Yet another newbie question. It appears everyone here loves and recommends either HSU or SVS subs.

My question is why no recommends for Axiom subs? Why not Axiom subs?

Where do the Axiom sub excell and fail? Where do the HSU / SVS excell and fail?

My room is quite small and I'm thinking of something like the EP175. Are the recommends for the HSU / SVS subs as an alternative to the larger EP350 or would you all also recommend them as an alternative for a smaller room, instead of the EP175?

I ask, as being from Canada I'm looking at a substantial additional cost in shipping, tax, and customs fees (not to mention exchange rates) to get either a HSU / SVS...


Thanks very much in advance, El

I've never personally heard an Axiom or SVS sub, but from all I've been told the Axiom subs are fine, they're just not quite as good as a Hsu or SVS, and cost more.

Being in Canada the price difference is less of an issue, but I still don't believe the Axiom subs are sonically as clean or tight as a Hsu.

What say you Canadians? What should this newbie do?

EL, I can't answer your question, and I don't recall that anyone here has done an Axiom/Hsu/SVS direct comparison. There does seem to be considerable opinion that the Axiom subs aren't the bargains that some other Axioms are, but I don't know if there's any firm basis for that opinion.

I haven't listened to the Axiom or SVS subs in person, either, so I cannot directly comment. I suggest you browse through published reviews online, which are linked in these manufacturers' sites, and through Google searches.

I would like to have someone do a blind test with subs of similar size just to see what the differences really are. Has it ever been done?

If the sub performs well under your listening conditions then I would think it is ok regardless how it's badged.

I have not done a comparison of the subs that you are asking about, but my listening room is 12'x21'x8' and I have an Axiom EP175. Last night It was able to rattle the windows and vibrate a couple of things off the shelving during playback of XXX and Star Trek Nemesis(sp). To my old and untalented ears the EP175 sounds very good. That said...It is a little under powered for the size of my room, and I am waiting for HSU to, some day, offer it's new STF subs, so that I can add a second...:) I wonder if the wife will notice...

I too, being from the Greath White North, would like to hear where other Canucks have gotten their SVS or HSU subs and how much they paid for them.

Thanks,
R

You should also look at the Adire Audio subs available at

http://www.creativesound.ca

They have DIY kits using Adire drivers that are really cost effective if you have basic hand tools and they also sell finished Adire subs fore good prices.

Frank