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
Actually, he had them driven at different times by various amps. I believe I first heard them with Naim (as per your assumption). But most recently, I heard them with what Steve calls 'one of the best integrated amps you can possibly get' - an LFD (Mistral) amp.

Don't get me wrong - my setup sounds nice. I just know that it's capable of more.

Of course, I'm always open to suggestion with respect to equipment...although I really do like the Unico (it's so beautifully built). Steve sent me an email telling me that he had a similar issue at his own place and assured me he can correct the bass problem. I have faith in his ability to do so.

I'll see what we can come up with and if system switches are in order, I just may have some equipment up for sale.
Well HOT-a-DAMN ~! Steve let me try out some Ecosse cables at home and HOLY CRAP! what a night and day difference from my Audioquest Type 4 ~! Faster, tigher, airier - you name it- this cable improved the entire spectrum.

BUT...

just as i was hooking up the new cables, i decided to clean all contacts. I took everything apart and cleaned it all up again and lo' and behold - my MSB Link DAC stopped working (for the SECOND TIME)

i'm sooooo upset... last time it broke, it took over 2 months to get it back - AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK, IT WASN'T EVEN MINE!!! They LOST mine and gave me the wrong one. Then they couldn't find mine at all, so they gave me a different one. And now this second one is busted too!! MSB - NEVER, EVER again

This makes it impossible for me to really discern what differences the cables made EXACTLY.

*sigh*

...electronics... it's a love-hate thing with me
Hang in there pal, it will get better (I know shut the fuck up Chad!) ok ok gotta go