Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater EP500

This is my first post here. I am looking for a sub to complete (at least for now) my home theater. Initially I was looking to stay small and was thinking either the Velo SPL-1200 or the Paradigm Seismic 12. I have decided to go larger and reap the benefits of a larger sub, but since it is a living room, I can't go too big.
My room is just shy of 3000 cubic feet.
How does the EP500 compare to HSU and SVS subs. I would hope for the price, it would be better than the VTF-3, but what would you guess is the SVS that can be reasonably compared to the EP500?

Thanks in advance
Greg

Greg - I have an EP-500 due here tomorrow, and it will get a pretty thorough shakedown, including against a PB12-Ultra. Stay Tuned.

Craig! You bought another one?!

I told you. Axioms are like tribbles... the damn things just keep showing up.

Hmm... mine aren't breeding well. Maybe I need to put them closer together?

Are you leaving your credit card by the computer ? That seems to encourage them....

Hmm... My credit cards are all stuck firmly in my wallet. Maybe that's the problem. I'll have to dig out the pliers.

As usual, pretty funny stuff, guys. By Friday night, We should have a pair of EP-600's and and EP-500. Look for LOTS of stuff on subwoofers soon.

SMOKIN'

Man, I hope your house has a solid foundation. Of course, given all the shakin' you've been putting it through over the years...

You know - Other than handling "peak SPL stuff" for reviews, I just run the system at the normal 75 dB levels for most movie dialogue. What is impressive is how some soundtracks will throw off a 110 dB, 22 Hz bass spectacular at this level.

Having a subwoofer arrangement which handles this much bass is a great experience.

Oh, I'm sure. Someday I will have a new sub...

Craig, I look forward to reading your assessment of the EP500, especially compared to similarly-priced offerings from SVS.

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SMOKIN'

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I hope you'll pardon me for quoting myself, and for going off topic, but when I posted that last night I couln't understand where the heck using that word to sort of mean "GREAT!" came from. This morning, (if you'll pardon the pun) came the dawn. It was from The Mask with Jim Carrey. Now I haven't seen that movie in years, so can someone explain how I can remember that, yet can't remember if I've eaten breakfast yet. (I don't think I have. Better do it)

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

Sometimes traumatic events are burned more deeply in the mental memory pathways than mundane ones. That would certainly account for that movie.

Craig,

I noticed you were Beta testing the SMS-1. I am debating getting one of those to go along with my EP500 or just load up on more music and concert dvd's. I am intrigued by the trim settings on the EP500. My current sub is relatively flat with a 7-8db dip in the 40-55hz region. According to the Audioholics review, that is exactly the area effected by the trim setting. If that is the case, I may be in luck with EP500 and not need the SMS-1.

Any thoughts on how good the SMS-1 is?

Greg

Greg - The SMS-1 is an excellent unit, and will help achieve a flat frequency response. However... it is going to be around $500 street price - so if the trim settings can "get you there" in regards to your response curve, the monsy may be spent better elsewhere.

Oh - and all the stuff arrived while I was home to let the dog out. There are now twin EP-600's hooked up. I am back at the office for a west coast conference call (on a FRIDAY ... grrrrrrrr) ... but there will be abuse ... err ... tests done this weekend.

If you abuse that 500, I'm calling your local Department of Subwoofer Services, and they'll come and take that sub away from you, and put you in jail.

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Oh - and all the stuff arrived while I was home to let the dog out.

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Coincidence? BrotherBob ponders.

Another set of twin EP600's up and running, no wonder the wind, rain and fires have been rampant as of late.

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If you abuse that 500, I'm calling your local Department of Subwoofer Services, and they'll come and take that sub away from you, and put you in jail.

Jack

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If subwoofer abuse was a crime, I would be in the terrorist camp in Gitmo by now.

And Jack Nicholson would order you a "code red."

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Another set of twin EP600's up and running, no wonder the wind, rain and fires have been rampant as of late.

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I thought the band was Earth, Wind and Fire ...

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I thought the band was Earth, Wind and Fire ...

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Uh huh, I do believe that would be the band!

