Product Review: RECORDING Magazine – March 2020
reProducer Audio Labs Epic-5 Nearfield Monitor
by Paul Vnuk Jr.
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
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A unique new speaker designed in Germany with boutique sonics, in an affordable, portable package.
reProducer Audio Labs is a new company located in Breisach, Germany. Its inaugural product, launched at the 2019 AES convention in New York, is the Epic-5, a compact 5" nearfield studio monitor designed for professional and project studios alike, with an emphasis on detailed and honest sonics, in a compact, portable package. |
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While the company and speaker are new, there's a design/engineering connection to the folks behind the United Minorities brand, maker of the handmade, ultra-boutique Ginko nearfield monitor.
reProducer Audio Labs aim to take the design ethos, knowledge, and most importantly, the detailed sound found in the boutique monitor world, and with overseas production, make models that are more affordable than their top-shelf counterparts. Designed in Germany and manufactured in China, it’s worth noting that there are no off-the-shelf mass produced or OEM components used in the Epic-5; all parts internal and external are custom designed to strict tolerances. |
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Specs
Frequency Response: |
56-33.000 Hz ±3dB |
Frequency Response: |
45-38.000 Hz ± 10dB |
Amplifier Power: |
2 x 75W RMS, 2 x 150W Peak |
Amplifier Technology: |
Class D, 115dB Dynamic Range, High current and Damping, Response up to 100kHz, very low Noise |
Maximum sound pressure per pair in full space in 1m of 100Hz: |
109 dB(C) SPL |
Power Supply: |
Universal 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz |
Woofer: |
5.25", self-developed, super-fast, resonance free |
Tweeter: |
1", self-developed, metal calotte with resonance chamber |
Crossover: |
2kHz, 24dB/Octave |
Input Impedance balanced (XLR): |
12kOhm |
Input Impedance unbalanced (RCA): |
3.3kOhm |
Input Sensitivity symmetrical: |
+4 dBu |
Input Sensitivity unbalanced: |
-10 dBV |
Trapezoid
The Epic-5 is a 5" nearfield two-way design housed in a trapezoidal MDF cabinet with a stealth-black, Formica-like finish. It measures 10.63 x 7.48 x 9.44" at its widest and weighs 11.46 lbs. It’s a visually unique design that’s part optical illusion—as you move your head from side to side, the cabinet appears to shapeshift before your eyes.
The Epic-5 is a 5" nearfield two-way design housed in a trapezoidal MDF cabinet with a stealth-black, Formica-like finish. It measures 10.63 x 7.48 x 9.44" at its widest and weighs 11.46 lbs. It’s a visually unique design that’s part optical illusion—as you move your head from side to side, the cabinet appears to shapeshift before your eyes.
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Speakers and Radiators
Upper frequencies are handled by a custom-designed ultra-light 1" dome tweeter. The low end is handled via a custom 5.25" coated woofer. The crossover frequency is 2 kHz, 24dB/oct. The Epic-5 is a sealed cabinet design, and its flared trapezoidal design is not merely for looks. Instead of a bass port, the Epic-5 makes use of a bottom-firing 6.25" coated passive radiator. A passive radiator looks just like a speaker, surround and all, minus a center voice coil. Its job is to move in opposition to the woofer to disburse its air and energy. To give the radiator room to breathe, the cabinet rests on 1 6/8" aluminum spikes with optional silicone pads that isolate the speaker while protecting the surface of your desktop, meter bridge, or speaker stands. Power is delivered by a pair of internal Class D 75W RMS amplifiers. For optimum performance, the Epic-5 needs to rest on a flat surface. |
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Connections and Controls
Rear connections include a switchable choice of -10dB RCA unbalanced or +4dB balanced XLR inputs. In addition to a power switch, there’s a switchable stand-by mode that puts the monitor to sleep after a period of inactivity and wakes it from slumber when a signal is present. In the units I was sent, there’s an audible click as the speakers enter standby mode, but not when they wake. There are also a pair of stepped high frequency (±5 dB from 2.5kHz), and low frequency (±5 dB below 250 Hz) trim controls to aid in room correction and for tweaking your listening preferences to taste. |
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On-the-Go
As mentioned, The Epic-5 is made for portability and on-the-go mixing sessions. Sold in pairs, they come in an aluminum carrying case that’s similar to a professional vinyl LP carrying case that a DJ might bring to a gig.
