Two VERY Different Grinders - Encore ESP vs. Opus

[@bobbyb3543]

confused, didnt seem like you factored the internal burr settings on the Opus. They should change the espresso clicks by 16microns, less than the ESP's 20 microns per click. Should be just as good to dial in Opus if not more than ESP.

[@st8113]

Right? What's the point of the video if you're going to completely ignore the expresso-orientated adjustability?

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@st8113 Yeah maybe because it's difficult or awkward to figure out the grind adjustment using the micro adjustment but to say each step makes a huge 30 second espresso shot time change and ignore the micro adjustment seems odd.

[@Ra-hs7vr]

Great work with the graphs and numbers! really helped to understand the grind size.

[@jorhay1]

Thank You! Lance, Kyle and you are almost the only ones comparing the two. Most of everyone else’s video don’t even mention the ESP

[@christoslianos9329]

I fear that the Grid Uniformity chart is totally wrong and misleading. On the x-axis the scale corresponds to the settings of the grinder and not the aimed granulometry. Since Encore's settings are more like exponential and Opus' more linear one of the two graphs must undergo a "transformation" in order for them to have the corresponding values for the same inputs. It’s more of "corresponding" settings and not "opposing" settings. To conclude, changing the x-axis to Grind Setting's Granulometry, roughly speaking either the first half of the blue line must be "compressed" and the second one "expanded", or the first half of the red line must be "expanded" and the second one "compressed". That would give valuable comparing information.

[@stantonlloyd242]

Great video, really helped me with my decision!

[@larryharkreader3763]

My biggest pet peeve on grinding is the NOISE. First thing in the morning I don't want grinding noise reverberating through my head. But nobody seems to review the decibel level of the grinders.

[@nitewalker163]

The opus is quieter

[@BensCoffeeRants]

I saw a review recently the Opus was 70db vs 80 on the encore but the encore sounded lower pitched to me which might be preferable... hard to say without hearing them both in person.

[@XGempler]

Excellent review. If I didn't have such a negative experience with Baratza customer service in the past that would be the way to go despite it looking like your grandpa's grinder ;) One thing i learned from another review of the Opus is the micro adjustment inside that lets one dial in espresso. A confusing design for sure, but possible, and something that was missing from your otherwise thorough review. Thank you!

[@BensCoffeeRants]

I'm curious about the taste profile if there's any significant difference between flavour clarity / body. The ESP has a bit higher RPM so that might translate to lower clarity and higher body (which is actually what I'm currently looking for since I have high clarity grinders already).

[@JosephLibrizzi]

Completely missed the fact that each step in the espresso range for the ESP is 20 microns and using the inner ring the Opus can make steps of 16.6 microns.

[@timhanley4396]

Great advice would it be better to have 2 grinders one for espresso one for drip

[@Cuatexoft1]

Could you do a video comparing it against the Breville Smart Grinder Pro ?

[@HomeGroundsCoffee]

Great idea!

[@DeeDeeDanone]

Yes!! A blind taste test would be good too.

[@zouaghiahmed22]

Breville smart grinder and the melitta calibra also. Already have this machine and its job is pretty decent.

[@classicboyonly]

Great video Any thoughts on the ESP vs Smart Grinder Pro?

[@BensCoffeeRants]

I'd think the ESP should be better but not sure, if you're upgrading from that I think you're better off jumping to a flat burr grinder, assuming you want more flavour clarity and are getting good medium or lighter roasts not dark roasts.

[@AJGraham83]

Thanks! I was excited about the Opus but was baffled by the adjustment approach. The ESP fits what I’m looking for better. I really like the design of the Opus better. Such a miss with the adjustment approach 😢. If I were to add $100 to my budget, is there an option that’s just as easy as the ESP to adjust with better results?

[@HomeGroundsCoffee]

Glad the video was helpful! Agree about the limitations on the Opus, a bit of a disappointment. Honestly, I don't think you'll find much better under $400 than the ESP. I would say maybe a DF64 is the next step up.

[@AJGraham83]

@@HomeGroundsCoffee thank you for taking the time to address my inquiry. If you have a review of the DF64 I’ll check it out!

[@HomeGroundsCoffee]

Yes we have a video review on this channel, check it out!

[@caml4087]

I have an ode gen 2 for anything above espresso. Encore ESP is literally the perfect machine for me + call me crazy but I'd rather spend the extra money on a better espresso machine.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Wrong! The Opus is just more complicated to dial in maybe due to the micro adjustment but it actually has more granularity so you can adjust the grind size more precisely for espresso!

[@skyylarpearl4125]

Price ranges??

[@mapleridge8]

Google is your friend....