EPI M100 Vs. EPI T/E 100 Plus shootout

I figured since I have both the first generation EPI 100's and the last generation EPI T/E 100 Plus it would only be fitting to do a side by side comparison on how this model changed over the years. To get a brief history on the EPI story check out the Human Speakers site.

 

To start the shootout I will compare the appearance of both these speakers. The original 100's have a beautiful real walnut veneer compared to the 100+'s oak vinyl veneer. the Original EPI's win in the regard.

The EPI+'s have a wider front baffle in which the drivers are flush, this will help in reducing any reflection of sound waves from the tweeter and helps with the expanding the stereo sound stage. The 100+ are better in this regard.

The build of both the cabinets are equal.

Now for the sound of these two speakers side by side. I found the original EPI 100's to be much tighter in the bass region and they tend to dig deeper giving me a fuller more natural sound. The bass notes where cleaner.

The polycarbonate tweeter of the EPI 100+ gives off a very large sound stage and in doing so comes across quite loud and harsh at times. It is almost as if the tweeter could use a resistor to bring the output down.

The original EPI 100 tweeter is a paper inverted cone which does not give off the same sibilance as the polycarbonate dome does. The sound stage is not as wide and a little more focused than the EPI 100+.

When I do an A/B comparison between the two speakers I instantly find the EPI T/E 100+ speakers fatiguing and wanting me to go back to the original EPI 100's.

Hands down the original EPI 100's easily beat out the last version of the EPI T/E 100+. I could listen to the original EPI 100's for hours on end and never get tired of their sound. 

The original EPI 100's are proving to be a classic timeless speaker design that is still highly sought after. If one had an option to buy one speaker over the other the originals are the way to go.

Next shootout will pit the EPI 100's against the Acoustic Research AR15's, these two speakers should prove a better comparison, stay tuned.