Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners SVS box sub as a replacement to my EP500?

I've been having some troubles with my EP500 sub: My poor EP500! Is it dead?
and I'm at the point where I'm starting to consider a replacement sub.

I've been looking at the SVS box subs and from what I have read they seem to make a very nice sub.
Can anyone recommend an SVS box sub that would compare to the EP500 and also match up well with my existing speakers (M60's, VP150, QS8's)?

I'm looking at the PB12-Plus and the SB13-Plus box subs but any other recommendations would be welcome.
I'd like to stay under $1,500 if possible.

PB12-Plus

SB13-Plus


Thanks,
Zak

I've never heard the EP500 but ahve played with the PB12+ & SB-13+ before....

for combination of movie + music, PB12+ is a true big subby killer (and a pin to move it as well at 60kgs)

SB13+ is more sutable for music, fast, accurate but the low end not as good as PB12+

I have considered PB12+ b4 decided on my PC12+ due to the weight and deep box....the PC12+ is just slightly lose out on the LFE at very Hz compared to PB12+, and it's cheaper too

Zak, I thought I had replied already. Sorry.

I have an older SVS PB12-NSD. It is a very good sub and has been completely trouble-free.

I had the good fortune to hear the PB13+ and EP600 side-by-side at Jason's (myrison) home some years ago. Both subs were fantastic, but Jason kept the Axiom. I would be very curious about the sealed SVS subs; their ported models do seem to have a distinctive sound that is perhaps a bit less articulate than some other subs I've heard. Man, they play LOW, though.

The ported SVS are really big boxes.

How about the SS-18.1 (18" sealed) from Chase Home Thater? They are using the Dayton outboard amp, which seems to be very reliable, and makes problem-solving much more straightforward.

That might be my next sub.

If you are looking at a budget of $1500 or less and don't want to get an Axiom sub, personally before I would buy a model from SVS, I would strongly consider the models from "Elemental Designs". For that kind of money, they may not look quite as "pretty" as the SVS subs, but you certainly get a significantly greater choice of models to chose from and a better "bang for your buck". The only downside to ED is most of their stuff is made to order and you might have to wait for it for awhile.

Sorry to hear about your dead EP500! Jakewash did lots of comparing between SVS and Axiom subs so he may chime in here with some relevant A/B comparisons. He has the PB-13 Ultra currently.

If you don't mind the look (I personally think they look cool), the SVS cylinder subs claim to sound the same as the boxes but are cheaper, cost less to ship, and have a smaller footprint. They are a little easier to move around too. Either model you are looking at should work very well with your system.

I'd certainly include eD in the group to consider.

I often forget how shipping and duties might change the equation in Canada. This could be an issue for both eD and CHT. My sense is that SVS may have this problem solved a little better. How about Hsu?

The only popular ID sub company from the US that has a Canadian supplier that I know of is SVS (Sonic Boom Audio). ED, HSU you will have to pay extra fees to import them to Canada. Funky Waves Audio is a custom subwoofer manufacturer that builds some of the nicest enclosures with the highest of build quality that I have seen put together with some top notch drivers. Some of their models have built in amps others use external. They are also Canadian so shipping would be a lot less than some of the others.

How much duties and taxes do you guys pay in US? Here in Japan I paid 30 bucks on my ep350. I thought it was cheap.

$0

For North America (Canada & United States) Axiom has any of those fees built into the price. There would be no duty regardless because on the shipping boxes it says made in Canada. Canada and the United States are a part of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). Anyhow, so final cost shipped to your door in NA would be MSRP + any applicable taxes.

Just to add a few more details about ED and/or HSU and importation of their products especially in to Canada. ED like Axiom, includes the shipping cost in their price. HSU has extra shipping charges. In either case IF the product is built in the US(in the case of ED all of their models) they are NOT subject to customs and duties. The problem with extra costs comes with the shipping companies and in the case of ED, they use "UPS Ground" which adds a ridiculous brokerage fee along with the normal sales taxes. I have never understood how they can get away with this since the item is NOT subject to customs and duties so why is there an extra charge for an item that doesn't have to be cleared anyway? A real scam.

