Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater help on sub choice

OK, first I know I do not need more than one sub, but I want two. thats a period two subs, unless we are talking the EP800.
I am not getting into the discussion about omni-directional and what is too much or too little. That's why there are volumn controls on the subs, so if I have two I can adjust them and turn them down.

My room is 15 x 28 well the Viewing is 15 x 21 x 8. extra 7 ft is entrance and popcorn bar to be.
I have been researching and researching and going nuts. Here is what I am down to, mind you given most companies are online buying, you cannot hear/compare any but the Paradigm's and or Energy's.

I want to spend no more than $2500 - $3000 for subs and well cheaper is better I want bang for buck with the best sound.
Which is why after alot of consideration and previously owning Axiom's M80 vp150 and QS8's, I am going to get Axiom once again for the main 7. I have eliminated Enrgy's RF-70 system and was down to Paradigm Studio 60 or 100 but at $6800 and $7500 for the Seven speakers that's alittle much. Plus, the post here from that guy in Cali about he owns the Studio's and just bought Axioms M80 and well I think every room is Axiom something now. His reply, that there was not a lot of difference except for the $$$ made me realize, I should stick with what I like.
Now the dissision is Real Wood Cherry for the M80 or HG Cherry or All Outlets. The VP150 and QS8's are all going to be outlet bought. So goes for the sub(s) anyways to topic on hand

Help ..... here are my options I am down to and if you have heard any or can/have compared other than just internet research please comment and just a little about why you choose the sub. Also, please feel to comment on which is best for this size room two EP500 or the EP 800.

My choices are down too:
Two EP 500 $2510
EP 800 $2664
Two HSU VTF3 MK3 quote coming but $1000 ea
Two HSU ULS-15 quote coming but $2349 pair plus shipping
Two SVS SB12 $1900
Two Rythmik Audio 12's $2200

Thanks

PS I also reviewed that Finnish guys post on his testing of subs and HSU he has above Axiom, specially bang for the buck. but, they are American and no retailers in Canada are not a fav. Really I am laying towards Axiom alot but SVS is right up there too

Hi Troy. Since it sounds as if you are budget conscious, and looking for "bang for the buck", I would go through the Factory Outlet to get the discount. I bought mine through the FO as have many others and any cosmetic blemishes are virtually indistinguishable. All of those sub choices look like excellent choices, however, if it were me, I think I'd use two subs vs a single large sub to even out the bass(prices being equal). Don't forget, if you use Axiom subs you'll get the HT discount(5+ items) along FO discount(I'll leave the math to you).

You mentioned you're in Canada, so I'll add a couple of other considerations. If you are in Ontario, or within driving distance of Axiom, you may be able to pick your speakers up and save a few more dollars but you'd need to check with them on that. Secondly, you may also want to add to your sub list the Paradigm DSP 3200 and 3400...both of these subs definitely qualify in the "bang for $$" category(I own a 3400). I would guess that two of these subs(DSP3400) would run you in the neighbourhood of $1400-1500 combined.

Any of these combos are going to sound awesome, good luck.

well, although I want bang for the buck, that doesn't mean I won't spend $3000 if that sub or subs are that much better then the next at $2500. If it is that much better then I will.

Hi TroyD,

Those are all some very nice subwoofers. 2 of any of the above would work well IMO. If your in Canada I would deal with Axiom or SonicBoom (SVS Canada) for your low frequency needs. Shipping and potential border costs (duty, taxes, brokerage fees) might increase the cost substantially if you are dealing with high cost products from the US. One way to save some costs here would be to broker the shipment yourself if you decide to take this route. With Axiom or SonicBoom this would not be a issue.

Cheers!

As someone who has imported a fair amount of electronics, just thought it would be worth mentioning is IF and only IF one insists on importing items from the US that are specifically MADE IN THE USA, no addt'l duties or taxes are applicable. Same thing happens with US customers when they import items from Canada that are MADE IN CANADA(such as Axiom products). Items manufactured in the Far East(eg. "most" HSU subs) or anywhere else in that part of the world are subject to 6.5% duties and any additional handling charges the customs and/or shipper wants to tack on as well. Obviously there would be a shipping fee along with the sales tax that you would pay anyway even buying from a local retailer.

I have trouble dealing with "some" distributors in Canada that sell US mfg. products, such as SVS, because despite the high Canadian dollar, there is still(without any meaningful substantiation)a significant difference between the US and Canadian price.

"Axiom", for one, always seems to keep that US/Can. dollar differential in check.

Another sub company you might wan to look at is Elemental Designs and Epic, both out of the States and made in house so they should be Duty/Tax free.

I am wondering if you want real deep earth shaking LFE or smooth bass as the EP800 will move the earth but 2 Ep500 or 600's will still shake pretty good but allow for smoother bass response through out the room.

If you really want to stay budget conscious I would stay with the outlet for all speakers, but if want a little more eye candy and are willing to pay the difference go for the Vassallo series, nothing is quite as nice as real wood veneer

If you are looking to drop 3K look into the JL audio not quite 3K but a nice sub. Happy hunting

My living room is 13x21x8, and opens to a kitchen and hallway. I have an ep500, and for a period of about 2 days I had 2 ep500's (one was occasionally making noises at high spl's so axiom had sent me a replacement.) They sounded really good, but I think I would rather have an ep800. I haven't heard one yet, but I didn't notice a huge difference between 1 ep500 and 2, (just smoother bass across all seating positions)

Their website says HSU is made in the USA, are they not?

