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:
does a sub really need to go down to sub 20Hz levels
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:
if you want to "feel it", it does!
See also : Junk jiggling.
Bren R.
The only time I had my junk jiggled more severely in a theater than in someone's living room was when I saw Batman Forever in '95 (or was it Batman Returns in '92?) at Grauman's (Mann) Chinese Theater in Hollywood. I swear my clothing was rippling like from a stiff wind, and that was just the opening titles!
In reply to:
I swear my clothing was rippling like from a stiff wind, and that was just the opening titles!
And you assume it had nothing to do with the Burrito El Grande?
(sorry)
I think you have to pay significantly more to get a sub that really goes down much lower. What I know is the Outlaw exceeds my needs by a good margin.
The other day I was out in my office working and the emergency broadcast system started up with a warning about tornados for the next two hours. Pretty unusual for California but I grew up in the tornado belt in the midwest so I have all these memories of cowering in the basement waiting for the house to disappear. About an hour after the warning I went accross the breezeway to my workshop. That part of the house is constructed of reinforced concrete and is semi-attached to the wood frame part of the house where the HT is. All of a sudden there was this deep rumbling and shaking of the room like a frieght train approaching the house. I ran outside to see if it was a tornado but the sound diminished. I then realised it was the 11 year old son watching the Incredibles. Its a good thing he doesn't like to play things very loud.
I love my SVS 20-39PCi sub. Has worked wonderfully for me. It is very large and my wife wasn't too happy at first, but now that I have it kind of "tucked away" she doesn't seem to mind. If you want something that matches your finish, then go with a larger Axiom sub. I hear that they are very nice. I went with the SVS because it was considered a better value for the price than Axiom about 7 months ago, but now the higher end Axioms are very respected.
I also almost went with a HSU. In fact, I waspretty much sold on getting on at my local CompUSA because of no need for shipping costs, but then I found out that the one that they carried (no longer carry now) would be too small for my needs.
HSU and SVS are very respected and both offer great subs (and I've already mentioned to great comments about the EP500 and larger subs) so you aren't going to go wrong here, just that the more you spend, the louder (and possibly lower) you will be able to go.
As for SVS box vs. cylinder, I liked the "unique" look of the cylinder, and the fact that it is lighter, if you can say that about the hefty sub, than the box sub, so it is easier, I guess, to move if you need to move it. Plus it costs a little less due to easier and less expensive manufacturing costs.
Thanks everyone for all the input. I'm still waiting for some clarification on the EP500 auto-on feature.
Will keep you posted once I get something!
ramzing
I just posted a response in another thraed. No, the Ep500/600 do not have a remote/auto-on capability, both can be controled by a trigger wire. Hope this helps and sorry, did not see your question sooner.
Thanks Tharkun!
Trigger wire - not exactly sure what that is ... is that what the USB port on the EP500/600 is for?
ramzing
The trigrer wire (cable) has a mini jack and uses a siganl from a a processor or receiver that has the capabilites of sending a signal to a componet to power it on and off. I will be using the Axiom balanced cables with trigger wire for my 600s, one from the EQ (still making a decision which type to use) and a second cable to connect the two 600s together, since they will be co-located.
There is no real need to power the 500/600 off, as it does have a power saving mode, when no sigal is present, it goes into a standby mode, and has minimal power useage.
The USP port serves two purposes, first would be for connecting to a computer for any future firmware upgrades. Second, available from the Axiom store is the USB Light, which is compatable with any USB device, and works well on the 500/600 if you have either placed in an area where light is needed for adjustments to the subs.
Thanks for the information. I did not know about the power save mode on the EP500/600.
Dammit! Just when I thought I had it all narrowed down to the big three subs, I come across reviews of the Rocket UFW 10 incher on HTSpot - just what I needed (not!) to make matters more complicated.
Choice is good. um. right.
To further add to your confusion,
the rocket ufw-12 will be on the market soon. It will house a 1000w digital amp in a 20" sealed cube.
Also Hsu is to be coming out with the HO models of the Vtf line.
"Also Hsu is to be coming out with the HO models of the Vtf line."
And from what I understand, they will have some kind of upgrade modual for existing VTF models. Could be wrong though.
they will but it wont be avail with the initial release of vtf ho
What do you mean HO models??
I'm sure the current status of my VTF3 will suffice until then.
The "turbo" upgrade will work for the Vtf-3 mk2, Vtf-2 mk2 and the Stf-3 from what I read on the Hsu forums.Release date ???????????
What? What is this about a Turbo upgrade to the HSU VTF-2? Does it mean I can upgrade my existing one?
If it is the MK2 version yes.
Is this where you can swap out the amp with a new one?
In reply to:
What do you mean HO models??
High Output
HO = High output. Now you know where the slang term for prostitute comes from.
More info on the HO
here. Both the UFW-12 and VTF-3-HO promise amazing performance but might be a tad out of my budget at this point.
YES!!! I believe it is about time for some A/B-headtohead comparisons.... PLEASE.....
(Best) SVS vs. (Best) HSU vs. EP500/600 (better choice for music as well as HT)
Yup that would be awesome. Not a trivial task for sure. There're some subwoofer comparisons by craigsub (including a $600 sub shootout) over at htspot, if you're interested. Lots of good information there. Unfortunately not much on the SVS ISD though.