Epos M12 Bookshelf speakers
One of the basic principles of designing acoustic systems - the utmost simplicity of crossover filters - is also implemented in the M12 shelf speaker. The signal entering the input terminals of the mid-low frequency driver is not filtered at all. Thus, the entire frequency response of the lower subrange is determined only by the properties of the driver and the bass-reflex design. The signal gets to the tweeter by overcoming the decoupling capacitor. Therefore, the speaker system crossover consists of only one (!) element. The steepness of the slopes of the frequency characteristics of the upper and lower subbands in the region of their conjugation is 6 dB per octave. The tweeter voice coil moves in the field of a double magnetic system used to expand the zone of electroacoustic conversion linearity. The mid-bass driver cone is driven by a heat-resistant 52mm coil. Improving the clarity of the impulse response is facilitated by a phase-equalizing nozzle. The side walls of the case are made of 25 mm MDF boards and are additionally reinforced with internal braces, the front panel is reinforced with an external lining. The edges of the front panel are smoothed with anti-diffraction chamfers. Soundly made speaker lining - natural wood veneer (three options). Note that in the Epos catalog there are ST12 stands specially designed for the M12.
Offering a British couple a variety of musical material, you are convinced that its credo is delicacy. The capacious and collected sound of M12 tunes the listener to a deep contact with the work, in a special way focuses on artistic values, which in other conditions may be "behind the scenes". Reproductions of orchestral phonograms are distinguished by a good separation of instrumental timbres. Achievement of fullness of sensations was sometimes hindered only by the lack of low-frequency solidity. But the transmission quality of the upper part of the bass register is at a very decent level. The detailing of dynamic and tonal microreliefs at medium frequencies is slightly weaker than at high frequencies, and this circumstance is not perceived in a negative context. The Epos M12 "feels" the specifics of concert halls and creates an aura of "naturalness". The panorama without deep bass turns out to be quite compact, but with excellent spatial resolution: the scene is "viewed" in depth. The sound quality changes little with volume changes. The stereo pair works confidently when transmitting large-scale dynamic gradations of the phonogram, slightly reducing the steepness of the amplitude bursts of the symphonic scale.
The M12 will evoke the sympathy of an attentive listener, regardless of his musical tastes, who is looking for "cultural" acoustics for a stereo system in a small room. If you want to strengthen the bass base, the subwoofer should be selected from the category of music (even if it is not too deep, but as accurate as possible). It is better not to direct the speakers strictly at the listener - excessive brightness may appear. Before the front listening, it is desirable to thoroughly "warm up" the system (according to the recommendations of the company - at least a day).