Anything I can see on their website say that the subs are designed and engineered in the US but "Made in China". You can see this on the owners manual pics of the Bash Amps which they use, whether or not this pertains to just the amp or not I don't know. I always thought Bash amps were made in Canada But many people are stating in their forum that they are being charged duty fees which shouldn't happen if the amp was made i the US.

Most of Hsu subs are made in China. The USL 15 is "Designed and Assembled in the U.S.A." and I'm sure all the components come from China.

Like any other electronic component today, one can be assured that the little components(transistors, capacitors etc) are made in the Far East including BASH amps which are manufactured by Indigo manufacturing in Toronto. According to NAFTA that qualifies as a domestic manufactured item. One has to differentiate between an item that is fully manufactured in China(Outlaw subs) and just sitting in a warehouse in the US for shipment elsewhere as opposed to a product that uses offshore parts but it is still assembled domestically. That would differentiate the HSU USL 15 as opposed to their other models that are TOTALLY manufactured overseas. In this case shipment of the USL 15 would qualify it as a domestic manufactured product and NOT subject to duties. When that sub was introduced, I was curious and e-mailed HSU about it and they said it would qualify as a domestic mfg. product. The same applies to Elemental Designs, Epik and Rhythmik subs. Axiom, I believe, is in a similar category. One just has to be sure it is on the paperwork and/or shipping carton so customs can see it. I have never had an issue with customs IF the shipping set-up was done correctly.

You kind of have to do your homework. Outlaw has a line of power amplifiers in which SOME are made in the US for them by ATI out of California(which would qualify as domestic mfg.)and they have a couple other models that are made exclusively in the Far East(which would not qualify).

It is interesting to note, I have an 8 year old Toshiba RPCRT that when the light box was opened up, I noticed ALL the little parts and circuit boards were manufactured in China and that was 2001. The monitor, though, was assembled in New Jersey so that would qualify as a US domestic manufactured product.

For me 'best bang for the buck' turned out to be the DIY route. You need to do your homework, but can end up with a GREAT sub (or subs) for less cash than you would spend on a commercial product.

For DIY I want to buy a kit (ok not true DIY) from Elemental Designs

I think the HSU parts are made in Asia but assembled in USA or something like that..
Yeh, I hate that double shipping costs, then brokerage fees , then duty.
SVS has a Canadian distributor however again I have not heard there subs and can only go by what posts say. Same as HSU and AXIOM. thing is no it is not free trial on any of it, because if you don't like it you have to ship it back and testing three or four subs and sending them back costs.

You can look into Aperions flagship subwoofer. They have a no risk trial period meaning they would pay for return shipping if you decide to return it, however I don't know if the actual shipping cost would be inflated outside the United States. I have no actual experience with their products but they do have a excellent trial period.

I love my SVS PB13 and feel it very hard to beat for output/sound quality vs price, I highly recommend it and from the sounds of it, the EP800 might be very hard to beat now that it has a new amp design.

yeh, it maybeI am making a trip to Ontario this summer, so may have to see if it is possible to hear it. can't bring it back would need to rent a uhaul.

Jay, if you ever stop down to Iowa, Elemental Designs is only a 30 min drive.

Where do you live?

Yes, tell us all exactly where you live.

Didn't troyd mention he lived in Halifax on another thread? If not ignore this.

Nova Scotia I think.

Ok! Ok! Halifax is in N.S., LOL!

Canada, or something like that, I think.

I agree with Ken.

Adrian
Have you had one to many of CV's brownies?

Thanks for the invite Randy. I can't forsee ever having any reason to go down that way though, other than to meet up with you, which is reason enough for me

Are we sure it's not Halifax, United Kingdom???

THERE'S A LOLLIPOP GUILD MUNCHKIN ON MY LEG....SOMEONE GET IT OFF!!

Troyd, if you are indeed in Halifax...........Nova Scotia, then feel free to take a little trip to PEI to demo my EP500 next time you have an excuse to take the ferry.

Yes, and if you are indeed in Halifax......England, well then have a cup of bloody tea for me bloke!

Town called Bridgewater, Actually 60 miles from Halifax, NS, Canada

thanks,

Any decisions on the sub yet troy?

No, not yet
I am trying to figure out the 60's and 80's first.
I am thinking two EP500's though on either side of the Mains.
I forgot this thread and was tied up in another

I was just looking at the Hearing things and interested in who was were, cool seeing where all you regulars are from. And wow Ask_Axiom has houses all over the world ;)) and must love Axioms he has them all. ...lol

Bridgewater? Cool. I used to spend some time there in the summers back in the 80s, hanging out with my cousins in New Germany. Great salmon fishing. Well, honestly, I never actually caught one but the rivers are beautiful around that area.

New Germany in the 80's who were your cousins. I moved to New Germany in 75 when I was 11. moved to Bridgewater once I moved out of parents. I may know them if they were around my age I am 46 now

Just names are pretty harmless but I PMed them to you rather than broadcast them here. My oldest cousin would be maybe 4 years or so younger than you but it's not that big a place. I bet you knew them.

Ahhh, the Internet. It expands our horizons while reducing our time to explore them.