Replacing Epos ES14s

[MVV]

I'd like to get a replacement for these speakers. They are an old design but whatever it is they do I always end up back with them.
I've tried Naim Credos, Linn Isobarics, Neat Vitos (once the neat flagship) Quad 57s and refurbed Ditton 66s. But I always end up back with ES14s, must have bought them 4 times! This is probably the best sounding set, single wired with the upgraded capacitor which sorted the irritating treble. I always use them with glued in bungs.
I'm not sure what it is that brings me back, I guess it is the midrange but I don't know. Part of it is they are standmounts so the cabinet doesn't sing along or perhaps I just prefer how they look.
I have finished with amps and turntables so perhaps a Technics G will replace the Amadeus GTa, perhaps not. The Audio Note pre-power is definitely staying and off back for a service.
So what should I consider? Thinking about £1000 used.

 

[YNWOAN]

Eventually, I replaced mine with Yamaha NS-1000Ms - I don’t know what a good pair cost.

 

[krenzler]

It is not clear why you want to replace them in the first place?

 

[MVV]

Eventually, I replaced mine with Yamaha NS-1000Ms - I don’t know what a good pair cost.

Thanks for that. I hoped you might reply. I have thought about NS-1000Ms, however I was warned off because my amps only do 18 wpc.
Mind you I don't listen very loud so I'm not sure, the ES 14s go plenty loud and they are less sensitive than the Yams.

 

[MVV]

It is not clear why you want to replace them in the first place?

Neither am I, I guess things have moved on.

 

[Geoffreybombom]

Which capacitor did you change to sort out the treble? Thanks.

 

[MVV]

Which capacitor did you change to sort out the treble? Thanks.

I don't know, the previous owner had it done. I think there is only one. YNWOAN will know he really is the expert with these things.

 

[Fatmarley]

I'd like to get a replacement for these speakers. They are an old design but whatever it is they do I always end up back with them.
I've tried Naim Credos, Linn Isobarics, Neat Vitos (once the neat flagship) Quad 57s and refurbed Ditton 66s. But I always end up back with ES14s, must have bought them 4 times! This is probably the best sounding set, single wired with the upgraded capacitor which sorted the irritating treble. I always use them with glued in bungs.
I'm not sure what it is that brings me back, I guess it is the midrange but I don't know. Part of it is they are standmounts so the cabinet doesn't sing along or perhaps I just prefer how they look.
I have finished with amps and turntables so perhaps a Technics G will replace the Amadeus GTa, perhaps not. The Audio Note pre-power is definitely staying and off back for a service.
So what should I consider? Thinking about £1000 used.

It's probably because they work well in your room. They have very little baffle step correction, so in my room they sound a bit lightweight, and that's with the bungs removed, but they must be pretty linear because nothing stands out as wrong.

Yamaha NS1000 are probably a good shout for a replacement. Naim SBL would also probably work, but I don't know if it would be an upgrade.

Linn kans and a subwoofer dialed in to suite your room could work well. It did for me in multiple rooms.

 

[krenzler]

I know this has been linked in other (of the countless) ES14 threads but still a good read.

An interview with Robin Marshall, ex-Epos designer

Interview made last year by the student audio club at the university in Hong Kong. I nicked this from the Pink Fish forum. Q - You are probably best known as the founder of Epos and for the products you designed under the Epos badge. Is that right? Epos engaged a rather short period in my life. I...

www.stereonet.com

 

[alexkirkham]

I run ns-1000ms with a stereo 20 (10 watts) and it works fine…

 

[alexkirkham]

I even think ns-1000ms positively need valves! Tame that tendency to glare

 

[SONDEKNZ]

REFERENCE3A DE CAPO are a somewhat similar design to your beloved ES14 - in a more modern configuration.

Like the ES14, the little DA CAPOs have a real following.

Might be worth exploring…

 

[krenzler]

Another 1. order x-over example:

3 Square Audio - Ayal speakers

https://postimg.cc/JyLKv7J4 After continuing the speaker hunt and hearing a few others in recent months, I’ve finally settled on a pair of these puppies. They certainly look different to the norm (my Mrs thinks they’re disgusting), but they’ve grown on me, and I find them charming in their...

pinkfishmedia.net

 

[MVV]

I even think ns-1000ms positively need valves! Tame that tendency to glare

That's encouraging I had abandoned the idea.

 

[Sue Pertwee-Tyr]

Another 1. order x-over example:

3 Square Audio - Ayal speakers

https://postimg.cc/JyLKv7J4 After continuing the speaker hunt and hearing a few others in recent months, I’ve finally settled on a pair of these puppies. They certainly look different to the norm (my Mrs thinks they’re disgusting), but they’ve grown on me, and I find them charming in their...

pinkfishmedia.net

That's a good shout. I really like what those little guys can do.

 

[krenzler]

But whatever you do - don't sell those ES14's. Especially since you got a pair with port bungs and sorted tweeter.

I mean, they won't lose value being stashed away while/if you audition other stuff.

 

[JezmondTutu]

My ES14’s are in the loft, original capacitor, no harshness.

The Epos’s have been used in between Event Opals and ATC SCM40A’s. The ATC’s are better as they should be, I ended up preferring the Epos over the Opals as they were more musical, both had superb midrange.

 

[flatpopely]

I have a pair of ES14s, superb things. Replaced with Linn SARA. SARAs make you enjoy music, ES14s are a laser focus on tiny details.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I have a pair of ES14s, superb things. Replaced with Linn SARA. SARAs make you enjoy music, ES14s are a laser focus on tiny details.

If I make ask, what amp do you use with the Sara’s ?

 

[flatpopely]

If I make ask, what amp do you use with the Sara’s ?

JVC AX-Z1010