Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Axiom EP500 vs AVI 123 MFW15 subs

PB13 = 1600 + shipping
EP500 = 1200

So, probably about $500 more. Its still a more reasonable comparison and considering the price difference and the 500 is probably reasonably competitive.

I am more curious about how the MFW15 compares to the EP350.

Has anyone actually taken delivery of the fabled MFW15?

There are quite a few people over on the AV123 forums that have gotten theirs. There are threads upon threads of folks reporting back on them.

I 'm sure the EP500 is an excellent sub but the fact that you can get 2 MFW 15 for the price of 1 EP500 has got me thinking. I hear a lot about multiple subs and how they help balance the low end in a room etc.. would'nt two MFW15 outperform a single EP500 ?

Obviously the ideal scenario is dual EP500s.. or dual EP600s, but that's not in the budget :-(

I haven't heard the MFW-15, but according to Craigsub, ONE MFW-15 outperforms ONE EP500. Now I have no clue what size of room was used for this testing. And these were not double blind tests, they are ranked against another sub (I forget which one) and that sub is the base for all other subs. If other subs out perform that sub, they get a higher ranking, if they under perform, they get a lower ranking.

No doubt the EP500 is a fine sub, and can certainly play to higher volumes than the MFW-15 (because of the 500 watt amp).

On Craig's listing he listed dual MFW-15's as equal to one PB13-Ultra for less money, So right now the MFW15 looks to be the best bang for the buck on paper. Having said that, I know it will have a different sound than Axioms subs(most subs seem to). Axioms have a somwhat unique tone to their subs, at least to my ears. They are more enveloping and seem to surround you with bass more so than any of the other subs I have listened to, including my PB13-Ultra. Is the MFW15 better? That is a judgement call YOU have to make.

Based on my experience with several of the subs on that list and group listening tests conducted, I would suggest not reading too much into that ranking. Half of the score is a subjective musical rating which lends a high degree of bias. There have been many reported inconsistencies by other listeners trying to make sense of those scores. In addition, the original thread at AVS was locked for various reasons including complaints over a possible conflict of interest with one of the sub manufactuerers/ designers.

I haven't heard the MFW-15 which looks like a good slot ported sub for the money. Slot ports are basically a hole in a box and a very cheap way of adding SPLs. However slot ported subs generate more port noise than subs with flared ports which I find annoying and makes them a non-starter for me . Simply looking at SPL and FR graphs or a subjective ranking does not tell the full story.

As for the EP subs, myself and others had the opportunity to listen to them side by side with other similar or higher priced subs recently like the Velodyne DD-18, Fathom JL113, Paradigm Servo v2 and SVS PB-13 Ultra and it compared very favourably in real world listening to DVDs and music.

The interesting thing about Craig's list is that he has in the top positions the Epik Conquest and Elemental designs a7-900. I, as well as most other people, have never heard of Epik and Elemental designs until seeing the list. They are also very reasonably priced looking at the specs. But, I can't seem to find any professional reviews of either of them. Now, the shootout that I would love to see is Velodyne DD-18 vs Fathom JL113 vs SVS PB-13 Ultra vs Epik Conquest vs Elemental designs a7-900 vs Axiom ep600 vs Axiom ep500. Maybe the Velodyne and Fathom aren't fair to be in the shootout due to their price points, so if they walked all over the competition then they could be taken out.

- Nick

Thanks John, I'm with you on the port configuration. I own a sealed 10inch sub made by Energy and I have heard many a ported sub and to me, the sealed sub sounds better. Not to say that the EP500 does not sound amazing, but port design really does make a difference. I've heard some Klipsch subs with their "corner tube ports " and I was not very impressed with the overeall sound.

Good point..

Thanks
Steph

It should be noted after I inquired about 2 MFW-15 subs, they advised shipping costs would be around $425.00. Take into account another six and a half percent in customs and duties(made in China)plus any brokerage fees shipping to Canada then they no longer were that hot a deal.

Incidentally, I checked with Epik and Elemental Designs and their products are made in the USA so they aren't subject to duties, however, because their boxes are so big and heavy, shipping costs are still high. The EP 500 is around $1200 including shipping and from Sonic Boom Audio which sells SVS in Canada, the PB13 Ultra is $1699 plus shipping. In the US it is $1599.