Home Theatre/TV: Theophany Epiphany M3e, C3e and Sub1 AV Speaker System Review – 69

In an extremely rare alignment of fate and good luck, I’d somehow managed to persuade my financial advisor that getting new speakers was not only definitely in her interests, but that they’d also fit in with her stringent aesthetic requirements while fulfilling my equally demanding sonic sensibilities. My last speakers were huge floorstanders, done out in a black finish straight from the Darth Vader school of design. They were big, beastly and bashed out some truly brutal audio. My wife hated them. Clearly any replacements had to be petite, stylish and blend into the interior of our 1915 villa. Oh, and they’d have to sound good too.

With rimu speaker cabinets and drivers hand made using Kiwi ingenuity and a generous dollop of know-how, Christchurch-based Theophany had exactly what I was after. Theophany’s unique loudspeaker designs and high-end performance have begun to attract rave reviews in both the local and international audio scene, so I was naturally curious to see what they had to offer. After several long conversations about my tricky speaker needs with Theophany’s ever-patient founder Garth Murray, it quickly became apparent that the Epiphany range best suited our needs.

After several long weeks of waiting the speakers finally arrived. Eagerly unpacking them, I was instantly struck by just how exactly their design met all my wife’s requirements. At a mere 420 x 110 x 190 the M3e fronts and the C3e centre (110 x 390 x 190) were not only petite, but also beautifully crafted with a rimu finish and an arrestingly curvaceous form factor.

The word ‘epiphany’ means “an inspired understanding arising from connecting with profound insight” (thanks Wikipedia!), which proved to be pretty apt. Powering up my amp, throwing Conray’s Mefasolate into my CD player, it quickly became apparent that Theophany was definitely onto something. Moving onto some 5.1 surround audio, I chucked Saving Private Ryan into my DVD player and flicked to the Normandy landing scene. Bullets ricocheted across my lounge while artillery blasts just about shook my house clean off its foundations. After reassuring neighbours there really was no need to call the armed offenders squad, I had a quiet cuppa to steady my shell-shocked nerves and marvelled at the sheer ingenuity of these splendid speakers.

Where my old speakers used brute force to crudely bash air against my ear drums, the Epiphany M3e fronts and C3e centre were uncannily accurate. My lounge was filled with an incredibly detailed, almost three-dimensional soundstage. The Sub1 didn’t lack either, delivering tightly controlled bass exactly where it was needed with no extra boom or waffle. Inspired understanding indeed – the Epiphanies were definitely providing profound insight (or should that be ear sight?)

Tapping the side of the M3e speaker cabinets produced a dull, inert thud, indicating the cabinets have been designed solidly to avoid unwanted audio resonance or colouration. The liberal use of smooth curves also means that there are no parallel surfaces, so standing waves and similar distortion are practically non-existent. A sloping front also increases audio timing accuracy between the woofer and tweeter, while a slight curve on the M3e’s fascia minimises air turbulence in front of both drivers for improved audio delivery.

Rounding things out, the M3es also have a top-mounted driver, which helps to deliver amazing depth to the already incredibly detailed soundstage produced by the Epiphanys.

In a nutshell, the Epiphanies delivered incredibly transparent, accurate and utterly engaging audio, lifting detail out CDs I never knew was there. This was definitely the beginning of a long and wonderful audio epiphany.

Details

Theophany

Epiphany M3e, C3e and Sub1 AV Speaker System

M3e $2999, C3e $1499, Sub1 $2199

M3e Fronts

Enclosure: Down-firing ported chamber

Frequency Response: 40Hz to 37kHz +/-2dB

Sensitivity: 89dB efficient 1w at 1m

Nominal Impedance: 4ohm

Power Handling: 130 watts

C3e Centre

Enclosure: Side-firing ported chamber

Frequency Response: 40Hz to 37kHz +/-2db

Sensitivity: 88dB efficient 1w at 1m

Nominal Impedance: 4ohm

Power Handling: 130 watts

Sub1

Enclosure: Sealed curved chamber.

Frequency Response: 23 to 120Hz 350 watt amplifier, 900 watt RMS 10-inch driver

Pros

• Engaging  and uncannily accurate audio

• Beautiful design

Cons

• Not cheap (but worth every cent)

Verdict

Incredible audio and fantastic looks make the Epiphanies a showcase for Kiwi ingenuity at its finest. 5/5

Contact: www.theophanyloudspeakers.com

PAT PILCHER

This review is from Tone issue #69.