I've been meaning to comment on this thread. (Nice idea for a thread, btw.)
This past fall I bought some Epos Epic 5 speakers after a lot of on-line research. I would not normally buy speakers without being able to hear them first, but my findings suggested to me that it was a gamble worth taking - I'm glad I did. I was looking for a large stand-mount or small-ish floor standing speaker (small-ish room) with decent sensitivity and 4 Ohm nominal impedance to mate with a couple of small Magnavbox tube amps I had recently refurbished. I was attempting a conscious downsize of my system as well as trying to dip my toes into the tube pool; this was an affordable way to so and these speakers seemed to fit the bill. Furthermore, I had visited a few audio shows recently and noticed that I really preferred the treble from speakers that used soft-dome tweeters and was really beginning to notice that most of the metal-dome tweeters did things I didn't like. (My main speakers at the time were big Vandersteens with 1" metal tweeters, although I do have to admit they are the least metal-sounding metal tweeters I've ever heard.) After hearing some Epos speakers (I forget which ones) at a hi-fi showroom in downtown Seattle while on vacation this summer, I found an on-line deal for a brand new set of Cherry Epic 5 that I could not pass up. So I didn't.
I have found the speakers to be very satisfying and very musical. I think the treble sounds smooth, though not without detail, and very easy to listen to for an extended time. (Contrasting the problems of the M(i) series discussed above, maybe they learned a lesson.) The bass opened up a little over time and they reach very low with ease. The midrange is very nice, natural without being overly lush, and well-balanced overall. Again, the highs are smooth and easy, but with clarity and detail - very well done. I've also recently upgraded my DAC and noticed a further improvement in upper-end resolution, still without any edginess or fatigue.
I have done some looking at the new Elan series and I really think they are just a re-dressing of the Epics. The baffle is slightly re-worked and they are wrapped in real veneer as opposed to the (exceptionally well done) vinyl on the Epics, but the sizes and general specs. are identical, so I suspect the Epics were proven winners and simply got new clothes and a more "audiophile" price. (I saw the Seattle dealer in Denver at RMAF in October and asked him about it, but he didn't know the details.)
Though I'm using essentially old "junque" gear upstream from them (with good results), I'd be willing to bet that a nice Musical Fidelity M1 amplifier would be a killer combination with the Epic/Elan series. Maybe somebody should try that combo and let us know? :thmbsp: