Designed and engineered in the U.K.

User Manual

EPOS LIMITED

12 Avebury Court Mark Road

Hemel Hempstead Herts HP2 7TA

England

Telephone: +44 1442 260146 Fax: +44 870 622 0846

E-mail: [email protected]

www.epos-acoustics.com

This booklet contains information on the Epic series loudspeaker range.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

Amplifiers with power outputs between those noted in the loudspeaker specifications will generally be adequate, although more powerful amplifiers could be used if care is taken to avoid over-driving the loudspeakers.

Always use the volume control with discretion, and reduce the level immediately should the loudspeakers begin to distort.

Amplifiers capable of less than 20 Watts per channel output are best avoided because they will restrict the dynamic range. Such amplifiers may also cause damage to the loudspeakers if they are driven beyond their capability in an attempt to obtain high volume levels.

The clipping distortion produced when an amplifier is driven beyond its normal output capability can be very destructive. A powerful amplifier operating well inside its capability will generally be less likely to damage your loudspeakers than a lower powered amplifier operating beyond its capacity.

NOTE

Do not make or break loudspeaker connections to the amplifier when it is turned on.

POSITIONING

Epos loudspeakers are designed to be positioned as specified. Space should be left behind the loudspeakers to allow proper operation of rear firing reflex ports and to ensure establishment of good stereo image depth. Some experimentation may be necessary to establish the ideal position within your listening room.

Begin by placing the loudspeakers about 20cm from the rear wall and allow at least 40cm of space between each loudspeaker and the nearest side wall. Gradually move them out a little at a time until you achieve the best balance between bass weight and definition.

All Epos Epic loudspeakers have been designed to produce a broad listening area.

However the optimum sound balance and stereo image will be enjoyed if your ear level, when seated for listening, is approximately in line with the tweeter. So, if you can just see the top of the speaker that will be fine. If however the ideal is not attainable or convenient, listening beyond this range will also be enjoyable.

Remember - there is no absolute right or wrong. If it sounds good, it is good.

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QUICK CONNECTIONS

Switch off your amplifier whenever making connections.

Take your speaker cable and connect the positive terminal on the amplifier left channel, marked + or coloured red, to the positive terminal on the left loudspeaker. The negative terminal on the amplifier left channel, marked - or coloured black, must be connected to the negative terminal on the left loudspeaker. Repeat connections for the right channel.

If you choose to bi-wire your loudspeakers, please read the detailed section on page 4.

Switch on the amplifier with the volume turned down low. Check that the bass and treble sounds come from both speakers. If not, switch off and remake the connections.

STANDS

For loudspeakers designed for use on stands, best results will be obtained if the stands are rigidly coupled to the floor using carpet piercing spikes. Floor-standing loudspeakers should also be coupled to the floor using the carpet piercing spikes supplied. This will help preserve the outstanding mid-band clarity which is a hallmark of Epos loudspeakers. Epos has designed its own stands.

The floor-standing models are supplied with their own support plinth. Contact your dealer for further information or visit the Epos website www.epos-acoustics.com

SPIKES

Four threaded spikes are provided with each floor-standing speaker, together with individual locking nuts. These should be screwed into the metal inserts in the bottom of the plinth. Once these are adjusted to correct the level of the speaker and stop it from rocking, tighten the locking nuts, so as to prevent the spikes from coming loose.

Adjusting the front spikes higher will tip the speaker up and can give sonic benefits.

CONNECTION

Ensure that your amplifier is switched off before you make, or break, any connections, because damage may occur to your amplifier if shorted.

Your Epos loudspeakers are equipped with insulated gold-plated binding posts with excellent electrical contact and current specification. The posts are connected to the individual drivers as denoted on the rear panel label. Removable metal links enable the loudspeaker to be conventionally wired with a single cable, bi-wired or bi-amped. These techniques often bring benefits in terms of increased clarity and definition. If you are in any doubt consult your dealer or visit www.epos-acoustics.com

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Lower the volume before making any adjustments to the system (e.g. switching amplifier inputs or raising or lowering pickup arm) and switch off the amplifier before checking or making any changes to any connections in the system. Never use your loudspeakers for any other purpose other than domestic listening.

