EP 500 vs. SVS-PB12 - Axiom Message Boards

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I did a search on the forums and didn't see to many topics on this but I was wondering which of the two subs are better?

Axiom EP500 vs SVS-PB12

Has anyone heard both of these subs? Is there much of a difference between the two?

Here is the review for the SVS-PB12
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/SVSPB12Plus2p1.php

Which one are you talking about? The PB12-Plus or the PB12-Plus/2? The second one has two drivers.

Whoops. The SVS-PB12-Plus 2.

Here is a list of rankings compiled by my friend Craigsub. They are his opinion, no more, no less, based on a good amount of objective measuring and a lot of subjective listening. Though Craig is relatively knowledgeable when it comes to subwoofers, accepting or rejecting his conclusions is up to each individual.

1. JL Audio Fathom 113: 103 points.
2. Velodyne DD-18: 100 points.
3. ACI Maestro: 97 points.
4. JL Audio Fathom 112: 95 points.
5. Hsu VTF-3 HO + Turbo: 94 points
5a. Hsu VTF-3 HO w/o Turbo: 92 points
6. SVS PB12-Ultra: 90 points.
6T. Axiom EP-500: 90 points
7. SVS PB12-Plus/2: 87 points.
8. Rocket UFW-12: 85 points (provisional)
9. Rocket X-Sub: 78 points
10. Rocket Tyke: 60 points

"The Axiom EP-500 and the PB12-Ultra are virtual ties. The Axiom is a little more articulate, while the Ultra yields an extra 1/2 octave deeper."

How the scaling works is this: each 3 points represents a 15% higher level of overall performance. It is also cumulative.

For example, The Fathom 113 is 43 points higher than the TYKE. Grab a calculator, and you will see you have 14.33 consecutive 15% improvements.

Take 1.15 x 1, and do it 14 times, and you get 7.08. Next, multiply 7.075 x 1.05, and you get 7.43.

In other words, the Fathom has 743% higher performance than does the Tyke.

The Hsu VTF-3 HO W/Turbo has 38.9% higher performance than does the SVS PB12-Plus/2 (in this case, the overall musicality added to extension wins the day).

The Fathom 113 has 46.5% higher performance than does the 112.

As an aside, to keep this from being overcomplicated, each single point outside the 3 point criteria is scored at 1.05, not according to a true scale, which would be 1.0477.

Jack, thanks so much! From what I've read, Craig's methodology for testing seems sound, and I respect his conclusions. What amazes me is how high the Hsu ranks. Considering it's company within the list, it must be one hell of a sub, and for the money it's a downright bargain.

At the Hsu site, it can be had for $629.00. Go one step down to the EP500 - $1200.00. Go two steps up to the JL - around $1900.00. Half the cost of it's closest competitors. Amazing.

Did I miss somethng or is that a new avatar? Love it and them. Always have to have a listen to their album this time of year....On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..... a BEER. Classic.

Correction--the VTF-3 HO is $899. Still a great value. +Turbo is $999.

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Did I miss somethng or is that a new avatar? Love it and them. Always have to have a listen to their album this time of year....On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..... a BEER. Classic.

5 Golden Touque's
4 Pounds of Back Bacon
3 French Toast's
2 Turtle Necks
and a Beer!

I have fond memories of watching Strange Brew as a kid. Unfortunately if I re-visit the movie now, I'm sure it would ruin the "magic" I remember.

Yes, it was time to retire the old avatar of Kate Beckinsale. It was so small, most couldn't tell who it was anyhow.

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Correction--the VTF-3 HO is $899. Still a great value. +Turbo is $999.

Ken, when I googled the sub, it took me directly to the Hsu Products Page. As you can see, there is only one VTF-3 MK2 for $699.00. Didn't even clue-in about the "HO" as it wasn't listed on the page. My bad. You figure that they would list ALL their products on their products page.

Hsu Research just rolled out a whole list of new products that hasn't made it to their product page. They are suppose to have an all new web page shortly.

Yeah, Hsu's a little strange like that.

It looks like the list has a new contender in the top 10 best.

1. $3200 + (shipping?) JL Audio Fathom 113: 103 points.
2. $4995 + (shipping?) Velodyne DD-18: 100 points.
3. $2150 + (shipping?) ACI Maestro: 97 points.
4. $2200 + (shipping?) JL Audio Fathom 112: 95 points.
5. $999 + ($105 Shipping) Hsu VTF-3 HO + Turbo: 94 points
5a. $899 + ( $80 shipping) Hsu VTF-3 HO w/o Turbo: 92 points
6. $649 + ($75 shipping) VTF-3 Mark III w/o turbo: 91 points
7. $1299 + ( $99 shipping) SVS PB12-Ultra: 90 points.
7T. $1200 + ( $0 shipping included) Axiom EP-500: 90 points
8. $1299 + ( $99 shipping) SVS PB12-Plus/2: 87 points.
9. $599 + ($50+ shipping) PB12-NSD: 86 Points
10. $1099 + ($100 shipping) Rocket UFW-12: 85 points (provisional)

I am waiting for Craigsub to report back on VTF2-3 (he has it in the queue to test in the next couple of weeks) and see where it falls on the list. I just got the Epic60/350 setup and not to sure about the EP350 performance. If the VTF2-3 makes in the top 10 (dreaming) I am buying, since the price listed is difficult to pass up at ~$469. If not VTF3-3 is the one to get. Would love to get the EP500 to stick with Axiom product line but additional 400 over the EP350 is a bit much right now for me to come up with.

-Deepak

I'd love to see him test an EP600v2.

I know at some point he did have an EP 600. He spoke highly of it but it doesn't seem to had made his list.

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I'd love to see him test an EP600v2.

Craig stated (regarding the EP600) that it would probably be 2 or 3 points higher has it has the same extension but only produced 3 db more volume down low than the EP500.