Review: First Experiences with the Epic 5

by Jan Gerhard

The Epic 5 left me amazed, which admittedly doesn't happen that often anymore.

And on many levels – but from the beginning:

The pair is delivered in a suitcase in carbon look, packed in cotton bags, in a precisely fitting foam shape. This secures the monitors for permanent use on the go. So no more transport in the original packaging, which after the third packing and unpacking looks like after two world wars.

First of all, these speakers are surprising because of their size. Sure, 5-inch loudspeakers are often used in smaller rooms or at editing stations where everything is already complete with other equipment and are therefore not very generously dimensioned "by nature".

Due to its anti-parallel housing walls, the Epic 5 appear even narrower than comparable models. Due to the beveled front of the box, I initially assumed that these were designed for operation in the near field on the table – but this is a mistake. Because the angle of the baffle was used here to balance the runtimes of tweeters and woofers. This can be done electronically using a delay in the DSP, or with a phase plug or waveguide – tipping the whole baffle so that the runtime of the two drivers is again coherent is something new. After listening tests, I can say that the tweeter emits wide enough that this slope does not result in a disadvantage in the sound. So always read the manual before operating!

The boxes stand on three specially designed spikes, with matching rubber shoes for sensitive surfaces. This even saves you having to use a separate decoupling substructure such as Iso Acoustics or Recoil Stabilizer. However, this can be a bit problematic on external tripods with a soft surface, as the spikes should definitely be on a hard surface. Then everything fits.

Let's Get to the Sound

Listening sessions from loudspeakers mostly start like this for me – at the beginning I am very enthusiastic, but this enthusiasm decreases over time. In short: it was the other way around. After a sober "do-everything-he-should" my enthusiasm did not level off, but increased – slowly but solidly. Thanks to the really good coordination of woofer and tweeter, it is possible to reproduce many details that mask other speakers.

Transients are followed exactly. "Listening to" songs is quickly possible with the Epic 5. As a metaphor, a shop window is allowed here: Where other speakers only bring you up to the window, the Epic 5 let you go into the shop window. I hope that was plastic enough.

The reproduction of high notes is also accurate and honest. If a voice recording has too many S-sounds, for example, it will be played back that way. I know competitors who reproduce this frequency range in such a way that it always "fits". But that is exactly what distinguishes works from toys.

The bass reproduction was the next point that amazed me and - not least because of its size – inspired me. Closed cases are among my quiet favorites because of their precise reproduction. Unfortunately, in addition to a lower output, this design also has a higher lower cut-off frequency, vulgo: "The device" does not play that low. In the country they also say: "It has less bass."

This can be counteracted with a so-called passive radiator, which is constructed like a second membrane without a voice coil. This means that the lower limit frequency can be shifted downwards. The disadvantage of this technique has always been that it has the disadvantage of precise reproduction. I could not find this out with the Epic 5. How the developer did it will probably never be revealed – but be it: Very well done.

To give a vivid example again: with this model you can hear the bass note exactly, while with competitors the bass can only be classified as "is there" or "is not there". Especially with the tiny case volume, I couldn't believe it at first.

When asked whether a subwoofer is needed, I would rather restrict it to the application: With EDM, drum and bass it would be "for more fun" an advantage, but not a must. With classical, language or rock / pop it is completely "without". That, and the rather "non-PA-like" efficiency are also the only blemishes that I could find. Two points that one (at least from my point of view ) can get over very well and the manufacturer has already announced that a subwoofer is being considered.

Finally, I have to say that I tested the Epic 5 out of curiosity. When unpacking from the noble suitcase, I felt bad about the price structure, because high-quality technology, which is packed so elaborately, has its price. After the test I thought, "Wow, the little beasts are really good!" I suspected a price structure between €3-4.5k per pair. When the sales department gave me the MSRP, I first had to ask him whether he was in the vicinity of any alcoholic beverages and, if so, how many drinks it was.

So as not to indulge in further senseless misery: The price/performance ratio will be hard to beat. Very difficult!

Anyone who has the slightest hint of curiosity about what these speakers sound like should definitely give them a try. Otherwise you could really miss something...

Have a Question?

CONTACT US!