Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Subwoofer design, ported vs closed, ep600 vs ep800

I should clarify my comment about the PB13 having more punch. The sonic signatures of the 2 subs is different. The PB13, IMO, appeared to hit harder and have a lower note to it, at quieter volumes. The EP600 has a smoother sound and to me just didn't hit me like the the PB13 does at low volumes. I have used the term expansive to describe the sonic signature of the EP subs, because it seems to really resonate through out the room.

Jason - at the risk of putting words in your/Alan's mouth, it could be that you/Alan are saying the same thing. Since the PB13 plays a little lower than the 600, it could be a bump you're hearing at the lowest frequencies from the PB13 that changes the overall impression (though not much music goes that low, HT definitely does).

Jason

I believe we are. I am making my asertations based on HT for sure, I actually liked the EP600 a little better for music, but really missed the low end thump I could feel with the PB13 while watching movies, especially at the lower volumes required while the kids are sleeping.

I really do need to start experimenting with the sealed part of the equation, as I have mine corner loaded at the momment so I should see some significant gains down low.

I think you'll like it... here is the difference I saw between 20 Hz mode and 10 Hz (sealed) mode in my room. A difference of 23 dB at 10hz (whoa) and ~9 dB at 14 Hz. It is definitely a noticeable change.

I think I know what I am doing this weekend, well besides my youngests birthday party

Mine's this weekend too (10/4). Though with our own little one keeping us busy, I imagine we'll stay fairly subdued.

(I hope to be spending my weekend installing my Algonquins... I'm making a bit assumption my wife actually picked them up for me. She doesn't know how disappointed I'm going to be if she didn't!

Keep us updated and let me be the first to wish you an early happy birthday!

Although I never ended up posting my impressions of the PB13 Ultra Vs. EP500, my view is essentially the same as Myrison and Jakewash, only more so, perhaps because I compared a 500 as opposed to a 600. I kept the PB13. (I still have the 500, tho!).

For me, both subs were basically the same sounding until I found the correct phase setting for the PB13. The thing came alive, and I was finally able to dial in the clean 'punch' I so desired thru the SMS-1 for movies and music. What I dialed in isn't perfectly linear, but I like what I hear and feel, chest thump and all. It's deep, powerful and clean.

The EP500 is no slouch by any means. I do enjoy the 'expansive' sound it has, as Jakewash puts it, for music. Hmm Myrison...I must give the sealed mode a try again...

Glad to hear I've given you both something fun to play with over the weekend. That is definitely one fun thing about that SVS sub. There are a lot of different options to enjoy. (It's not for everyone to be sure as it makes setup quite complicated with all the bells & whistles it has, but it's quite nice for those among us who like to tinker).

Jason

Very interesting, thank you for the detailed response, that was very informative.

Your post left me wondering about one detail regarding the upcoming ep800 though; you state that it is driven by 800 watts of amplifier power but the audioholics writeup of the most recent tour reported it as 1,000: "Since both drivers are wired in parallel, the rated amplifier output jumps up from 600 watts to 1000 watts making me wonder why they just don’t call it an EP1000."