As mentioned, The Epic-5 is made for portability and on-the-go mixing sessions. Sold in pairs, they come in an aluminum carrying case that’s similar to a professional vinyl LP carrying case that a DJ might bring to a gig.
In Use
I set up the Epic-5 system in my home listening and editing space, which is a small untreated room in my house. I spent a few months using them for vocal comping, drum editing, and rough mixing away from my studio. I also used them for casual listening with my PrismSound Callia DAC (reviewed March 2017). Compact monitors naturally come with some constraints. The first is that they're capable of only so much volume and only so much low end extension.
The Epic-5 is intended for accurate nearfield monitoring in relatively small spaces, so if your goal is to have a speaker that cranks and rumbles your room, reProducer suggests the new, larger Epic-55. Despite their size however, these speakers put out consistent and full sound up to about 92dB before the low end started sounding compromised.In the 65 to 80dB range, they sound full, even, clear and full of sonic detail. The Epic-5 is nice and open in the top end, but not harsh or ‘studio monitor bright’. At moderate levels, I could listen and work for hours without noticeable fatigue. The low end is the real surprise. It sounds full and rich, especially at lower levels—even in the 50dB range they never sound anemic. The bottom ported radiator gives them a gentle haptic thump that I quite enjoy. One thing I learned the hard way, is to not put the Epic-5 on top of open, frame-style stands. Any stands you choose must have a flat solid surface to rest on. Otherwise, the added distance from the radiator and the platform surface can affect the bass response, yielding a slightly disconnected low-end that doesn’t sound integrated with the rest of the music. Getting back to editing and listening, I enjoyed working on music and listening to music and movies on the Epic-5, especially at low levels. My room is located between the bedrooms of three other family members. With the Epic-5, I was able to have a full-sounding, uncompromised experience in the 50-60dB range without disturbing anyone, even late at night. I’ll say it again; the Epic-5 sounds great at low and moderate listening levels. Compared to other 5" compact monitors on the market, the Epic-5 tilts more toward the detailed, open, and honest side of the spectrum rather than hyped or warm, which is just fine with my tastes for both music making and music enjoyment.
I set up the Epic-5 system in my home listening and editing space, which is a small untreated room in my house. I spent a few months using them for vocal comping, drum editing, and rough mixing away from my studio. I also used them for casual listening with my PrismSound Callia DAC (reviewed March 2017). Compact monitors naturally come with some constraints. The first is that they're capable of only so much volume and only so much low end extension.
The Epic-5 is intended for accurate nearfield monitoring in relatively small spaces, so if your goal is to have a speaker that cranks and rumbles your room, reProducer suggests the new, larger Epic-55. Despite their size however, these speakers put out consistent and full sound up to about 92dB before the low end started sounding compromised.In the 65 to 80dB range, they sound full, even, clear and full of sonic detail. The Epic-5 is nice and open in the top end, but not harsh or ‘studio monitor bright’. At moderate levels, I could listen and work for hours without noticeable fatigue. The low end is the real surprise. It sounds full and rich, especially at lower levels—even in the 50dB range they never sound anemic. The bottom ported radiator gives them a gentle haptic thump that I quite enjoy. One thing I learned the hard way, is to not put the Epic-5 on top of open, frame-style stands. Any stands you choose must have a flat solid surface to rest on. Otherwise, the added distance from the radiator and the platform surface can affect the bass response, yielding a slightly disconnected low-end that doesn’t sound integrated with the rest of the music. Getting back to editing and listening, I enjoyed working on music and listening to music and movies on the Epic-5, especially at low levels. My room is located between the bedrooms of three other family members. With the Epic-5, I was able to have a full-sounding, uncompromised experience in the 50-60dB range without disturbing anyone, even late at night. I’ll say it again; the Epic-5 sounds great at low and moderate listening levels. Compared to other 5" compact monitors on the market, the Epic-5 tilts more toward the detailed, open, and honest side of the spectrum rather than hyped or warm, which is just fine with my tastes for both music making and music enjoyment.
Wrap up
From its looks to its sound, the Epic-5 is a unique little box. If you need to work on a beautifully detailed, highly portable, great-sounding monitor, custom made for small spaces and uncompromised low volume listening, the Epic-5 is worth a closer look, and better yet a closer listen.
From its looks to its sound, the Epic-5 is a unique little box. If you need to work on a beautifully detailed, highly portable, great-sounding monitor, custom made for small spaces and uncompromised low volume listening, the Epic-5 is worth a closer look, and better yet a closer listen.
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