kapsnb01

Started my bracing & dampening project. Thought I'd keep track of it and post some pictures in a separate thread. http://community.klipsch.com/forums/p/172130/1930989.aspx#1930989

I hope to get to the front baffle bracing and the top here in the next couple of days. With any luck, I should get some dampening done this weekend.

Rear & side bracing #2...

Rear and side cabinet braces installed #1

Another before...

As some of you already know, I recently bought a pair of used Klipsch Epic CF3 speakers. These are easily the best speakers that I've heard to date. Since I didn't know much about these speakers before I went to listen to them, I immediately asked a few members for advice and information. I got some great information and knew exactly what to look/listen for when I demoed them. Thus begins my journey with them... After exchanging a ton of email with Moray James, I decided that I wanted to do some upgrading to them to make them sound at their peak. So, since they are nearly 20 years old, I took out the crossovers (with help from wuzzzer) and sent them to Bob Crites to have the caps replaced. I also embarked on a far more ambitious project (for me) to do some cabinet bracing and dampening. With a lot of guidance from Moray I got all of the materials that I needed and started the project this past weekend. These are the before pictures (after removing the factory installed foam.

My wife is much the same way. If I mention that I'm meeting a forum member, she doesn't bat an eye, but those CL people...that's a whole different story. I've met 3 forum members so far and pm'd with many others. It's been a pleasure each and every time.

Could not agree more...[Y]

+1 These are the mods that I'm doing for my 3s...looking forward to hearing the results. Will try to post some pictures as I'm working on them.

Having Bob Crites replace the caps and such. Nothing major... Gives me some time to do some bracing of the cabinets and some better dampening in them also.

I did chuckle a little as I was writing my first response for the very same reason. Funny thing is, this thread really does have alot more information than calling Klipsch right now will provide (at least in my experience). They really don't have a lot of information on the Epics anymore. So, I can see for someone, like me, that just bought a 3 or 4 how valuable reading this thread would be. They really don't pop up on the market very often...at least that I've seen. I've got mine apart right now with the networks off for a rebuild and the boxes ready for some bracing and dampening work. Looking forward to getting everything back and put together again.

Also remember that Klipsch moved to Version 2s in the fall of 1994, so even if the 4 in your serial numbers still means 1994, they could very easily be verison 2s...

I'm not an expert, but seems to me you have a pair where the serial numbers do not follow the usual format, which does happen. In this case, I'd check the port tubes. Are they 5" long or 2.5"? If they are the 5" tubes, it's likely a version 1 (unless someone swapped the tubes at some point). If they are 2.5" tubes, the best way to tell between version 2 & 3 (in my view) is to check the network wires. If colored then they are version 3, if a clear jacket then version 2. Hope that helps...

Guessing version 3's by the serial number and port tubes. Not sure if the CF4 had the same version changes as the CF3s though.

Thanks Mark! Appreciate the time and assistance in taking them apart - plus, also appreciate the speaker stands you brought over. Will hopefully put them to good use here at some point in the future. Didn't look like the screen really served much purpose other than to keep the dust out, but wanted to check and make sure first. I'll maybe give them a try with them on and with them off once to see if I notice a difference. With the grills on, seems doubtful that anything would really get in there anyway.

Another of the screen itself...

Well, I sent the crossovers out to Bob Crites to have him work his magic, but in doing so, I noticed what looks like a calcium or some other substance built up in one of the tweeters. I took a picture and included it below. Any harm in soaking the screen in some CLR while also using a damp rag to try and remove what's on the driver? Or, other thoughts? I assume that one of the 2 previous owners was trying to clean them up and must've sprayed something in there by mistake...nothing wrong with the other one. Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

Yeah, it's not very specific on the dates, but it'll at least give you pause if, like mine, the serial number puts you into the summer of '95. Your point on the horn is interesting. I did ask whether they had any tubes for the Epics around. The comment back was that Klipsch had "moved on" from the Epics and really had no parts for those speakers. I thought that somewhat interesting... I know you don't have yours any more, but do you remember if the outer part of your horn was a gray color, or was it just around the center? My horns are almost a steel gray inside the center part of the horn, but a charcoal/black color on the outside.

After talking to Klipsch to confirm that my newly acquired Epic CF3s were indeed version 2s, they sent me the following. Not sure if this will help anyone out in the future, but thought I'd at least post it for reference. As for me, time to take a look at the wiring...I think mine are definitely borderline 2 or 3...but at the center of the horn, it's gray...so, here's hoping, but the color of the wires will be the tell-tale sign... EPIC Series Production versions – Rev.1, Rev.2, Rev.3 Rev.1 – Start of Production in Spring of 1994 These models had 5" long port tubes Networks used OFC (monster cable looking) clear jacket wiring. Horns in these models were gray in color. Rev.2 – Fall of 1994 These models had shorter 2.5" long port tubes (to raise the box tuning) Networks had a component / value change to correct for the new ports. (The network wire was still the OFC used in Rev.1.) Rev.3 – Summer of 1995 to end of production in 1996 These models had new lighter cone woofers (new vendor) (these cones aren’t nearly as stiff as the originals and can be deformed much easier by pressing on them) Networks were changed to compensate for the new woofers Change in network wiring to colored 16ga. like what is used in Legend KLF networks New horn material that was 20% glass and was painted black. Serial number decoding for EPIC Series models (or any Klipsch model made from 1990-1997(?)) Production Years Description Example 1990-1997(?) DOY Y2Y1 # # # # (135791234)

If possible, I'd try to give the Reference RF-63 or RF-83 a listen, maybe the RF-7, the Epic CF3 or CF4, Forte, Heresy, and Cornwalls all a listen if I were in your boat. The trouble will be finding them to listen to, but you may find that you like one far better than the others. Easier said than done, I know, but speaking from experience, when I bought my first set I hadn't listened to anything else. I had no idea what speakers sounded good, and what type of sound I really liked. Had the RF-62 system that I really liked, and have heard a lot of the other reference speakers. Some really good speakers in that line, but when I heard my Epic CF3s...I was hooked. Effortlessly fill a room and have a little more forceful presence than the reference that I've listened to. Strictly my opinion, but just what I prefer. Your tastes and results will undoubtedly be different...which is why I'd try to listen to as many as possible...even though it might be difficult. Good luck with your search!

Rhino - First off, welcome to the forum! My advice would be to listen to as many speakers as you can so that you can find out which ones you like and which ones you don't. If you're not married to the idea of buying new, you can get a lot more bang for your buck buying used. But, you need to be patient and wait for the right deal to pop up. Do you have a receiver to power them? Will you be using them more for movies vs music? Any size or space concerns? These answers will help in guiding you to the right set as well.

Found a set...Thanks Dan!

Any ideas as to where I could maybe find these? Thanks!

Glad you like the 818 and XPA setup. I'd be going away from a Yamaha as well...just don't really like the YPAO. I had an Onkyo 809 for a while, until the HDMI board failed...go figure. Really was impressed with the Audyssey MultiEQ XT, and have heard a lot of good things about the XT 32. Plus, there don't seem to be as many HDMI issues with the 818...at least compared to the 809. So, will probably go that route at some point here. Planning to put some TLC into the CF3s (as well as some modifications/upgrades) and get them dialed in to their peak performance. Should be a fun project!

That didn't take long! []