Warning

The 4mm plugs used on modern hi-fi speaker cables should never be inserted into European mains sockets even though they may fit. Needless to say, this is pointless and can be fatal if tried. Make sure that young members of the family are prevented from ever doing this.

BI-WIRING

Bi-wiring involves the use of two pairs of speaker cables between your loudspeakers and amplifier. If you wish to bi-wire your EPIC 1/ EPIC 2/EPIC speakers, it is essential that you first unscrew all the binding posts and remove the metal links that join them together.

Store them safely for possible future use. Once the links are removed, the drive units will be electrically separate and should be connected to the driving amplifier with individual high quality cables, as shown.

SPEAKER AMPLIFIER SPEAKER AMPLIFIER

To single wire, leave links in place To bi-wire, remove links

CABLE TERMINATION

A set of 4mm plugs is supplied which will allow you to terminate your loudspeaker cables.

These plugs have been selected to provide the best possible electrical connection.

To terminate your cables simply remove enough insulation to allow the plastic shroud on the plug provided to fit over the end of your cable. Then make a connection to the plug and screw the shroud fully over the plug until no bare plug is evident. Once again, if you are in doubt consult your Epos dealer.

Residents of the European Union may wish to use bare wires into the terminal posts, as

4mm plugs have been outlawed.

If bare wires are used, take care to avoid stray strands which can 'short circuit' the power amplifier. Spade type connectors may also be used.

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WARNING

The sockets on the loudspeaker marked red (on the right side as you look at the loudspeaker rear panel) should be connected to the red (or positive) output terminals on your amplifier, while the sockets marked black should be connected to the black (or negative) output terminals on your amplifier. Use good quality cable to connect your loudspeakers to the amplifier. Ensure that the cables from each speaker are of roughly equal length and that any surplus is gathered in a loose hank. Do not coil the surplus tightly.

PHASE

If the cables are not connected to each left and right speaker in the same way, i.e. black and red reversed in one, the effect will be incorrect phasing. This will cause the bass to disappear and the stereo image to move away from the middle to a position outside the two speakers. Correctly wiring the polarity of the speakers will restore the image to between the speakers and provide proper bass. Most speaker cables have a polarising mark, such as a raised bump or writing on the positive wire.

RUNNING IN

Epos loudspeakers require a little gentle use to allow their working components to settle into their proper working condition. Do not be concerned if your new speakers sound aggressive and lacking in low-frequency authority when you first begin to use them.

Things will quickly improve. Allow between twenty four and forty eight hours of normal use before your new loudspeakers can be expected to perform at their best.

PROTECTIVE GRILLES

Your Epic loudspeakers are supplied with optional protective grilles, which are packed separately in the main carton. Young children and pets have an affinity for tweeter domes and woofer cones! If a soft tweeter dome is pushed in, it may eventually return to its original shape. If in doubt, please contact your dealer. The use of grilles is entirely optional and many owners prefer the appearance of their loudspeakers without them. A small reduction in clarity may be apparent with the grilles on.

If you wish to use the grilles, it is necessary to remove the plain front panel of the speaker by passing the special tool provided through the small access hole at the top/back of the cabinet (not the large port hole). When it touches the front, bang the knob on the end with the palm of your hand to cause the panel to pop out at the top. Hold the panel with both hands and wiggle it until the connection also becomes un-plugged at the bottom.

Store the plain front panel for later use carefully in the carton provided.

Press the protective grille into the aperture, with the EPOS logo on the front at the bottom and line up the pegs. Press the grille panel until it is level with the frame that runs around the sides of the cabinet.

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SPECIFICATION

EPIC 1

Power Handling

Frequency Range

Impedance

Sensitivity

Amplifier Compatibility

Positioning

Tweeter

Bass/Midrange Driver

Crossover

Terminal Panel

Internal wiring

Cabinet

Grilles

Finish

Size - HxWxD - mm / ins

Weight

Packaged

100 Watts unclipped speech and music

51 Hz - 25 kHz

4 Ohm nominal

88dB/2.83V@1m

20 - 100 Watts

Not less than 10 cm (4”) from rear wall

Epos 25mm soft dome with high-temperature voice coil, ferrofluid cooling and neodymium magnet system.

