It all depends on which EPI you are asking about, EPI before Harmon International, or whoever bought it, or after. I have some EPI 100Ws with original drivers that sound fantastic and were considered top bookshelf speakers in Consumer Reports for several years in the '70s. I also have a pair of model 5s that are nice but not as nice as the 100Ws.
It's like any other brand, they go through periods when engineers who know sound run the companies and the product is great sound. Then the bean-counters take over, and the company face-plants. Some companies survive, and even thrive again, others, like EPI, don't.
It's like any other brand, they go through periods when engineers who know sound run the companies and the product is great sound. Then the bean-counters take over, and the company face-plants. Some companies survive, and even thrive again, others, like EPI, don't.