Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater EP500/600 Combo?

I'm in the final planning stages of building a dedicated HT in our basement. If I get "permission" to put a wall behind the seating area, I can reduce the total air volume from about 5100^ft to 1900^ft (approx 13W X 19L X 7.5H). I've done a lot of subwoofer research in the past month, based on a my current 5100^ft area, and I was leaning toward an EP600/500 combo. After allowing more for my sub-budget, I think I'd still to get both subs, even if I do build a wall. I would put an EP600H behind the 2nd row (I'll have 2 rows of 4 seats) and an EP500 under the screen. They will be mid-wall on opposite ends of the room. Side walls are not an option, nor are the right corners--left corners or two EP500's (no 600) up front are the only other options.
1. I assume these subs will blend well together, both running the full LFE channel, right?
2. I know it may be overkill for my room, but is it TOO MUCH OVERKILL? Craigsub said, in response to a post about a 7000^ft space, that an EP600 can handle a "BIG" room. For my room, a single EP500 probably wouldn't be breaking a sweat, either.
3. I want the ability to go 16Hz, so for a single sub I'd prefer the 600 over the 500. But if the 600 can already handle my room with ease, will I benefit much by adding a 500 and remaining at the SAME listening level? I do want to get a good response--no, make that a GREAT, VISCERAL response--at all eight seats. And, to really be honest, if I am in the 1st row, and the 600H is nearfield behind the 2nd row, I don't want the backseat passengers to get a better ride than me!!!

Any thoughts, impressions, experiences, or outright answers?

Thanks!

I think the best course of action would be to first purchase a single EP600 to see how well it performs in your room, and so you can experiment with placement a little easier. The EP600 is extremely cabable and it may be all you need. Then, if you find you want a slightly smoother response a slightly stiffer kick to your ribcage, add the EP500. It'll be waiting for you.

Thanks, pmbuko. That sounds like the kind of good advice I was afraid of, for perhaps irrational reasons. First of all, I see two BAD possibilities happening: either no subwoofer will live up to what I have imagined in my mind... or a single EP600 will be more than I can handle. But if reality falls somewhere in between, I'd like to try the combo from day one. This may sound funny, but I think it will be easier financially to get both at once (hidden among all the other HT expenses), rather than spend an extra $1150 after my wife thinks we already have too much bass. Plus, 2 subs is cooler! But I don't want to waste the money if the EP500 will be essentially useless (except for extreme demo purposes!). I usually try to make smart decisions in life... I'm trying to do that here, too. But getting both is so tempting!

You could get both and leave the 500 in its crate until you've determined you need it. Heh, need... Of course, return shipping would probably be prohibitive.

Geno, it appears that you may have studied the Harman paper, since you're considering the midwall front and back locations which it found to be good when using two subs. If you also get a 500 there's no problem of "blending" involved and subs don't necessarily have to be identical. Sure, the single 600 should be plenty, but placing a second sub to help minimize the effect of room modes will likely be of benefit even, as you say, if you keep the overall sound level the same.

I wonder if the industry is heading to the same kind of "on demand" sales model they use in high end computers these days. If you need a 4-processor box you can get the box loaded with 8 or 16 processors at no extra charge, then when you need the extra CPU power you just call the mfg, pay (full price) for the extra CPUs, and the mfg dials in and enables the extra processing power.

"Hi Amie -- I just picked up War of the Worlds so I'll be wanting that second EP500 turned on. My Visa number is..."

You have made a wise choice of leaning toward the 600/500 combo regardless of whether or not you build the wall. With one sub even one as capable as the 600 not all listeners will experience the same quality bass as the person sitting in the sweet spot. A second sub properly placed will smooth many of the nodes and make for a more uniform listening experience throughout the room. In essense you will be broadening the sweet spot to cover all the seats.

The other big advantage comes from increased headroom. You'll be able to calibrate the subs at a lower level which will give you better dynamics and depending how loud you listen less problems with power compression and distortion. I would highly recommend the 600/500 combo. The other big plus is that though you can mix and match subs (as I have done currently with a 600 and an Ultra) the very different FR curves mean phase problems and cancellation at parts of the frequency band. Not so with the 500/600 as Axiom has done a great job in designing them so the FR curves are additive with no phase problems anywhere in the band. That is a huge accomplishment and the listener is rewarded once again with exceptionally smooth bass response.