Epos ES-14N Bookshelf Speaker, Tiffany Blue (Pair)

The Epos ES-14N is a 2-way bookshelf speaker that revives the legendary British monitor ES-14 as a complete new design by Karl-Heinz Fink.

This Tiffany Blue version stands apart: alongside the three standard finishes black, white and walnut, this blue is a special-edition colour in a small run. Nothing changes technically – a 178 mm polypropylene mid-woofer, a 28 mm aluminium-ceramic composite dome tweeter, a heavily damped sandwich cabinet. Supplied as a pair.

Why the ES-14N?

Because behind the storied name is a complete new development. The cabinet walls are a damped layered structure with internal bracing that takes the energy out of resonances before they arrive as coloration. The tweeter runs without ferrofluid, and a deliberate, gentle dip around 2 to 3 kHz means even higher levels never turn fatiguing. Crossover is at 2,700 Hz.

What you hear

Sharply defined imaging, voices with body, and bass that grips rather than piles on. The reflex port sits at the rear and is tuned to 38 Hz – a remarkably deep foundation for a cabinet this size, as long as the rear wall isn't too close.

Who is the ES-14N for?

Plain talk: for anyone who wants an honest monitor and is willing to give it the conditions it needs – 40 to 50 cm of wall clearance and a solid stand. Push it onto a shelf or into a niche and you're hearing a different, worse speaker. Even weakly produced recordings don't get prettier here, just more understandable. From around 15 to 20 m² of room size, it's in its element.

Our verdict

Special colour aside: the ES-14N convinces acoustically first, by making itself all but disappear with correct placement. Hi-Fi News awarded it "Outstanding Product" in issue 7/2023. Since the blue isn't a permanent part of the line-up, a quick call to HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is worthwhile – we'll clarify availability, lead time, and the question of the right amplifier in the same conversation.

Technical data

• Type: 2-way bass-reflex bookshelf speaker, passive
• Mid-woofer: 178 mm, polypropylene cone, 35 mm voice coil, hybrid ferrite/neodymium magnet
• Tweeter: 28 mm dome, aluminium-ceramic composite
• Crossover frequency: 2,700 Hz
• Frequency range: 40 Hz – 23,000 Hz (-6 dB), 33 Hz – 25,000 Hz (-10 dB)
• Sensitivity: 87 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Impedance: above 6 Ω on average, minimum 4.3 Ω at 160 Hz
• Distortion: 0.2% THD at 1 W
• Recommended amplifier power: from around 50 W
• Cabinet: damped sandwich panels with bracing, rear bass reflex, tuned to 38 Hz
• Connection: single-wiring, 4 mm banana terminal
• Placement: stands recommended (stand height 515 mm), 40–50 cm wall clearance
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 25 × 49.1 × 38.5 cm
• Weight: 16 kg per speaker, 32 kg per pair
• Finish: Tiffany Blue (special colour)
• Scope of delivery: pair of ES-14N, front covers, documentation; stands available separately

Frequently asked questions

What's different about the blue version compared with black, white and walnut?

Only the looks. Drivers, crossover, cabinet and tuning are identical to the three standard finishes; it's measured as the same speaker. Nothing changes in sound. The blue version runs outside the regular range and is correspondingly rare – if you want it, don't wait too long to decide.

What connections does the ES-14N have on the back?

A single terminal for 4 mm banana plugs, made in Germany, deliberately kept low-mass. Bi-wiring and bi-amping aren't provided for, so you need one speaker cable per side. Right next to it sits the bass-reflex port – another reason to give the speaker some distance from the wall. Around 40 to 50 centimetres is enough.

How big does the room need to be for the ES-14N?

It feels at home from around 15 to 20 square metres. In very small rooms, the bass tuned to 38 Hz quickly becomes too present; in very large rooms, it eventually runs out of level. For a typical living room, the size is chosen just right.

Why buy the Epos ES-14N in this special colour at HD Zürisee?

Because a special colour doesn't replace advice: we clarify availability, lead time, placement and the right amplifier with you before you commit. After that, our own technician takes care of connection and fine-tuning at your home. A call or a message is all it takes.

Goes well with

A matching integrated amplifier, a pair of sturdy speaker stands and a good speaker cable turn the pair into a system. You'll find further alternatives in this format among the bookshelf speakers.