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Epos Vs. Neat

I am on the verge of picking up new speakers after about a year of being without (I've posted relatively recently about this)...

...I had pretty much settled on Epos M12.2's. I like their speed, accuracy in the midrange (vocals are beautiful) and punchy sound (will be used in a relatively small room).

The other day, however, I passed by the shop where I plan to make the purchase and there was a guy there auditioning the Neat Mystiques and Ruark speakers (don't know the model - i think Sabre IIIs or something)...

The Neats really caught my attention. They have excellent clarity, are very fast, punchy and musical ... best of all, they play music. There is just something about the way the put the music together that makes you want to groove no matter WHAT you're listening to. The Epos do this as well, but to a lesser extent.

The thing is, the Neats are a tad costly for me (twice the price of the Epos) and I'd still have to make cable switches etc. to get them to sound right at home (I'll have to do the same with the Epos, but they're a lot cheaper so adding cost of cables is not such a big deal).

I wonder if i could get some opinions from any of you... Should I purchase the Epos and stay within my current budget? Should I hold off for a few more months and get the Neats? Further, which would likely work better with my associated equipment (listed below)?

Anyone have experience with both of these speakers? with either of these speakers?

any comments and/or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Signed,

A poor man with an expensive addiction.

assoc. equip:

Unison Research Unico (stock)
Rotel 971 cd
Link Dac III, half nelson with upsampling.
cables: up in the air
loose
caterham1700
271 posts
 

Loose,

RE:"...maybe that will make the Neats too cramped"

I current use MF7's and Critiques, formerly owned Elites & Elite SE's and have used Mystiques,Vitos, and MF9's in show exhibits.
Generally, I've found that Neats tend prefer close spacing and placement relatively near to the rear wall to give of their best- typically 5 ft to 6-1/2 ft apart and from 12" to 20" from the rear wall,dependant on the particular model, in both long and short wall setups in medium and smaller sized rooms.

best,
Ken Lyon
GreaterRanges/Neuance
loose OP
239 posts
 
Mcfavre4:

what speakers / equip are you using at the moment?
loose OP
239 posts
 
Rar1:

Yes, i've heard the EPOS need space to breathe. I won't be putting them in a bookcase, though...I'll be using their proper stands. They will be placed 12" to 15" from the rear wall, with about 3 to 4.5 feet to the side walls.

Further, I HAVE tried the M12.2's with my amp, but not my cd player as source (it was a cyrus 8, I believe, which is better than my source - not that my source is a slouch)... The amp and speakers seem to mate quite well. Still haven't tried it at home, though.

Thanks again, people. I always appreciate your comments.
mcfavre4
85 posts
 
Loose:

I ended up going to Neat Elites then scaled back to make some home improvements. I then tried the Naim Nait 5i but wanted to try separates again (likely story). What I have found in the interm is a combination I am trying to decide on. I have three preamps, a Plinius CD LAD, Muse Model 3 and Adcom GFP 750. The amps I have are a PS Audio HCA-2 and Bryston 2BLP. You'd think the Plinius/PS Audio combo would be the ticket but I really like the little Bryston also, even paired with the Adcom GFP-750 it just outperforms any integrated I have owned. Still deciding since the HCA-2 is new/breaking in. Yes it has strenghts over the 2BLP but the Bryston has a superbly musical midrange. Source is a Rotel 1072, a superb player for the $. Speakers are Monitor Audio GR10s now after buying and being quite impressed by the S1 for my theater system. They give the Neats a good run for their money IMO. They have great imaging and a very nuetral mid-range, sweet top end (a bit more so than the Mystique). I will be keeping the speakers. I am not looking for hi-fi in the extreme but do want great tone and musicality.
loose OP
239 posts
 
Well guys, I just got a wicked deal on a pair of Neat Mystiques...can't refuse it! I'm soooooo excited! picking them up tomorrow!!! wooo hoooo!!!!!

(sorry... just wanted to tell SOMEONE how excited I am...whenever I talk to any of my friends about audio equipment, their eyes just glaze over...)
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