So far, We have watched The Hulk and listened to some music with the EP-500. Early impressions are very positive - more later, but for now, it can shake a pretty large room.

Thank goodness for that, because with my impatience and compulsiveness, I ordered one already. It should arrive later in the week. Any additional impressions you could provide throughout the week would be much appreciated. As Tom Petty says "The Waiting is the Hardest Part"

Thanks
Greg

For tonight's entertainment, we have "Shaun of the Dead" on - and this single subwoofer is totally shaking the room.

It also has the ability to grab and release a note as well as my Velodyne DD-18. I think it is a major find.

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and this single subwoofer is totally shaking the room.

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Would that be 'single' as in 500?

Yes ... The single 500. This little guy (and trust me, it looks little next to the 600) is a tremendous performer.

The way it pressurized the room in Shaun of the Dead was really impressive.

That's cool Craig, without ever listening to a 500 I thought it had quite a punch to it. I was thinking about that the other day whenever somebody here on the board (Mark?) was asking about the difference between the 500 and 350, for some reason I immediately though the comparison should have been between the 600 and 500.

Just don't say anything about this on that 'other' board...OK?

Thanks for the additional info,

I am really getting excited now. The fact that you would even mention the EP500 in the same breath as the DD18 is pretty cool.

Craig,

I would really like to know how the 500 compares to the Ultra?

Thanks

It is great that you asked about that - I have a new Ultra Driver coming in, after we blew one out in a ground plane test.

We will be doing a swap out and listening comparison between the EP-500 and the Ultra AND the Rocket UFW-12 starting this weekend.

For a refresher, the room is 4465^3 feet and sealed - so it is no easy room.

I would love to know that as well, but I do have some perspective on it. I am sure that if the EP500 doesn't quite match up to the Ultra, many of the SVSers will jump all over it because of similar price points. Even though they are the same price, they are of different sizes. I am coming from higher priced smaller subs, and you definitely pay a premium for a smaller with performance. Not that the EP500 is small by any means, but with its size, I couldn't have gone with the Ultra even if it outperforms the EP500.

Of course if the EP500 does matche up to the Ultra, I would be thrilled.

I thought I posted a reply to this, so if this repeats, sorry in advance.

So Craig, what do you think about all of the "hullabaloo" over on AVS. My EP500 arrives tomorrow or Friday, and I am sure it will sound great. To be honest, I don't need the be all, end all in SPL. In my 3000 square foot room, I can't see myself ever playing louder than 10-15dB below reference. I am more concerned with sound quality, and of course impact when needed

Greg

Greg - I think there will be more than a few eyebrows raised before we finish. Worry not, your room will be rocking.

3000 sq feet, or cu feet? 3000 sq feet is larger than the entire lot my house is on.

Your not going to believe your ears. Get yourself a Bach Fugue

(is like listening to the voice of God !
Johann Sebastian Bach's
Toccata & Fugue in d minor )

for organ and you'll hear just how musical a sub can be.

Thanks guys,

I actually am not at all worried. I really think SVS is an amazing company, but it is so comical to me how defensive SVS owners are. I can't wait for the sub to get here.

I actually did mean 3000 cubic feet.

Since my wife and I are going away this weekend for our anniversary, the listening may have to wait until next week. Does it make me a bad person to wish we were going away a different weekend so I can play with my new toy?

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Does it make me a bad person to wish we were going away a different weekend so I can play with my new toy?

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No. What makes you a terrible person is to be actually going.

Have a great weekend, Gollum.

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but it is so comical to me how defensive SVS owners are.

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I have an idea why. Earlier this year I had some friends over with their subs to do a pretty basic head-to-head session. I posted the results stating that the SVS was a phenomenal perfomer for the money. The others were a Hsu and my EP350. We actually liked all of the subs, and we thought the SVS should rate as it did being that it was roughly $400 more than the others. The result of that post was my being labeled as a shill for SVS, that being the most benign accusation. And I don't even own an SVS. (A quick note- most of the regulars here defended me or at least stayed very neutral.) So I can appreciate the "bunker mentality" affecting many SV Subs owners.