But the shipment DOES have to be cleared with customs. In this case with UPS ground, UPS would be brokering the shipment. UPS has outrageous brokerage charges especially if you use ground shipment. For multiple items ground might be cost-effective, but for one item you will get hosed with UPS ground. The fee ultimately depends on the value of the item and the shipping company you are dealing with. Taxes are also applied to this charge.

You can also broker the shipment yourself to avoid this charge but it can be a hassle for most people.

If the product says made in Canada, United States or Mexico they are a part of NAFTA. So no duty applies. Any other country is subject to duty charges.

Warranty issues should also be checked if ordering from the states as some of the sub manufacturers might not honour the warranty if shipped out of the US.

That is an excellent point. Same goes for receiving any defective or damaged products. What's the procedure and is there any cost to you as the customer for returning it?

This is what I would buy for less than 1,500

http://rythmikaudio.com/FV15HP.html

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rythmik-fv15hp

You are absolutely dead-on in that it still has to be cleared. My beef with UPS is the amount they charge and HOW they come up with that charge. They state, as you mentioned, it is a percentage of the value of the shipment but just try to find out exactly what that percentage is and from my experience getting an exact answer on how they come up with that number has been an exercise in futility.

Uhmm the SVS at $1900 and shipping from Sonic Boom it is not a $1500 sub whereas the EP500 is cloese to $1200tx incl and shipping
I too am really interested in dual SVS 13's but is there a really noticable difference of and extra $2000 for the SVS's

Don't kid yourself on that one, I recieved my M&K speakers from a private sale a few weeks ago. He was in Georgia I live in NS and when they got here I had to pay additional brokerage fees, 6.5% duty and they are made in the USA.
I have recieved almost all my drum cymbals from Zildjian from people in the USA and never paid brokerage or duties.Same as some clothing.
I think they try and nail electronics more, then again a freind up the road recieved some music gear and nothing. depends on who the shipping is by too. Fedex nails you everytime, USPS hardly

The catch there is that it was a private sale. Customs will not charge duty on items that fall under NAFTA (it has to be properly disclosed). However in your case I imagine they were not the original manufacturer boxes nor said made in USA on them. The country where the product was manufactured and (or final assembled/made) has to have those markings from the manufacturer.

You put an item in a generic box and label it so and so. Ship it UPS ground. You will get charged duty.

Where did you get $1,900?

The PB12-Plus is $1,584.45.
The SB13-Plus is $1,741.95.
This includes taxes and shipping.

PB12-Plus

SonicBoomAudio
Sub-Total: $1,399.00
Canadian Insured (1 x 130.00lbs) (Western Canada): $110.00
5.0% GST #849551726: $75.45
Total: $1,584.45

SB13-Plus

SonicBoomAudio
Sub-Total: $1,599.00
Canadian Insured (1 x 100.00lbs) (Western Canada): $60.00
5.0% GST #849551726: $82.95
Total: $1,741.95

Before you get too caught up in blowing 1500-2000 dollars on a new sub, I would seriously ride out the process with Axiom. If I read your other thread correctly, this sub is still under warranty and Axiom's doing what they can to get it working.

I've had about a half-dozen service issues with Axiom over 10+ years, even with speakers bought on closeout from a brick-and-mortar shop. Every one of the issues was resolved quickly and with nothing but the utmost courtesy. They stand behind their product 100%, and by all accounts the EP500 is dynamite.

Life is *still* worth living without a functioning subwoofer for another few weeks.

I agree, my previous 500 was very powerful as is my 600, almost make your leg hairs stand up. Once it works it will really impress.

I totally agree, so much that I'm looking for a twin

You should also look at this one:
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F25.html
but I'm not sure about shipping and warranty to Canada.

Nice subs, but their shipping cost is out of sight. Only ship by Postal Service Air: $220 and up. Considering any potential brokerage fees and other is added, unless money was no object and one had their heart set on this company, not really worth it.

If you're interested in a DIY on this side of the border, you could check out the folks at www.creativesound.ca in the Vancouver area.

I love my PB 13 Ultra and the specs and reveiws of the PB12 plus with the new Sledge amps are very good, I wouldn't hesitate to go with another SVS if I ever have the need.
I keep hearing good things about Funky Waves as well.

http://www.funkywaves.net/catalog.cfm?item=fw12_x