Hi folks. This is my first post and I must say that I'm ignorant when it comes to subwoofers. I'm thinking of buying the Axiom EP175 subwoofer, but the Polk 404 and the Infinity PS10 also look attractive. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Marc
You should also look at
Hsu Research and
SVS.They both offer a great sub for the money.
Run a search (within the Axiom forum) for "EP175", "HSU" and "SVS". As a current EP175 owner, I've commented on this sub on several occasions (most recently in comparison to a HSU STF-2 I just bought). And HSU and SVS subs have been covered dozens of times on this board. I don't know that you'll find any direct comparisons to the Infinity or Polk models you've mentioned, but it will be a good start.
out of the three you'd listed, the Axiom is going to blow polk and infinity out of the water. Now if you want something even better with practically the same amount of money, then look no further than HSU and SVS. Do a search on these brand and read more reviews and you'll see why they should be on top of your short list.
The new EP 500 and EP 600 beats from Axiom are getting good marks. The main piece of the puzzle is room size. Also, check in with the folks at Axiom, SVS and HSU to discuss room geography. They will provide excellent guidance so you can narrow your choice down to one from each vendor.
The denizens here will provide some input, for example, I am very pleased with my SVS 20-39 PCi in a 16x22x10 room, but the experts at the companies mentioned will narrow the field for you with their knowledge. None of them will oversell you.
I have not heard the Axiom, Hsu, or SVS subs. However, I have directly compared Polk, Infinity and Velodyne in the same room and there is no comparison. The Velodyne CHT 12 is so much better than anything Polk or Infinity have in that price range (<$500) that it is not even funny. Others here have compared the Hsu and/or SVS to Velodyne and report that Hsu and SVS are at the head of the class. So, yesterday when a colleague and I were talking about how he might get a new system, I suggested he get Axioms with an SVS sub (based on what I have read around here and elsewhere - plus I own some M22s).
Polk RTi8s - Front
Polk CSi5 - Center
Polk FXi3s - Surrounds
Velodyne CHT 12
I have to second that, I don't own a velodyne sub, but I have a friend that has the same CHT-12, I was extremely impressed with this sub. It is big, very deep, so that may be an issue. I think it weighs in at about 50 or 60 lbs. it seemed like. It's no whimpy sub. Fogharn may be able to help me there. But I thought it was one of the best under 1k subs, I have heard. I was surprised, cause I never thought much of velodyne, although they ONLY make subs, and have for a long time. I think he said he paid 479.00 at (I hate) Circut city. But don't let the chain store thinking scare you, it's a heck of a good sub for the money. I looked on ebay, out of curiosity, and they seem to sell for 175.00 to 250.00 range, not bad if a budget is your concern.
Apparently the CHT series has become the CHT R series as they now have remote control.
http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/products/product.aspx?ID=11&sid=877c379k
I paid "retail" at Circuit City - $399 as part of a package where I negotiated some discounts on other items - but by no means did I get a bargain. I have since bought a CHT 8 for a secondary system from www.jr.com for $149 that sounds better than any of the Polks at Circuit City - although they don't seem to be carrying the CHT line right now.
The CHT R 12 weighs 60 lbs which sounds about right.