Jim Naseum Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I like my choruses ok, but when I read about these Epic series I really got enthused about a two way. I've been looking for these CF4 but they are hard to find. I wonder if any expert here (maybe the boys ferom the exclusive heritage club?) can say what are the right serial numbers or other clues to be sure one is getting the Series 1 units? What problems to look for? How to know if one has been modded? these look like very cool speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Keep the Chorus or find a set of Chorus II, maybe add a good sub for an upgrade or capacitors on the crossover. Just my opinion. If you decide to experiment don't get rid of the Chorus set just in case. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Naseum Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 sure....i won't dump thje choruses unless the epics are better. C'mon epic people...chime in! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaDude Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 The version 1 has the long port tubes that are a bit more than 5 inches long. And they would have an early 1994 serial number. I'm not sure when the change to the version 2 took place, and I don't think I've ever seen/read when it occurred (serial number wise)... but they will have a shorter (3 inch) port tube. And there was a slight change to the crossover. Version 3... again, not sure when the change happened, had different (lighter) woofers and more crossover changes. There's lots of discussion on here if you search for it. But the port tube length is the easiest way to verify a version 1, along with the early 1994 serial number. And they (CF-3 & CF-4) don't appear for sale very often. So if you want a pair, be willing to search near and far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmjungbluth Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I've had Klipschorns and Cornwalls and still have my CF-4 Series 1. I've also had CF-4 Series 2, which were produced only days away from my Series 1 in 1994. There is a difference in sound between 1 and 2 (I had them next to one another in a room for a demo) but not enough to keep me from buying the Series 2 - they are still very very good speakers. The lore states that Series 1 have the longer ports, 'monster' wiring, and grey horns. I think changes were made on the line in a rolling fashion so there may be individual exceptions. I really like my CF-4s. They're much easier to place than the Klipschorns and the Cornwalls due to being narrower. They are still pretty heavy and tall, and due to their depth (about 19") they stick out a bit if you need to push them up against a wall. They are still very efficient and produce great bass and image very well. It's not a heritage sound but I like it very much. There are just as many mods out there for the CF series as for Heritage. But replacement parts are much harder to come by - the tweeters and woofers are no longer being made and to my knowledge there is no substitute for the woofers. So test any speakers you are looking at to make sure everything works. The woofers' voice coils can sag and rub. If you have any additional questions I'd be happy to try and answer. Good luck and enjoy! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Naseum Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 Maybe you want to unload those old CF4s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapsnb01 Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 As has been said, the longer port tubes will differentiate version 1 from 2&3. To differentiate 2 from 3 you need to check the networks and see if it's clear monster cable jackets or colored (black, red, and green) jackets. Colored wire jackets are only used on version 3. I have yet to run across someone that has owned a set of CF 3s or 4s that didn't like them. I'm biased because I own them, but I wouldn't trade them for anything I've heard to date. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JiminSTL Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 (edited) Maybe wvu80 has a word or two to say? He is a resident expert on the CF series, and has much to offer about them (and other series). Edited September 12, 2015 by JiminSTL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 (edited) Thanks Jim, all the other posts directly upstream ^^^ have covered it all, right on the money. The problem is finding a pair, as they don't come on the market all that often, especially the version 1's. I do have the CF-4 version 1 which I have modified by bracing the cab, damping the horn with silicon seal, adding some polyfil in the bottom of the cab while removing the dual 3/4 layers of foam (bottom set only). I swapped out the stock compression drivers for some EV DH1506. The CF-4's sound tremendous stock, you really don't need to put a lot of money into updated cross overs and fancy compression drivers. The best mods were the $10 silicon treatment on the horn and the polyfil, another $5. Those two mods reduced some harshness found in the HF range and I thought made the CF-4 VERY accurate in terms of reproducing a piano which actually sounded like a piano, a very hard task for any speaker to do accurately. This may sound funny, but not only are they are fun to listen to, they are also easy to mod, which is also fun. Edited September 12, 2015 by wvu80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Naseum Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 What would be the shortcoming compared to say, Klipschorns? Sent from my SM-T330NU using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) What would be the shortcoming compared to say, Klipschorns? I've never compared the two, so I can't say, but I think I can offer some other observations. In general one shortcoming would be power requirements. Khorns like tubes and need little power, the CF-4's are OK with SS amps and really seem to shine with high power, some recommend bi-amping sending as much as 200 wpc to the woofs. The bi-amping with the extra lower-end power helps beef up the balance since most think the HF overpowers the lower frequency. I use a 110 wpc Onk AVR and the CF-4's play as loud as I can stand, but others have upped the power and the CF-4 will take as much as you give them without complaint. The reason people most often tout the CF-4 and CF-3 is because they DON'T sound like the Khorns, LS, etc. They don't have the characteristic horn coloration, they are loud without being honky. Edited September 13, 2015 by wvu80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khornbred Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 What would be the shortcoming compared to say, Klipschorns? Sent from my SM-T330NU using Tapatalk a sore *** from sitting on a wallet that still has money left in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Haha.... good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 MrCatsup what did you end up doing buying or passing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS121996 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Having had version 1s, 2s and CF-3s, I think you need to look at more than port length to decide if it's a version 1. The longer port can be swapped into a version 2 and you would be none the wiser. I'd like to think someone wouldn't do that, but I'm not that naive. They all sound great, I just had to make a decision and went with the Heritage gear. Oh and a pair of RB-5s in one of the bedrooms Just my .02 Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhound Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) I'm looking to get a set of Cf4's V2 next week, they are pretty rough cosmetically but if they sound good I can get the cabinets refinished. Sorry I just thread crapped I'll wait until I'm an owner to post anymore Edited January 4, 2016 by rockhound 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapsnb01 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I'm looking to get a set of Cf4's V2 next week, they are pretty rough cosmetically but if they sound good I can get the cabinets refinished. Sorry I just thread crapped I'll wait until I'm an owner to post anymore Congrats...hope you enjoy them. Let us know your impressions once you get em. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogwylde09 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Dave, are you attending the gathering this year? If so I would like to discuss in detail, what benefits would be, to mod my v3. CF4'S to v1. A former member here has 3 or 4 pair woofers. K 30 cone stamps. But from results I have seen, I think they are v3. Correct me if I am wrong. But I believe v1 and 2 used K29?Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogwylde09 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Anyway may not be a bad idea just to get them, just in case. I play pretty loud sometimes.Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Lima Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 A good place to get info on the Epic series. Helped me find my CF-4 v1 babies. Bringing the tweeters up to ear level fleshes out the sound a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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