WTB Small vintage box speakers (Chicago?)

[fiddlefye]

The EPI 150 (the ones with the brass circles inlaid into the wood) are the best EPI I’ve ever heard. My college girlfriend had a pair, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids never sounded better.

A friend here has a pair he was given and doesn't care for them. I liked them, but preferred the 100s and the 50s even more. The 150s do go a bit lower, bigger cabinet and all that. I had a pair of 202s, but gave them to my daughter years ago.

 

[JohnVF]

The EPI 150 (the ones with the brass circles inlaid into the wood) are the best EPI I’ve ever heard. My college girlfriend had a pair, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids never sounded better.

I had a pair of Genesis Physics that, I think, we’re about the same cabinet volume and similar drivers, but junkier cabs. A bit larger than the Epi 100s. They were more modern sounding than a lot of the vintage boxes I had.

 

[JohnVF]

I one time committed the sacrilege of using a whole bunch of genesis physics speakers in a 5.1 setup. It was actually the best home theater sound I ever managed. For a bit I had a pair of horn loaded Pioneers in the setup and my girlfriend made me get rid of them because you couldn’t even understand dialogue.

 

[zim bida]

I one time committed the sacrilege of using a whole bunch of genesis physics speakers in a 5.1 setup. It was actually the best home theater sound I ever managed. For a bit I had a pair of horn loaded Pioneers in the setup and my girlfriend made me get rid of them because you couldn’t even understand dialogue.

I don't see this as sacrilege at all!

I use 5 boleros

 

[Drugolf]

The EPI 150 (the ones with the brass circles inlaid into the wood) are the best EPI I’ve ever heard. My college girlfriend had a pair, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids never sounded better.

These? A cleaned up a pair a few years ago. As cool as it was, the brass made it difficult to really work the veneer.

 

[Drugolf]

I've got a cute set of AR 4XA here for ya, but I'm not in Chicagoland. I was born there if that helps.

 

[kirk57]

These? A cleaned up a pair a few years ago. As cool as it was, the brass made it difficult to really work the veneer.
View attachment 40259

Those be they! I read somewhere that those cabinets were made by a coffin maker (hence the inserts).

 

[Deli]

As hot as the M100s sold, and they sold as well as hot cakes at a Denny’s, the M50s (and the huge-mongous M1000s) are likely truly “where it’s at”.

 

[JohnVF]

As hot as the M100s sold, and they sold as well as hot cakes at a Denny’s, the M50s (and the huge-mongous M1000s) are likely truly “where it’s at”.

I had a pair of Epi 400s and never got around to refoaming the 8 rotted woofers. They held up my microwave for three years, though.

 

[fiddlefye]

As hot as the M100s sold, and they sold as well as hot cakes at a Denny’s, the M50s (and the huge-mongous M1000s) are likely truly “where it’s at”.

A friend here in town bought a pair of M1000s, just had to have them. I helped him move the things and after we'd both dislocated our shoulders and had arms hanging like orangutans discovered they were too tall to stand up in his basement. I've no idea what happened to them after that. I did hear a pair in a shop once with some humongous amp and they were certainly pretty impressive!

 

[Deli]

I don’t recall all the models, but the angled top, two tweeter and two woofer models were pretty damned good. EPI, and the fancier (but basically identical) Epicure versions.

Had some Genesis roll through here too.

All of these were more than capable performers and would likely please more than 99% of the population.

 

[fiddlefye]

I don’t recall all the models, but the angled top, two tweeter and two woofer models were pretty damned good. EPI, and the fancier (but basically identical) Epicure versions.

Had some Genesis roll through here too.

All of these were more than capable performers and would likely please more than 99% of the population.

I've heard quite a few of the models, but have only owned the 202, 100 and 50 (mine oddly labelled "Epicure" and with no badges out front).

 

[mythless]

Epi/Epicure/Burhoe are some of my favorite speakers.

I've always wondered about Huw's speakers and would love to have a pair of his 81s. Though, not a fan of the vinyl black wrap. I am sure he would veneer it for an added cost.

 

[doglv]

I would suggest to look for a vintage "driver" and not a "speaker" for a much more bang for the buck.

Lots of choices but here is one that I love so much I have two pairs: a pair for the garage and a pair for an in-shelf office system with a custom baffle decorated by my favorite artist.

Altec 409

Get a cabinet maker to make a 2'x2' cabinet for a few hundred bucks. Pair with a Vintage el84 tube amp and you will have a beautiful sounding system with midrange to die for.

I am looking at vintage 5" field coil cone speakers for a short horn application. Cheap and fun with potential giant killing results.