Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Axioms are here, FO's awesome, now on to subs!

Got my FO set of M60's, VP100 and QS 8's. Ended up getting the mansfield beech finish with the gold grilles and the WAF on these has been stellar! So far I haven't been able to find any prominent blemishes on any of the speakers. So the factory outlet gets two thumbs up (way up!).

The Axiom sound itself is wonderful. As many here have pointed out before, I'm hearing things in recordings that I never knew existed. The clarity is amazing. I listen to a lot of dance/electronic/world music so I wasn't sure if the axioms would be the right choice, but I'm glad to say that all my concerns were unfounded. Thanks to all on the forum for all the helpful advice! Still, guess I need to go out and get some Diana Krall now, eh?

Of course. the one thing that's missing in this setup right now is a subwoofer. Based on comments heard on this forum and elsewhere I've pretty much narrowed it down to the HSU VTF-3, SVS PC 20-39 or PB12-ISD. A higher priced alternative is the Axiom EP500 which I'm not sure about at this moment (knowing Axiom quality though, this might be worth it). My room is about 15x20x8 and the main speakers actually go along the long wall so the listener is about 12 feet from them. I would love to hear any comments you might have on these subs (or others) that might help me choose. Some questions in particular:
1) SVS - box or cylinder
2) SVS - regular or plus
3) SVS vs. HSU (better choice for music as well as HT)
4) EP500 - does this have an auto-on feature?
5) Any pointers to review sites or head to head comparisons?(I've looked at the reviews on Ecoustics)

Thanks a lot!

ramzing

Hi ramzing -

Congrats and enjoy! I have the same speakers as you (albeit in the somewhat more pedestrian Cherry) and have been very satisfied.

I have the SVS PB12-ISD in a quite large room, and find it is more than enough. I wanted a down-firing box sub because it attracts less kid attention and dog hair, and I can hide it more easily by using it as an end table. It really disappears in my room. I'm sure you'd be happy with any of the models you mentioned. I've not heard the SVS plus series, but frankly cannot imagine needing a more capable sub than the one I have.

Enjoy your new system! And yeah, go ahead and get the Diana Krall

I have an Outlaw LFM sub designed in conjunction with Dr. HSU.
It performs incredibly in a larger room and blends seemlessly with my Axiom system. Its offerd right now with free shipping and a sub cable for $579. Here is an link: http://www.outlawaudio.com/home.html Look at the reviews on the site. One factor for me was that it is down firing and sized just right for an end table.

Just a quick vouch for Hsu subs. I went down to meet the good Dr. at their home base in California. I will never forget the experience. I walked in to the industrial style commercial building and sat near the entrance door on a small black couch at the request of a wirey assistant to Dr. Hsu. He stated that the employee's were in a "meeting" and would be right out.

What I heard next could only be described by the stretch marks on my face from the smile I presented. I heard what I believe to be "Lord of the Rings" fellowship playing in the next room. The balroq scene. Holy guacamole was I hearing some sweet bass and I wasn't even in the same room with them in their "meeting".

Needless to say I was completely blown away. I listened to a few of there box style subs. Dr. Hsu ended up helping me to decide on the VTF-3 MK-2. It has got some bass. I have a large room and I can't believe how low I have to set the volume on the 350 watt internal amp just to stop my neighbors houses from falling down. He He He
What can I say, it makes your eyeballs flutter.

It did take me a long time to get the bass response smoothed out over the frequency range. It just took some experimentation with the sound meter, test disc, location, levels, crossover setting, number of ports, a bunch of beers. . .but I carry on.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I love mine too.
When I have an audition I alway play that test disc they sent with it.
You dont hear it as much as you feel it.

i can support bray's conclusions!!

when i auditioned his system, he played some SUPER LFE's on his HSU VTF-3, and it literally felt like someone was thumping my chest with their hand. very impressive!

bigjohn

Welcome aboard ramzing....

I also have the beech speakers from the FO, and like yourself, can't find a single nick or minor blemish. The sound is truely a blessing to my ears, compared to my past speakers.

Randy

M60's VP150 EP350 4-Qs8's
Denon 2805
Sanyo Z2 Projector
Toshiba DVD
Samsung HD receiver
JVC Tape Deck

Thanks for the Outlaw link md55. Appears to be a variation on the HSU subs - the vtf2 perhaps (similar back panel)? I've often wondered ... does a sub really need to go down to sub 20Hz levels?

ramzing

In reply to:

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does a sub really need to go down to sub 20Hz levels

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if you want to "feel it", it does!

there arent too many musical inputs that will even come close to below 20HZ, unless you are into pipe organ music. but, most newer movies, especially the action ones, usually have many below 20Hz tones that really add to the overall depth of the movie experience.

its WAY better than any theater.

bigjohn

In reply to:

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if you want to "feel it", it does!

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See also : Junk jiggling.

Bren R.