ideal size, almost the same as my current speakers, but will need a change of stand, probably, to get the last drop out of them , so to speak. I'm minded to wait until the new "Qudos" and psu boards arrive from Les W, for my 110 monoblocks, and see how they go first though!
p.s, The Neat Ultimatums look great, but currently way over my budget!
I paid £1200 for a pair of Epos22, 20 years ago.
Still have them, still love them. They "do bass"
The Proac D2 is a star product in this hi-fi jungle so I'm not surprised you get this results.Just now I have my Harbeth M30 in my little men´s cave replacing a pair of Epos ES11. In my ears it is like night and day.
Concrete floor and walls could have made the treble of the ES11 a bit annoying. But the pair of ProAc D2d I have upstairs now are a better match than the M30 in that room.
The room speaker interaction seems to be the key.
Just now I have my Harbeth M30 in my little men´s cave replacing a pair of Epos ES11. In my ears it is like night and day.
Concrete floor and walls could have made the treble of the ES11 a bit annoying. But the pair of ProAc D2d I have upstairs now are a better match than the M30 in that room.
The room speaker interaction seems to be the key.