Epic 2 are actually such an underrated speaker.

the original es14 was designed by Robin Marshall (PHD in Physics) so that the drive units would mechanically roll off, to blend with each other WITHOUT the need of any cross over components. Only one cap is used to protect the tweeter. Also the drive units are integrated onto a METAL baffle for max stiffness. - - The drive units cost SEVEN times more to produce, than the drivers in the NAIM SBL speakers of the same era. The cabinet was veneered outside AND inside, and uses a metal tension rod, to tune the wall resonance to a specific freq.. ... .. now lets compare that to the modern Es14n, that has drivers that need a crossover network ( so all fine detail is now lost ) , drivers that screw into a wooden baffle , a cabinet that has standard wooden bracing. (Ive read that the drivers look like modified scan speak units) ...........so is that 40 years of ' progress ' ? looks very much the other way around to me......... the fact is, its very difficult to design drivers like Robin did, and hardly anyone else has attempted to do it since, simply because they are unable to , they lack the talent or desire , so create basic drivers like everyone else, and then correct them using large crossover networks, thus losing all the fine details and super clarity that made the ES14 reference speakers as soon as they were released, with most of the hifi press using them as a reference........ did this happen with the new Es14n ? No, its not a reference + its not ground breaking like the original was , and you could say , still is. Ive not heard the new 14n , no doubt its a fine speaker, however, is it as good as the original ? looking at its design and drivers used, complex crossover needed, wooden baffle, tells me that its extremely unlikely it will be as good, you could say impossible to be so .

@Dee-iy4ot I worked with Robin in 1986/7 during the early production of the ES-14 and I can assure you that he did not have a PhD in physics - trust me, he would have said. There was no metal baffle. The bass driver had a heavy cast aluminium chassis, the tweeter was mounted on a glass-filled plastic moulding and both were bolted to the MDF front baffle - overtightening tweeter screws could crack the plastic moulding in these early speakers. The cabinets were made for us by another speaker company, in construction terms they were standard loundspeaker boxes with a single layer of veneer on the outside - we added the metal bracing rod which wasn't tuned, it just broke the fundamental resonance of the long side panels in two. The deep and enduring tragedy of Epos Acoustics came early, sad to say. A decision was made that the ES-14 was to be a loss-leader cementing a reputation that later boxes could capitalise on, so it was priced ridiclously low. One ecstatic yet premature magazine review ('...sell your Linn Saras, buy these, spend the profit on records and sit back and enjoy music') was all it took - demand went through the roof and we were catapulted into full production before we were ready - we didn't get to spend the time needed developing poroduction methods for these very awkward loudspeakers, we just kept on making them the hard way which turned out took way too long for the money we got for them. Anyone who owns first generation Epos ES-14s (the best of the lot, as you probably know) bought a heavily subsidised loudspeaker system - they cost more to make than we got back. The subsequent sale of the brand hither and yon was rooted in this initial error.

@@johnkettlewell4854 Your ES-22 were from 1996, when the company was owned by Mordaunt Short. Fink had absolutely nothing to do with your speakers, he bought the brand 24 years after yours were built

@@bruceaitken1918 Yes, I realize it is not a Robin Marshall design or Karl,s design ; however, the midrange runs fully and has only one high cap on the tweeter-very much towards Robin’s design. Most importantly It sounds awesome to my ears-it has a direct sound-palpable sound. Before my Epos es 22 -I owned the later version of the Epos 14-and to my ears the Epos 22 eclipse the 14’s. It is truly sad that Robin Marshall sold the Epos loudspeakers. Could you imagine if Robin had today’s technology with Beryllium tweeter with a crossoverless minimal design? I am sure my Epos es 22 would be replaced-I am truly scared when my Epos 22 give out-it will be a challenge to replace them -and I am afraid Karl’s design will not be my replacement. I am sad because I be believe Karl has the ability to design a crossoverless design-he did not. BTW-any suggestions of speakers that will best my 22”s-I am all ears .

