Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Audibyte - Added EP0 and Amp is now Clipping

I just received the EP0 and after hooking up am hearing what I would describe as the amp "clipping" at higher volumes. Has anyone else experienced this? I have tried with the gain flat as well as full boost. Any ideas?

Contact Axiom. I had tried it a few times at max. I just re-tried it for 2 minutes with something I know hits the roof, especially with the EP0 and there is no clipping or any other distortion of any kind. Does it do it with all material?

Interested in this thread as the Axiom Q of the day the other day got me to thinking of ditching the AVR and going solo with the other SB3 and Audiobytes on the patio

If you raise volume to the max it will distort somewhat like all speakers. I can't say I hear clipping like distortion though. Keep in mind that the EP0 is not going to sound like an EP500 at high volume. Overall it sounds very good for such a small sub. A squeezebox with this ensemble would be a great application.

I wuold only look to push say 90db at most on the patio

Ok. As good example. One of my employee just came in. With his laptop, when the volume is at 98% there is some clippping because rhe PC is under powered. So, this is all due to thelapop being electivallym infficiant.

Axiom-wise- There is nothing to re-imbures. The alleged problem isentirely medntal.

In a quick test it seems to do it with music that possesses more low end pop and starts in the 70% volume range. I was using my old Cambridge Soundworks sub to accompany the Audiobytes in the absence of the EP0 and it provided far more "umph" than the EP0 but I should have more time tomorrow to tinker with sub placement, etc. Also, until I added the EP0 I hadn't experienced any issue with the sound cutting out or "clipping" under any circumstances. The Audiobytes are amazing but so far the accompanying sub is a little underwhelming. Hope I get it figured out.

Jason

Are you checking also with a SPL meter?

I have two other devices that I will try this weekend. It is possible that the output from your source is very strong and causes the amp to attempt to generate signals well beyond its 60W capabilities.

I would think if this was the case it would have done the same thing before I connected the sub. Do you agree?

Hi,

No, the EPZero is a passive subwoofer driven by the Audiobyte amplifier. Deep bass requires large amounts of amplifier power compared to the frequency range of the Audiobytes, so it's possible that you may have been exceeding the output limits of the Audiobyte amplifier.

How large a room are you using them in and how far back are you sitting? The system was designed for desktop use and smallish office, bedroom and den-sized spaces.

The EPZero subwoofer is very linear. It doesn't add a lot of artificial subwoofer "thump" or "boom" as many small powered subwoofers typically do to substitute for smooth linear bass.

Regards,

Thank you for the response Alan. I am using the Audiobytes in a 12' x 12' study. I am curious if a EP125 would be a substitue that might provide more of the "thump" and "boom" for modern music & games, etc?

At this point I feel it would be a stretch to describe the EP0 as providing "Powerful bass impact and depth." However I can tell you that the Audiobytes themselves are an absolute dream for an office. After months of searching I think I am 75% of the way there.

Regards,

Jason

Hi Jason,

Oh, for sure, the EP125 will deliver much more of the thump/boom factor. The EP125 has its own dedicated 125-watt amplifier as well as a larger enclosure and bigger driver than the EPZero.

It's also why we provided a line-level Sub output jack on the back of the Audiobyte amplifier, so users could upgrade if they wanted to or use a larger powered sub they might already have on hand.

I'd also point out that the EPZero is $179US versus the EP125 v2's $430 US.

What source signal are you using to drive the Audiobyte system and where do you have the output level of that source set?

Regards,

I would say get an EP400, small and explosive.

Hi Randy,

Absolutely! The EP400 is the way to go if "discretionary income" permits it. Why compromise? Life is short. . .

Regards,

Alan

I have noticed you mention the EP400 alot lately. Is there something new to your collection your not sharing with us?

nope, just think for someone looking for a small enclosure that packs a wollup, the 400 might be a good choice. Actually, I was considering it, but opted for 2 of the 350v3's to add to my 600.

I wouldn't say the 400 packs a wollup, it does reproduce notes down very low faithfully but does lack the punch of the bigger drivers. When I compared it to my 10" 200 watt 12yr old sub, my sub shook the house much better than the 400, but the 400 produced sounds much more musically and sounded fuller. The 400 is a great sub for a music only system but I wouldn't recommend it for any form of HT use except in special circumstances where rattling things isn;t desired.

My comment was considering this was for the OP's 12 x 12 study, not HT applications.

He mentioned games so I was thinking more HT oriented, ie. explosions.

He could do a whole lot better for the money going with another manufacture.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Focus is definitely on the music with games on an occasional basis.

~ Jason

Then I would second the EP400, I auditioned it and it is one extremely musical sub, good thump when needed and blends seamlessly.