Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners EP500-EP600 vs SVS-HSU?

I read a little on this on the Hsu site..........should be interesting.

Don't drop this on your foot:


-- click for bigger version --

Note the CD leaning against it for size comparison ^_^.

*scurries away...the precious...we wants it! we must pet it....*

- D

I just posted this to another thread concerning the Subs, and thought I might get some play in thios thread as well...

Anyway, I'm on the Sub Hunt as well, and was wondering why all of the talk here about Subs centers on the HSU and V-something, and not the Subs from Axiom? I'm leaning towards the EP 500 right now, but that was simply due to reading the reviews online, and a growing desire not to have to drag my ass all over the internet looking at other brands and doing the endless comparisons. Are these other subs that you are talking about quite a bit better for the money, or just as good for a lot less money? I must admit that I am less and less fond of trying to sort through all of the damn choices out there! Choices are wonderful, but when there are as many as there are now with the Web, they can also be Paralyzing! Heck, it took me weeks to narrow my choices for the mains down to the M60's and I am certainly not interested in sorting through the World Wide Web all over again for a sub!
Interestedin your responses...
Another Giants Fan!
TjB

There are some here who feel that better value can be obtained in the sub department by looking at SVS or Hsu. The EP500 however, didn't exist when pretty much anyone who frequents these boards regularly purchased their subwoofers. As such, nobody has compared them. From what information is available, they seem like great options, and will be stylistically and tonally matched to your other Axiom speakers.

Edit: by "they" I mean the EP500 and EP600, Axioms new subs.

Welcome Seabear, even if you ARE a Giants fan. And, yes, this whole "sorting through all the options" thing can be quite daunting.

SVS and HSU are the high profile sub manufacturers, at the moment. Both companies manufacture subs primarily, although HSU makes a highly regarded HTIB (The ventriloquist), and I'm hearing rumblings that SVS is soon to be manufacturing speakers. It is my opinion that both companies make a very good product, and each company has it's devoted supporters, but there are others to consider as well, among them the Axiom subs.

The Axiom 500 and 600 are very new, and kinda unknown quantities at this point because of a lack of impartial, quantitative, and qualitative comparisons to other brands. On paper they both look incredible. We have several here on the forum who own both, and are QUITE happy with them. But, the same can be said about the other Axiom subs, and HSU and SVS subs. I don't think you'd be making a mistake with any of these brands.

If having the sub match your speakers in appearance is a high priority, then the Axiom subs should be your first consideration. If that isn't a must, then consider the other brands as well. It's basically, a win/win decision.

I guess I just have not suffered enough recently, because I am undoubtedly going to throw gasoline on this issue.

To me, the salient question is "where is the optimal price/performance point FOR YOU?"

Axiom has been making high quality, front-firing box subwoofers for a long time (EP125, EP175, EP350). There are thousands of satisfied customers. These subs sell for $600 or less (approx).

This price category has been ruled, at least in terms of internet buzz, by SVS and Hsu offerings. Some assert that those manufacturers offer higher perceived value, partially due to their specialization in subwoofers.

Axioms new subs (EP500 and EP600) break new ground in several ways. First, and most importantly, the amplification technology is truly groundbreaking in the industry. Second, they are strategically placed to compete in the marketplace against much costlier offerings, and in a price category where Hsu has very limited products.

Now, you've GOT to ask yourself "how much sub do I need?". About six months ago, after consulting the above manufacturers, my wife and my bank account, I decided that I could not justify more than about $650 for a sub. I took as a given that the Axiom EP350, Hsu STF-3 and VTF-3, SVS PC series and SVS PB12 would all be competent. I wanted a down-firing box form factor, which eliminated the Axiom and the SVS cylinders. I want to support American manufacturing jobs, so I bought the SVS. Some people place value on different things (finish, country of origin, manufacturer, experience, tea leaves, recommendation, reviews, cycle of the moon, budget, ad infinitum).

I have my sub in a very large room (13x26 with cathedral ceilings sloping to 17', adjoining a 10x14 foyer with the full 17' ceilings, and opening to a kitchen and a hallway). It is MORE than deep enough FOR ME. It is MORE than loud enough FOR ME. I am completely satisfied. I truly have difficulty imagining how my LFE experience could be better.

In my room, would there be audible differences between a $650 sub and a $1200+ sub? Almost certainly. Would I be able to discern them? Probably. Am I willing to pay the the premium to obtain them? No.

It is similar to the budget/performance analysis journey I took with Axiom speakers in the first place. They hit my sweet spot. Other people will almost certainly chime in that their lives would be incomplete without thousands of watts of room-pressurizing, deep-excursion power, and that I am a dullard, an ignoramus or worse. Good for them, and I would be honored to share their home theatre experience some time. Perhaps it would change my life. But, in all candor, I perceive the experience in my room to be without meaningful compromise.

Good luck with your journey.

- Tom

You are worse than an ignorant dullard... really... I mean that!

Geez, Andrew, thanks for making the suffering so complete and so immediate

Next time I'm in Boston, perhaps you can help expand my reality with delicious food, sublime Belgian beers and dangerous levels of bass.

Until then, I'm just going to enjoy my life. Because it is good!

Tom, your post came at a good time for me. I've been trying to decide between the HSU STF-3 and the SVS PB12-ISD for a few weeks. I've been looking for a reason to pick one over the other. Your room is very similar to mine and your decision to go with the SVS is where I am leaning. Barring a change of heart (which is always possible!), I will be ordering the PB12-ISD.

It's time to move on to something else, like a DirecTV HD receiver with Tivo!!!

John

John, I am so pleased for you. Our setups are very similar, also (except that I have a VP100 rather than the VP150). I am very satisfied with the performance and build quality of the SVS, and their service was top notch also.

I am in the minority here, but my ears tell me that I like the M60's run as "large", with the sub crossover set accordingly. I will be interested to hear your experience in this regard.