Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Hearing Things Blind Test and a review of the LFR-1100's

He can't pick a favourite. At the outset the terms of his testing were no "shootout" results. This way companies are more likely to cooperate. The internet has a way of latching onto to a single review and taking it as the be all end all. Axiom got burned a while back by a Sound and Vision shootout. Avoiding this is paramount to any online company. But you already knew all that.

If you read between the lines you know what he favours. Or at least I think I do...... And you know which one he continually uses as a benchmark reference: the 800.

So far the Klipsch "won" the earlier round of testing.
The SB16 ultra is currently wowing him, but the ep800 isn't easy to look past (or around, or over.... )

Craig, say it straight for us man. You have set up so many subs that you can get similar results from any of 'em. Most people couldn't tell the difference once set up correctly.

The hard part of the long threads can be finding pertinent information easily ... The Klipsch was not the "winner" of the $1000 subwoofer test.

For sheer bass output, depth and sound quality, the Rythmik and Hsu were pretty much a tie.

Here is one mid test summary BEFORE the Rythmik arrived ...

""While this is not intended to be a "ranking order" subwoofer test, as they are both the same size and money, it's becoming clear that the Hsu is a more sensible choice than the Klipsch. One does not have to sacrifice sound quality to get BOOM down deep.


Both the Axiom and SVS subs will fit in places that the Hsu and Klipsch won't. The SVS is surprisingly easy to place, and the Axiom is a sub that almost disappears. The pictures will be essential to showing the differences between the 4 subs.


If you are somewhat space limited, and crave 15 Hz in room, the SVS is a great choice. If you are somewhat space limited and want the fidelity of the Hsu, and can give up 3 dB, the Axiom is an excellent option - in fact, it can deliver terrific bass from 22 Hz and up in even big rooms.""

For the $2000-$2500 subwoofers, There is more to be done, including getting the latest Rythmik "super sub" later this year ...

The EP800 is the standard bearer for two reasons - I really love how it performs and am also more familiar with it than the other subs.

Based on the performance, it's likely that our rooms are going to be swapped out later this year, with certain subs slotting into each room, along with certain speakers.

Craig can you confirm your preference to use or not to use the subsonic filter on the EP800?
Just curious...

I have never engaged the subsonic filter. This may explain the 11 Hz floor we got in our rather difficult theater room.

Could you try it without, just to round out the comparisons?
Limiting it might change the nature of the beast...

Funny you would mention that ... it may take a while, but yes, I will be putting the EP-800 (actually - 3 of them) into the system later this year and will do some comparisons with/without subsonic engaged.

Tx

I have been doing some back and forth with and without the subsonic applied, and the filter does lose some of the real "feel".

For example .. the Trinity Sessions from Cowboy Junkies has this subterranean bass present during the entire performance (word is it's from the Toronto subway system) ... the filter takes some of this away.

Steely Dan's 2 against nature also loses some of the depth with the filter engaged.

I am still thrilled with the speakers, too. Just upgraded from the Outlaw 975 to a Marantz 7703, and it sounds AMAZING.

The LFR-1100's with the EP800 is a world class performer at a real world price.

Every couple of months, I audition some really expensive stuff, and always come away with wanting the system at home.

Hi Craigsub

I just picked up a Marantz AV 7703 from Amazon. They threw in a Klipsch SW 311 sub. Couldn't resist. I'm replacing an Integra DTC 9.4 processor (no HDMI). Haven't set it up yet, but hope to get it up and running next weekend.

I'm very glad to hear you like yours. Are you running ATMOS? If so, what do you think?

I felt some anxiety about buying another piece of audio equipment.

I thought about going to a shrink to rid myself of my audio obsession. Then I figured, I'd use the money I use for audio to pay a shrink, but then the shrink would have my money and he could buy a lot of audio equipment, and I'd be cured, but ... he'd be getting the good stuff!!!

I'm just going to have to deal with it.

Conference Room 7.2 HT system:

Marantz AV7703
Axiom M-80s
Axiom VP-160
Axiom QS-8s
Mission 77ds
Axiom EP400
Axiom EP500
Yamaha M80 2 channel amp
Anthem PVA 5 (5 channel amp)

Craig where do you cross the 1100's with the EP800's?