Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Help me pick a sub

I'm a couple weeks out from ordering my Axiom speakers (M60s, VP150 and QS8s) and I need a good sub to throw in the mix. My room is 13' x 18' x 10' and has a 9' opening to the stairwell on the right side of the tv. I want a sub that will shake the walls during movies but still provide tight harmonious bass with music.

My budget is around $1200 Canadian. Subs I've looked at:

EP500 - right at my budget, made in Canada, good warranty - is it it really 5 years including the amp? matches speakers. My only concern is the price seems high compared to the competition.

A5-350 - looks like a beast, made in us - with shipping and gst, total would be around $1050, warranty is only 1 year on the amp

SVS through sonic boom - concerned that amps recently changing over to DSP but I believe sonic boom is still selling old stock

HSU - to much to ship to Canada - VTF3 would cost the same as a5-350 despite selling for 100 less in the US

Epik - looked at the Empire - haven't looked into shipping yet.

To all you axiom owners out there, what sub(s) are you rockin?

I just recently became aware of another option available for Canadian consumers regarding subwoofers. You won't get hit with import charges either which is a problem with the majority of subwoofer manufacturers and living in Canada.

http://www.funkywaves.net/

There is lots of information regarding their products on home theater shack to research. FWIW one of their subwoofers is going to be featured in audioholics latest subwoofer testing which will include measurements and listening evaluations which you should keep an eye out for along with an offering from SVS and ED I think.

Thanks for the link, they definitely have some unique designs. When is the audioholics article supposed to come out?

That I am not sure on. It seems at this point they have the list of manufacturers and subs that are going to be featured.

If you want the possibility of saving a few bucks and go Axiom, I would try the EP350. I have it in a room just a little smaller than yours and it provides plenty of bass for music and movies. Bought mine with custom vinyl for about $830.

If you can get a SVS PC-12 plus from Sonicboom audio, I highly recommend it. Will fit in your budget, great sub, cylinder looks cool too.

I just ordered an Outlaw LFM1-Plus. They just had a sale so it was a deal. Had it shipped to a US Address (I'm in Canada) and its been sitting there since WEDNESDAY and I haven't had time to go pick it up!

350W of 12" power... just... beyond... my grasp! Gah!

snazzed

I would consider the HSU ULS-15, which is right at your budget limit. It digs down quite low linearly (around 15 Hz) and there have been positive reviews. I bet for movies it has a thump-you-in-the-chest impact that (if the movie scene calls for it) some of the others may not because of the difference in driver size and amp in the ULS15.

The specs of the Epik Empire seem to be quite similar though, so between those two it could be pretty close. I recommended the HSU first because I haven't read any reviews of the Empire, but I have with the HSU. If there are good reviews for the Empire then it does seem like a better price.

I just noticed that the new Epik Empire has dual 15's and not just one like it used to. It seems like a very similar sub to the HSU ULS15, but with two drivers. I would seriously look into the Epik. They have had good reviews with past products and this looks like a very good sub for the price. But, there aren't any reviews out yet that I know of. So you should probably see if you audition it in your home (a 30 day return policy?) or if there is somehow you can listen to this sub first.

I have been using a Paradigm DSP3400 with my Axioms for the last 2 yrs to good effect. Price at the time was $700 CAD with some minor haggling but I think they'd likely go for $800ish + these days. To be fair, I've not heard an Axiom sub as of yet, so I'll reserve any comparison to the EP350 or EP500, but so far, I'm very pleased with the Paradigm.