My room is 17'X18'X8'. Or 2,448 cubic feet, which opens to the kitchen, entry area, as well as the formal dining room.

I 2 EP600's.. This is about the output that i feel a room of this size needs... I have had 1 EP-600 since they came out. Adding the second 600 has been night and day for me in my room.. Not overwhelming, but the "appropriate" amount bass for the room. Almost like going from a system without a sub, to a system with a sub...

I don't know whether buying a pair of 600's is within your budget or not. However, it is i would highly recommend it. Maybe you could call Axiom and see if 1 800 would have around the same output as dual 600's.