@johnkettlewell4854 Interesting - my brother in law bought ES-22's after spending ages listening to my early ES-14's, he never felt they were quite as good even if they did have more bass. I have heard many people comment that the earliest 14's were the best - the original bass driver surround was superior, having the mass Robin designed it to have. The later versions with the thicker surround didn't quite have the same vitality. The phase plug was entirely cosmetic - they were in vogue for a while. After about twenty years with the ES-22's he finally moved to some Fyne Audio F1-5's and is delighted - I'd start there

The old one was measured by Stereoplay in germany and is the worst 2way speaker ever measured!

@MARVELOUDIO I can't find any reference to these tests - a link please? No-one has yet devised a piece of test equipment that duplicates human ears, so our ears must be the final arbiter. I've had my ES14s since 1987, and they remain superb - a solid, detailed and believable soundstage behind and wider than the speakers - my in-built test equipment is utterly satisfied and I don't really care what Bruel and Kjaer have to say on the matter

Haha, same here (: have an Epos Center 12.2 and main Speakers M15.2..., iam not sure the new ES14N are much better..., for me the current Sound is perfect"

@@faithhopelove6945 not to mention the price, almost $5,000 - that is a lot of money to spend on speakers, maybe some people think it is not...

the original es14 was designed by Robin Marshall (PHD in Physics) so that the drive units would mechanically roll off, to blend with each other WITHOUT the need of any cross over components. Only one cap is used to protect the tweeter. Also the drive units are integrated onto a METAL baffle for max stiffness. - - The drive units cost SEVEN times more to produce, than the drivers in the NAIM SBL speakers of the same era. The cabinet was veneered outside AND inside, and uses a metal tension rod, to tune the wall resonance to a specific freq.. ... .. now lets compare that to the modern Es14n, that has drivers that need a crossover network ( so all fine detail is now lost ) , drivers that screw into a wooden baffle , a cabinet that has standard wooden bracing. (Ive read that the drivers look like modified scan speak units) ...........so is that 40 years of ' progress ' ? looks very much the other way around to me......... the fact is, its very difficult to design drivers like Robin did, and hardly anyone else has attempted to do it since, simply because they are unable to , they lack the talent or desire , so create basic drivers like everyone else, and then correct them using large crossover networks, thus losing all the fine details and super clarity that made the ES14 reference speakers as soon as they were released, with most of the hifi press using them as a reference........ did this happen with the new Es14n ? No, its not a reference + its not ground breaking like the original was , and you could say , still is. Ive not heard the new 14n , no doubt its a fine speaker, however, is it as good as the original ? looking at its design and drivers used, complex crossover needed, wooden baffle, tells me that its extremely unlikely it will be as good, you could say impossible to be so .

@@Dee-iy4ot ya I love mine, I have to say however that the tweeter baffle is not metal braced, just the woofer is… cheers!

the tweeter is on a metal baffle , just like the woofer. what do u mean by its not metal ' braced ' ?@@rompstar

You're welcome!

Great Post! Robin Marshall was a true genius! I wish Karl would have designed an improved first order crossover with modern technology-maybe incorporate a beryllium tweeter and yes create your own driver that had a mechanical crossover. This why I still hold my Epos es 22. The direct sound of a true first order crossover is unmistakable and the timing is best. So.. yes I am truly disappointed that Karl did not make a first order Epos for I believe him and his team had the talent to do.

the timing is on the es14 is the best ive experienced, along with the amazing clarity ..... Karl shouldve copied the original design and not made a standard driver with standard xover, there are plenty of those around @@johnkettlewell4854

yes indeed, why buy the Epos name if you are going to use normal drivers that require an electrical xover ? did they have the talent ? doesnt seem so by what they produced@@johnkettlewell4854

Should be available now - or very soon.

I own the ES11, 12 and 14 ( will never sell them ) …

@@rompstar Hi , how is the ES12 do they perform well with pop , rock , dance music ? I have found second hand like new condition and they was stored not used in the last 5 years , do you recommend them ? thanks

@@RanTausi yes I recommend that, they have a bit more bass than the ES11 and are veryyyy goood speakers!!!

@@rompstar Thank you very much !

Bi-wire them

probably sound nothing like it also. just look at the xover they needed to correct the drivers. awful

Hes a grown men, i got your point but people smoke, eat meat or have Dangerous Hobbys...its not un you or anybody to give unasked advice...i bet he knows about his fitness.

all the comments on here are unasked for , 90% of life is unasked for, get used to it@@borisbobowski628