Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions EP500: How low can it go?

Now I know you're all thinking frequency, but I already know this beast can go low there. I'm interested in how low the volume can go before it stops putting sound out. I'm having trouble with my EP350 stand-by circuit kicking in too early (between 60-80 db with only other speakers on), and talking with Amie I found there is a similar "mute circuit" in the EP500. It is all done in the DSP and can be reprogrammed if needed, but I'm just curious how low it lets the volume go from the factory.

All I ask is a very simple test. Drop the volume VERY low. Play some regular music for several minutes (not bass heavy, but still some low stuff so you can tell if its playing), as it may take awhile for the mute circuit to kick in. Then listen to see if the sub is still playing. If so, drop the volume more, wait again, and listen. If it isn't playing, slowly increase the volume until it kicks in. If you have a sound meter, see if it can read the volume just before it kicks in, otherwise try to relate it qualitatively (whisper quiet, audible from next room, etc.). I'm just trying to get a feel for how low it plays at.

Thanks .

Try this: Turn the subwoofer volume on your receiver all the way up to its maximum setting. Then, adjust your subwoofer's manual volume control accordingly.

That should help quite a bit...no limbo stick required.

I have an HSU-STF2, and the only time I ever have that happen is when I'm listening at a REALLY low volume. Then again, I can always just flip the switch to "ON" from "AUTO" because I sit right over it at my computer.

I don't know if this is the answer you wanted, but something to fix your EP350 problem. Sorry, now you can't use that as *another* excuse to upgrade to the EP500.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I've already tried this. I have the receiver trim at +10 for the sub (max), and with classical music, the other speakers sometimes put out 80db before the sub comes on, and I know there is a bass line that is being missed. It's not as though there is nothing there, there's just not lots of it. Have a look at my other thread if you would like to see everything else I have tried (called "EP 350 Stand-by Problem"). Any other suggestions would be appreciated .

Well, I don't think it can go very low (high?). I find that I quit getting bass from the EP500 pretty low down my Denon's weird volume scale - around the -25db level with more music. More volume - EP500 pumps; less volume - EP500 slumps. Some bass-heavy ambient music moves this up to the -30db level but it is really bass-heavy.
I have the Denon sub-level set 'flat' and the EP500's volume level at around 60%.

What processor/receiver are you using with the sub?

Hey Ken, would you mind posting the range of your receiver's output just for reference (mine's approx. -80db up to +16db, cuts out between -20 and -40 depending on music). When it cuts out, how long does it take to come back in when some bass shows up again? Is it instant, or is there a delay?

John, I'm using my computer to output the signal from an Auzentech X-Plosion through SPDIF, across a 25' optical cable, and into a new Yamaha HTR-5960. I've also used an old panasonic to send a signal to the receiver, with the same results.

It would be worthwhile to check if the receiver is a high current ie. high signal to noise ratio design . Sometimes high current processor or receivers don't interact well and can cause the problems you have been reporting. It may be affecting the auto circuit on the 350. The EP subs for example also have a high current design and can be more sensitive to calibrate with certain high current receivers/processors. I have not experienced any muting with the EP subs.

I have an old Yamaha sub lying around which had a problem with muting and auto-start. My simple solution was to just leave it on since it consumed little power at idle.

Jason - I have a Denon 3805 and it also goes about -80db to +15db. I mostly have it in the -30db to -8/9db range in my 12'x22' room. Interestingly I have another sub - a passive one with a sub-amp and the amp has a nice little indicator on it that indicates when it's decided to throw some power the way of the passive driver. It comes on at anything around -40db or greater (greater being -30db, -20db etc.). That sub always seems to make itself 'felt' more than the EP500. But I'm not sure it's not discoloration rather than coloration. Sure sounds a lot more musical at lower volumes though.

Here's a link for the receiver. The signal-to-noise ratio listed is 100db... not quite sure if that's good or bad, or if I'm even looking at the right thing . Have a look and let me know what you think.

The problem I have with leaving it on is that the EP350 doesn't have a manual override. If I want to disable it, Axiom offered to do it for me, but then its permanent. I then have to either turn it on and off every time I use it, or just leave it on all the time. I've found that the heatsink on the back gets quite hot with very little sound coming out of the sub (barely above current stand-by level), so I'm assuming it would be the similar if no sound were coming out. Not only does this eat up a lot of power, it will also heat up my room a fair bit if left on 24/7. Winter, no problem, but in the summer when its already hot, this would only make it worse. The EP500 on the other hand shouldn't draw much power when muted, or if disabled, just sitting there 'on' with no sound coming out (due to the digital amplifier used); therefore, much less heat and wasted power. This is why I'm considering the 500 over the 350.

Go for the 500!!!