[Edited 12.31.13]
I am selling my PBN Montana’s EPS-2s, in Rosewood, was asking $3300, NOW ASKING 2500. According to my last check of Audiogon bluebook,
price is lowest ever, and nearly $2300 under the average price received ($4780). And 75% off the MSRP of 10k.
A bit of googling can find highly positive press for the EPS-2s from hometheaterhifi-dot-com and The Absolute Sound; search Audiogon, and you can find numerous threads where I (jdoris) sing their praises. In short, these are truly excellent speakers, highly musical and altogether non-fatiguing. I’d guess the sound tends toward the “laid back” (or anti-Wilson); in any event , if mechanical, audiophile, “detail” is often a pain in the ear for you (as it is for me), these speakers are a mandatory listen. Relatedly, they perform very well at lower volumes.
These are big speakers (54”h by 135 lbs), but the (quasi D’Appolito) array means they play well close to boundaries, so their placement can actually be less obtrusive than many smaller speakers. The design also means that they sound very good off the horizontal axis. Overall, they are no-fuss speakers that are very easy to live with, in case you are more of a listener than a tinkerer. (Speakers are bi-wire capable, but I will include my jumpers.)
Build quality is excellent and remarkably substantial, and the speakers are lookers; the significant other acceptance factor should be quite high, despite the size.
Another huge plus for these speakers is that PBN is a great company, and Peter is a smart and helpful guy.
I’ve been seriously auditioning speakers at shows and dealers for the past five years, and nothing down from 12k or so clearly bested the Montanas. To compare one speaker line that is also known for a relaxed, warmer sound, the Montana’s to my ear readily bettered
the Sonus Faber Cremona M, and I could not hear enough difference in the Elipsa (“red”) to remotely justify the 10k more in price.
I’m moving on because I became convinced that my 30wpc Pass INT-30A does not have the grunt to drive the speakers, and since I’ve drunk the class A amp koolaid, I wanted to pair the little Pass with some higher efficiency speakers using powered bass drivers. Although the Montana’s are 92db efficient , I think they do better, particularly in the lows, with beefier amps, like my old Odyssey dual mono, or the big beasts PBN themselves make.
For condition, I would rate the speakers a very conservative Audiogon 7. The speakers could be legitimately called an 8, but I don’t want disagreements. There is one very light scratch of about .25” on the front of one speaker from removing the grills (which are immaculate). This is not noticeable, and otherwise, the veneer is excellent. The metal outriggers (which are great for setup), have been dinged a bit, and the end of one has a bit of paint loss visible from the side. I suspect it could be very easily repaired, but I’ve not felt the need. The composite bases show a bit of very light scuffing (a problem common to big speakers that are not easily moved) but this too is hardly noticeable. All this said, make no mistake: the speakers are lovely, in good shape, and quite deserving “pride of ownership.”
If I haven’t mentioned it already, these speakers are BIG, and must be shipped motor freight on a pallet. Cost should be about $300. I have a truck, and am happy to negotiate delivery in areas reasonably proximate (up to 200 miles or so) to St. Louis; if this arrangement involves you meeting me, you will likely need a truck or larger SUV.
Payment by cash or money order.
Thanks for looking.
John
