Worthwhile speaker upgrade to FB1i?

[admin_exported]

I am thinking of upgrading my aging EPOS ES30s, their original RRP was £2500 although I paid £1750 for them ex-demo back in 2000 ish. There is nothing wrong with the speakers in fact I really like them, just want more detail, slam and bass extension...a better speaker. I had ES14s before them and I like the EPOS sound.

Am looking at a pair of used PMC FB1i's which also retail for around £2500 but I wonder whether they will actually be a worthwhile upgrade. The passage of time almost certainly means you get more for your money these days, but £2500 in 2000 is quite a bit more than the PMCs cost new today.

The alternative is to save for a circa £5k pair of speakers e.g. Fact.8, Cardea C30 etc. grateful for any advice, thoughts or ideas. This is front ended with a Wadia 861 and Muse Model Three Hunderd monoblocks.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Normally, I wouldn't recommend switching from one speaker to another one of a very similar price, unless there was a marked difference in presentation that benefitted the user. I'm not familiar with the ES30's (only the ES11's and ES14's), so I can't say whether the change to the FB1i would be worth it - I suspect not.

The OB1i though should be a different matter. The three way design with dedicated midrange dome will dig out more detail than a two way system. These should make more of your monoblocks as well.

At the end of the day though, it'll come down to which speaker your amplifier works well with, so take along your electronics to a demo or two and narrow down your choice to a couple, then see if you can get to try them at home.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

With the Wadia at the front I would suggest the FB1 is not enough of a step. They are good but if you can save you will get a far greater reward from the FACT8 or the PB1's . A demonstration will help you decide.

 

[richardw42]

Lintoneaudio on ebay have a pair of OB1i for £3k. They are pre-owned but come with a 24 month warranty.

I've bought a couple of items from them (CM7s & RSW12) and am extremely happy with the items I've bought and the service.

They start their auctions pretty high and ive won both auctions at starting price so an opening bid may well win it. If you contact them they may well negotiate and let you demo.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Lintoneaudio on ebay have a pair of OB1i for £3k.

I think the second hand market will take a little bit of a hit with PMC's introduction of their 20 year warranty. I'm sure a wise customer will get a dealer down to at least £4k, then it's up to the individual whether the extra £1k is worth paying for a 20 year warranty, and a brand new, 'unused by anyone else' product 🙂

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice guys, I agree the FB1is are not enough an upgrade to make it worthwhile, I'm better going for something, well...better. That OB1i looks very tempting, damn near new and a £1k discount as David said. The PB1i may be too big for my room so the OB1i looks even more temptting, I may well take a punt depending on lintonesaudios returns policy (seems like you can return for the cost of two postages i.e. £80).

Wonder what my ES30s will get on Ebay these days...of course I already have tri-wire cabling installed ideal for the OB1s 🙂

 

[Frank Harvey]

Unfortunately PMC don't allow mail order, so they'd have to be collected in store.

 

[visionary]

Unfortunately PMC don't allow mail order, so they'd have to be collected in store.

but the OP said they were second hand so I guess that's up to the retailer

 

[Frank Harvey]

Depends if he's looking at new or used - he didn't state which 🙂

 

[visionary]

I am thinking of upgrading my aging EPOS ES30s, their original RRP was £2500 although I paid £1750 for them ex-demo back in 2000 ish. There is nothing wrong with the speakers in fact I really like them, just want more detail, slam and bass extension...a better speaker. I had ES14s before them and I like the EPOS sound.

Am looking at a pair of used PMC FB1i's which also retail for around £2500 but I wonder whether they will actually be a worthwhile upgrade. The passage of time almost certainly means you get more for your money these days, but £2500 in 2000 is quite a bit more than the PMCs cost new today.

The alternative is to save for a circa £5k pair of speakers e.g. Fact.8, Cardea C30 etc. grateful for any advice, thoughts or ideas. This is front ended with a Wadia 861 and Muse Model Three Hunderd monoblocks.

 

[Anonymous]

Both speakers are on Ebay and second hand, the OB1i is, as richardw42 pointed out, being sold my linaudio. Despite the item's return policy "Buyer to pay for the cost of returning the item. Item must be returned in same condition, complete with accessories, as sold." Linaudio emailed me saying they will only take a return if its faulty...seems to contradict the returns policy to me :-<

And I can't get them on Distance Selling Regs as its being offered as an auction not BIN. Drat. So if I go for these I am literally taking a punt. There's a pair of used Cardea C30s at Guildford Audio which is much more local, oh what to do before the auction ends tomorrow evening...play the long game or give into the temptation. My brain says wait until I can listen to such expensive transducers before parting with £x,000s , my heart is more implusive!

 

[Rich27]

Lintone as a business seller absolutely do have to comply with distance selling regulations when selling by an ebay auction, it clearly says this on Ebay, see extract below:

"DSR's do not apply to real world auctions however, trading standards and the DTI do NOT class eBay as auctions regardless of it being called an online auction. Therefore if you are a business you are liable to abide by DSR's and ensure you are running your business legally."

 

[Anonymous]

Indeed, Ebay is subject to Distance Selling Regs in general, however DSR does not apply to the auction format, only Buy It Now and Second Chance Offers (see stuff below). Therefore Lintone like others, by selling products in an auction style with high starting bid, effectively negate the need to offer a "returns policy".

I just sent them a bit of a snotty response since the returns policy on their products is very misleading if in fact they will only take the product back if its faulty. I've just spoken with Trevor at Guildford Audio who is round the corner from me, and will have a chat with him tomorrow evening 😉 I really want to listen to different speakers, and compare say the Cardea C30s with Martin Logans and hear something he suggests.

I bought my orignal ES14s after hearing only 1 speaker before them, and got the ES30s without listening to them (long story but I knew I liked "the EPOS sound"). Time to make an informed decision I think!!

More blurb from Ebay on DSR:

Do I have to provide a refund if the buyer changes their mind?
Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 you have to refund an item if the buyer changes their mind within 7 days after the day on which the item was delivered. However, whether the Distance Selling Regulations applies depends on the type of item sold and the listing format used (see "Where do the Distance Selling Regulations apply", below).

Where do the Distance Selling Regulations apply?
The Distance Selling Regulations generally apply to sales to non-business buyers made by sellers acting in the course of a business, which have been made at a distance. In other words, where there is no face-to-face contact between the seller and the buyer before the contract is made. The Distance Selling Regulations usually cover sales made over the internet, including:

- Buy It Now listings on eBay.co.uk

- Second Chance Offers on eBay.co.uk

The UK Distance Selling Regulations do not apply to eBay auction format listings on eBay.co.uk, and do not apply to all types of items.