Magnetically shielded

Epos 150mm with 25mm high-temperature voice coil and polypropylene cone. Magnetically shielded

Bass and tweeter crossover with 2nd order filters.

Tweeter network uses metal oxide resistors, polypropylene film capacitor and air-core inductor.

Woofer network features a large core laminated iron inductor and polypropylene film by-pass capacitor

Gold plated and bi-wirable. Can be single or double wired by removing shorting links provided

18 AWG stranded cable.

18mm MDF wrap and front baffle internally braced

Removable ‘audiophile’ grille as standard. Alternative cloth covered grilles packed as an accessory. Grille removal tool included

Cherry or Black Ash vinyl veneer

310 x 185 x 245 / 12.2 x 7.2 x 9.7

5.9 kg / 13 lb per single speaker

14.2 kg / 32.2 lb per carton

One pair per carton

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SPECIFICATION

EPIC 2

Power Handling

Frequency Range

Impedance

Sensitivity

Amplifier Compatibility

Positioning

Tweeter

Bass/Midrange Driver

Crossover

Terminal Panel

Internal wiring

Cabinet

Grilles

Finish

Size - HxWxD - mm / ins

Weight

Packaged

120 Watts unclipped speech and music

48 Hz - 25 kHz

4 Ohm nominal

90dB/2.83V@1m

20 - 120 Watts

Not less than 10 cm (4”) from rear wall

Epos 25mm soft dome with high-temperature voice coil, ferrofluid cooling and neodymium magnet system.

Magnetically shielded

Epos 179mm with 25mm high-temperature voice coil and polypropylene cone. Magnetically shielded

Bass and tweeter crossover with 2nd order filters.

Tweeter network uses metal oxide resistor, polypropylene film capacitor and air-core inductor.

Woofer network features a large core laminated iron inductor and polypropylene film by-pass capacitor

Gold plated and bi-wirable. Can be single or double wired by removing shorting links provided

18 AWG stranded cable.

18mm MDF wrap and front baffle internally braced

Removable ‘audiophile’ grille as standard. Alternative cloth covered grilles packed as an accessory. Grille removal tool included

Cherry or Black Ash vinyl veneer

415 x 210 x 280 / 16.4 x 8.32 x 11

8.6 kg / 19 lb per single speaker

27 kg / 46 lb per carton

One pair per carton

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SPECIFICATION

EPIC 5

Power Handling

Frequency Range

Impedance

Sensitivity

Amplifier Compatibility

Positioning

Tweeter

Bass & Bass/Midrange Drivers

Crossover

Terminal Panel

Internal wiring

Cabinet

Grilles

Finish

Size - HxWxD - mm / ins

Weight

Packaged

200 Watts unclipped speech and music

45 Hz - 25 kHz

4 Ohm nominal

92dB/2.83V@1m

20 - 200 Watts

Not less than 10 cm (4”) from rear wall

Epos 25mm soft dome with high-temperature voice coil, ferrofluid cooling and neodymium magnet system.

Magnetically shielded

Epos 179mm with 25mm high-temperature voice coil and polypropylene cone.

Bass units and tweeter crossover with 2nd order filters.

Tweeter network uses metal oxide resistor, polypropylene film capacitor and air-core inductor.

Woofer and mid-woofer networks feature large core laminated iron inductors and polypropylene film bypass capacitors

Gold plated and bi-wirable. Can be single or double wired by removing shorting links provided

18 AWG stranded cable.

18mm MDF wrap and front baffle internally braced

Removable ‘audiophile’ grille as standard. Alternative cloth covered grilles packed as an accessory. Grille removal tool included

Cherry or Black Ash vinyl veneer

915 x 210 x 320 / 36 x 8.3 x 12.6 (Cabinet only)

980 x 286 x 380 (Including plinth and spikes)

19.7 kg / 43.4 lb per single speaker

23 kg / 52 lb per carton

One speaker per carton

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