Digital BW, The Print

After numerous test prints under a variety of settings using nascent 
epson software provided with the printer and no third party RIP,the 
combination that I found works best for B&W prints is as follows:
1. WORK  AND PRINT in Adobe1998 color space. DO NOT use any "Epson 
print space" settings( such as Epson 2200 matte MK) or you will be 
rewarded with a spectrum of casts, usually magenta and /or green,  
depending on other settings. Obviously , I did not try every color 
space combination , but the above seems to work.
2. Always use the photorealistic color setting under the "advanced" 
settings.Do not use "no color management" or you'll be rewarded with
smudged shadow areas /loss of detail.
3.For best results with minimal color shifts in various lighting, use 
Matte paper and matte black ink.

With these settings I've found that my grays and blacks actually 
match what I see on the monitor.I've have only dealt with B&W and 
don't know if the above holds up for color prints. I am satisfied 
with the prints I'm getting  now , but I wish Epson would refund all 
the ink and paper I used to come to this conclusion.Their manual that 
comes with the printer will send you off in the wrong direction for 
B&W.Maybe this will save someone else many hours of frustration.