Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners EP350 or EP400?

Hey all,

Some more advice needed.

For me choosing the M80's was easy and I love them! Choosing a dedicated amp was pretty tough and many thanks to everyone here for helping me.

Now, I thought choosing an amp was tough, but man! choosing a sub is even tougher. There are so many good competitors and so many opinions.

Anyway, as I stated in my very first posting, my listening is 90% music and 10% movies. I have to replace this 12 year old JBL sub I have and I got $800.00 to do so. So my journey to find a "musical" sub begins..

So, I have eliminated SVS (I think) and HSU due to the size & color matching to my M80's. (Both have incredible reviews).

I'm for the most part ready to order the EP350. I really don't want anything larger than the EP350 (and that's pushing it) so I started seeing that for another $300.00 I could get the EP400 (excellent size wise due to the smaller build). Everything I've read about the EP400 is for the most part excellent, especially for "music only". My worry about this is my listening area is 4200 cubit feet and I'm worried the EP400 won't fill it up.

You think I should just stay with the EP350 or consider the EP400?

Also, will the EP350 give the "musicality" that the EP400 will? Is a completely sealed enclosure best for 'Music like the EP400"?
Remember, I' not concerned about watching movies and "feeling" my couch/house shake...

"side note" The really small SVS SB12-Plus looks very impressive, I wonder how it would stack up against the EP400? although I believe 4200 cu ft is too big for the SB12-Plus??

Respectfully,

Dana

From a frequency response perspective, the EP350 will be plenty of sub. Most music will not contain anything below 40Hz. Some instruments used in classical music will produce lower notes and the pipe organ will produce notes as low as 17Hz.

Given that the EP350 has a -3db point of 28Hz, that gives you coverage for most instruments out there.

I personally would go with one EP350 and see what the bass response is like in your room.

Yea Fred, I would say I'm 80% for ordering the EP350

Thanks!

Dana

The other part of my thinking is that you can save that $300 towards a second 350 if the bass response in your room is too uneven. A number of people here have ended up with two or more subs to improve in room response.

The nice thing about the 350 is it is dead simple to integrate with your mains. I do not know why that is, but I have had no issues with blending. I suppose Axiom would have designed the rolloff to fit with the bass response of the drivers used in their other speakers.

Fred,

That's certainly something to think about, for sure.

There's just so many freakin options I could even put that extra $300.00 toward the EP500...it's the same size box as the EP350 too.

I guess it's like anything, I just have to make the best choice I can...I'm sure I'll be lovin whichever one I get...

Dana

Ported, then.

If you are serious about not wanting extra thump & rumble for movies, there is no sense.

I got the EP350 as a music first sub. Didn't think sound for movies was that important. I am now finding that I enjoy movies much much more with good speakers and a sub.

You can always pick up the EP350, but make a point to watch a number of movies with good LFE during the evaluation period. If you find yourself constantly wondering what a better sub would sound like, you can still trade up to the EP500 at no penalty.

Hi Dana,

Here is another thought, and BTW, it's fun spending other peoples money. This suggestion probably won't be very popular on this forum, but it will save you a few bucks, and you might be surprised at good it is.

Go with an EP175. I had this sub before I had my EP500. It was recommended it to me by Alan Loft. I really loved the way it matched with my 80's, and gave lots of low end for music. I also believe that for music, sometimes a smaller driver is better. It can give a tighter sound, which is what you want when listening to music. It won't move as much air as a 350. But for music, that may not be as important. Your M80's are a full range speaker, and should play music quite nicely all on there own. I am guessing your not looking to shake the foundation here, just want to add a nice subtle bottom end when listing to your favorite CDs.

If I had a music only room with the M80's, my choice would be the EP175.

Food for thought.

paul

Worf, what is your room size? The OP appears to have a very large room

My room at that time was over 5000 cubic feet.

Let's be clear, I don't recommend the EP175 for movies, not at all, it bottomed out at higher volumes for movies, which is why I moved to the 500. But for critical music listening (and I am not talking about techno or RAP), I liked it much as my EP500.

Again, the M80's handle most of the sound. The EP175 just picked up that last 5% of the bottom end. The 10" driver was very very tight, and accurate.

I would seriously consider two EP175's over a single EP500 for music listening only. This was Alan's recommendation to me also when I talked to him about a music only system.

paul