Just wondering on your thoughts. Would you rather have two EP500's or one EP800?

Definitely, the dual 500's. Really helps from being able to constantly "place" (hear) the LFE at the source. But I have only one. There are some crazie$ with 4, so ask again so one of them will advise you.

I like really low LFE so I would go with the EP800 but dual EP500's will allow the possibility of smoothing out the bass throughout the room.

Can't go wrong either way. Never heard the 800, but I love my 500, goes low enough for me and most people (does a great job of shaking my house). I would consider a 2nd. My vote goes to the two 500s. Granted one 500 is still very powerful! Just more flexability and options. Also, not as heavy and bulky.

pn

my vote foes for an ep800

There was a very informative video made by Ian a year ago explaining how more subs provide a flatter response across more seating positions (as echoed above in Jakewash/Jason's post). I would therefore go with 2 EP500s instead of one EP800 (and, coincidentally, this is what I did).

Yep, more subs will provide a flatter response across the room, while larger subs reach lower in frequency response. Take your pick.

The answer is simple... Get 2 ep800's

Ditto!

The voice of experience -> onn

and CV will suggest 4 EP800's

2 vs 1

How difficult is it to get 2 subs set up right? Would an average user be better off with only 1 sub to worry about?

I would say that it's impossible to get one sub set up "right". It's only possible to find the best compromise.

It is not really any harder to get 2 subs set up 'right' than one. There are a number of posts on the subject here and elsewhere. Basically you set up one sub at the same SPL as the speakers then turn it off and set the other sub (not for co-lacated subs) and voila, you are now running a X.2 system (well still only x.1 but dual subs ) From this point you can start tweaking forever.

some of the newer receivers let you setup each sub individually, which would be nice. I usually turn one sub off, calibrate the other, then turn the other one off, calibrate the 1st, then turn them both on and rock the house.

I still vote for an ep800. You can add a second one later when budget permits. If you buy 2 ep500's you are going to give in and sell them and buy two ep800's later anyway... or maybe you can keep them and end up with 2 of each?