Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Subwoofer- the monster EP800 or two EP500s?

Gday all. I've been reading through this forum for months and I am the proud new owner of a pair of m80s v3s, pair of Qs8 v3s and have a vp180 coming shortly (just got the confirmation from Noreen about shipping as I was writing this !!! Woo Hoo!). I am extactic with the sound quality so far paired with an Onkyo TX-NR5007. Im certainly not a noob when it comes to quality sound as this is my 5th home theater setup and I have had my share of high end cans with many different amps and DACs.

I am not an expert at bass management however and I will be forking over major cash to get the best LFE my $2500 can buy. Not being able to afford two ep800s, I was hoping you guys could help me out in making the best decision for my setup. The room is not done yet but will be a dedicated home theater room just big enough to properly fit my 120inch screen for my Epson u8500. I am more concerned about getting bass you can FEEL, meaning under 20hz. I am thinking dimensions somewhere in the range of 15'x9' with 9' ceilings give or take. I tried to look through the forum but did not find this topic in any threads... I apologize if my question has been covered. Peace

Btw, also picking up another pair of Qs8s

If you're looking for depth, go with the single EP800. Not that that the EP500s won't supply that, but the 800 will supply more.

Congrats, btw.

Thanks! Im super stoked with my setup. There is a clarity I thought I could only get with my Grado RS1's or Akg 702 headphones...

That is pretty much what I was thinking Re the ep800.. Going with one and really concentrating on the ideal room placement.

How big is your room? Not much LFE content out there under 25hz, so the 800's lower reach potential may not be as useful as a second sub.

I suppose it depends on what movies one has in their collection, and also what "not much" means. It seems like in The Master List of DVD, HD-DVD & Blu-ray Movies with BASS Thread on AV Science Forum, there are plenty of single-digit bass moments listed.

If you really want to “FEEL” the bass under 20Hz and your seating allows it I would get a tactile transducer. For less than 1/4th the price of an EP800, about $390, you can get a Buttkicker LFE Kit, the one I have, which goes down to 5Hz with more authority than any retail subwoofer made AFAIK.

http://www.amazon.com/ButtKicker-BK-LFEK...cp_ob_e_title_0

IMO a tactile transducer is a far more effective/efficient way of getting really low bass than a subwoofer for the similar reasons that a subwoofer is more effective than most “full range” speakers at producing bass. Primarily it’s purpose built to produce very low frequencies and transfer them directly to you rather than transmit them to you through the air.

So if I were you I would consider an EP500 and a tactile transducer before dropping the $800 more a single EP800 would cost you.

Another advantage you have is dual subwoofer outputs like my Onkyo 3007. Makes integrating a Buttkicker with a sub a breeze.

Cheers,
Dean

I still look forward to getting one of those. One of these days.

me to, just trying to decide how many of the actual vibrating units I would need. I assume one for the stage for the rear seating, and maybe one to attach to the Dricor floating subflooring to rattle the front rows..

I think Dean's idea is really good.