EPOS ELS3 Review

Good Points
Good bass extension for a boockshelf
Vibrant and well defined but not overly bright highs
Good bang for buck $300 US per pair
Small size makes for easy of placement
5 way binding post for easy hookup comes with bannana plugs.

Bad Points
Vinyle finish (would have preffered venere)
No rubber feet to sit on
Sucks in center channel position although a true center is now available
I just don't think it's a pretty speaker although that is a matter of opinion

General Comments
I recently purchased a set of Aperion Intimus speakers in 5.1 configuration. I was very happy with their performance and their cherry venner finish made them look like high quality furniture. Aperion offers a 30 day money back so I decided to head out to the local shops and see what was available in the price range. The EPOS were at a local sound speacialty shop and they sounded great in the shop. I had brought along to aperions and when listening to music the EPOS deffinetly had an advantage. The Aperions were slightly better in the mid range but over all the EPOS outclassed them. I took three EPOS home to try as my mains and centers.



I have a moderatly sized room at 20x12. The aperions and epos were both adequate at filling the room with sound although the need for a sub was apperant if playing at louder volumes the EPOS could hold their own at moderate listening levels.



When I tried an ELS3 on it's side as a center it sounded very boxy and they voices were slightly but noticably enough muffled.



When I combined the ELS3 mains with the aperion center a new world opened up. I didn't think it would be good since they werent matched but where the aperion was vague in it's high end resolution the epos picked up. Voices were far more detailed in this configuration. A EPOS center is now available and I regret not having the oppurtunity to try it.



Imaging was slightly better with the 100% aperion set up but the slight loss in image accuracy was worth overall improvement the EPOS added to depth of soundstage and clarity of sound.



In the surround position I liked the Aperions better they more subtle and blended better with the environment. It may just have been the the EPOS had a better sensetivity and I could have played with my setting to get a better surround environment but I didn't have that kind of time. Besides I liked the way the Aperions were performing and I like the way they looked better even if they were $60 more expensive a pair.



The beauty of the whole experiment was that both manufacturers finishes blended well so in the end I kept 2 EPOS els3 as mains and sent back two aperion 522D. All my speakers have the smae finish and the Aperion sub I have thew 10" blends well with the EPOS ELS3 which does not have a sub offered in the product line.



Conclusion:



The EPOS are great for music hands down in a moderate to small room.



I would use them for a HT setup had they visually apealled to me more. You can hide bookshelf mains but the rears are in your face I need something that looks nicer.



For their size they perform like my dual 8" Klipsch speakers when I combine the with a sub. I can now retire my Klipsch to another room.