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Epos M12 as a replacement ???

Hello everyone,

Here's what I own:

NHT 2.5i's
Rotel 971 transport
MSB Nelson link DAC III
Unison Research Unico

Just picked up the Unico. This unit keeps getting better and better. In fact, my speakers have never sounded better - the Unico has really smoothed them out.

here's my situation/ problem. I think i've outgrown the NHT sound. First complaint: In my room, the NHT's have overwhelming bass (standing wave which loads the room).

Second, the NHT's have somewhat of a recessed midrange (might prefer something a tad more upfront).

Third, better transparency would be appreciated, as the NHT's are somewhat mediocre in this respect.

Biggest concern is that the speakers are simply too much for the room.

At some point, I connected my old NHT 1.3a's to the Unico. In my room, they sounded better than the 2.5i's. Smooth, tight, adequate bass without bass overload, as occurs with the 2.5i's. Unfortunately, the NHT 1.3a's were sold.

This brief use of the 1.3a's with the unico really got me thinking about going the small, hq monitor route.

I remember having heard the Epos M12 in a store connected to a Creek 5350se (was auditioning the creek at the time). I liked the sound of the Epos with the Creek (although it WAS a little too 'hard-sounding' for my liking). I suspect that this was a function of the Creek/ epos combo. When I connected the small NHT 1.3a's to the Creek, it just sounded awful (imo). Needless to say, i didn't buy the creek.

Now that I have the Unico, my desires have tilted in the direction of smaller, high quality monitors to match.

1. What are you opinions on my switching my NHT 2.5i's for the Epos M12? Will the bass be adequate (considering the NHT 1.3a's were adequate in this respect in my room)

2. Will I acheive more midrange clarity with the M12's?

3. Are the M12's a good match for the unico?

Essentially, looking for punchy (not TOO aggressive), open, airy sounding speakers that have more 'up front' charactistics than the NHT's.

Any info on my situation would be greatly appreciated.

Steve
loose
6 responses Add your response
cdc
1,785 posts
 
Epos don't have the most dynamic sound. Owners at AA have complained about a nasality issue I think due to reverb inside the cabinet. Creek / Epos is not commonly called hard sounding and actually NHT seem brighter so I don't know about finding this combo "hard".
Based on your up front and open sound, I would suggest a home audition of Ascend Acoustics CBM-170. I consider this a superior speaker to the M12 as far as clarity and bass quality. It costs $328 with an $8 shipping charge. Ascend is very good about returns as long as speaker is in new unabused condition.
jrde8a6
95 posts
 
totem,castle and b&w would all be lines with quality monitors that reproduce all the dynamics in the midrange,stay smooth and open,and won't tax your wallet or your amp.... which is very cool.
mtbrider
150 posts
 
You might consider Meadowlark Swallow's, if you're wanting monitors, or Swift's if you're open to smaller floorstanders. I use a Unico with the Swift's, and find the combination to be dynamic and airy.

Gerry
nicko
25 posts
 
I'm sure I'm nowhere near as experienced as those who have already posted, but I do have a pair of M12s and I think they're great. The bass is full and punchy but not overwhelming. There isn't the deep bass extension that you can get with some other monitors, but I'm a rocker and it goes plenty low for me. I think the Epos are definitely worth an audition.
armyn62
2 posts
 
THE EPOS M12 SPEAKERS HAVE AN INCREDIBLE SOUND QUALITY.I RECENTLY PURCHASED A PAIR OF M12s AND I WAS TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY BY THE SOUND THEY PRODUCED. I HAVE THESE SPEAKERS CONNECTED TO A MUSICAL FIDELITY A300 INTEGRATED, COULDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING BETTER FOR THE PRICE.THESE SPEAKERS HAVE A SUPERB BUILD QUALITY,REALLY SOLID AND HEAVY FOR THEIR SIZE.I HAD PARADIGM REFERENCE STUDIO 20s BEFORE I BOUGHT THE EPOS SPEAKERS AND THE PARADIGMS JUST DON'T COMPARE TO THE SOUND QUALITY YOU GET FROM THE EPOS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE LOOKING FOR A PAIR OF AUDIOPHILE QUALITY MONITOR SPEAKERS ON A BUDGET TO GIVE THESE AN AUDITION.
mattybumpkin
590 posts
 
I do not know the NHT's but do have the Epos M12's hooked up to a Creek 5350SE and I am very happy with how it sounds. The Creek is somewhat laid back while the Epos are more forward, making a great partnership. I would completely disagree about them not being dynamic. Hey, their british, the home of PRAT. They can rock!!

The Epos have an excellent midrange and top end, and for a monitor have great bass. They are rated down to 60Hz but I think they go down further than that.

They are a revealing speaker (bad recordings will sound bad, etc.) and from what I have read can be fussy with what you partner them with.

All in all, an excellent speaker. Real veneer too!

I have been kicking around the idea of going with a tube integrated or a hybrid and have been considering the Unico. One issue that I have been mulling over is using a tube amp or hybrid with a ported speaker, which the Epos are. I posted recently under "Speakers" a topic called "Ported speakers and..." and got some good feedback. Take a look. Anyway, I am not sure a ported speaker and a tube/hybrid amp will give you tight bass or not. Maybe others can chime in on this.

Hope this helps,
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