Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Thinking of upgrading my sub

Hi guys,

Axiom owner here. I've been thinking of upgrading my sub but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to get. I currently have an HSU STF3, http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-3.html.

While overall I'm generally happy with the sub, I do feel like I could get something that digs a little deeper. Problem is being in Canada it seems my choices are a bit limited. I could spend the $1,200 on the EP500 but with taxes that comes to $1,400. I thought about the SVS SB13 Ultra but that is already at $1,400 without taxes. I've also been looking at the HSU VTF3 MK4 which is $650 but will probably cost another $300 at least in taxes, duties and shipping.

So I feel kinda of stuck. To be honest I'm not partiicularly found of the look of the ep500 either. The rectangular port and chopped sides of the driver...I find it looks well ugly...this is going in my condo and has to fit in with the decor....

Any suggestions...

it would help if you tell us about:

how loud do you listen to movies/music;
how large is the room (in cu.ft.), including other rooms connected
through open doorways;
what would you like to reproduce?: right down to 20 Hz or
do you want to go down to infra sound ?
your budget.

Well my budget is really maxed at with the ep500's. Preferably I'd like to spend a bit less if possible.

My living room is combined with my dining room so about 16 x 20 with my couch the divider between. Here's my current layout... thankfully I posted it here awhile ago. http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=346422&page=5

As well, to the left of my living room is my kitchen which is open to the living room via the counter.

Like I said, I would like something that gives me a little more than the stf3. I definitely want to feel that rumble when I watch the blu ray of War of the Worlds and the street rips open near the beginning...

I would say I would be using it for about 70% movies and 30% music.

I think you're going to need a significantly bigger box/amp/driver if you want to get "lower and louder" than the STF3. I'd be surprised if you could make a very meaningful improvement for much less than the cost of the EP500.

Have you considered bass-shakers?

the link you provided is wrong...

Well technically I can get it for less cost...unfortunately it's the shipping from the US that puts a hole in the plan. The VTF3 MK4 from HSU seems like it would make a pretty good difference but I just hate wasting dollars just for shipping and duties. I guess I would really have to check with them for the total cost.

Any idea how the ep500 compares to my STF 3?

I would prefer to do without the base shakers and adding extra wiring. I'd like to try to keep things clean and simple. Plus less wiring is less likey that my two dogs will get at them.

Hmm the link works for me when I click it from my post. Does the link not take you to a thread here on the Axiom forum?

i probably need to reboot...
the link takes me to another thread that has nothing to do with your layout.

Well the thread is about problems with my M80's I originally had but on page 5 I included a photo of my living room...so maybe you are seeing the right thing.

i found the photos at the address you gave, but aren't they on page 3 of the thread instead of page 5?

the whole thread has 4 pages with only one post on page 4.

Nope there are 7 pages on the thread....seems odd. When I click the link it takes me to the correct page.

Perhaps try searching on posts by my username and look for one that is titled "Just received my M80's..."

if the only thing you don't like about the EP500 is the looks, then you can install it with the driver and port facing the wall and leaving maybe 1 foot distance between the two.

i've seen a test done this way in a good Internet audio magazine.

i think the EP500 would fill your needs.

The number of posts per page is adjustable by each forum user.

your axiom forum must be configured differently than mine then.
anyway, i saw you photos. thanks.

Edit: i just checked my config and it was 20 posts/page;
i changed it so default: 10 posts/page.

Here's a low quality picture of the EP350 (EP175 on the left), that I bought a couple of years ago. It's the same cabinet as the EP500. This one is with custom vinyl of Cinnamon Beech. It looks much, much better with a good quality picture. You can pay an additional, $75 or so and get it in something other than Black or the standard cherry.

Daniel,

I have come from an ep350 and then dual ep500's. Just as a suggestion, you might want to look into CHT passive subs with an outboard amp. They do sell to Canada, not sure about shipping costs, but for the money, I would highly recommend the sealed 18" SS-18.1 with the Dayton amp.

I purchased dual 18.1's with dual amps as well. See the link below for my review, this purchase stopped my search for the ultimate bass for movies and music dead in its tracks. My house could not take any more, believe me. Also see CHT product review at hometheatershack.com as well, good luck with your decision.

https://www.chasehometheater.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4982

Daniel, thems some awesome speaks ..... what is the finish ? I want high gloss vinyl, but it is discontinued ;(

Those are the High Gloss Cherry. I believe they did discontinue the finish. I probably got the last pair

As to the CHT's, I would be in the same situation as the HSU's since they are located in the US. Plus the additional expense of an amp which I really don't have room for. But thanks for the recommendation

Daniel, I always use the grill on my EP500. At bass frequencies there's no sonic disadvantage in doing so.

Hoping I could get some opinions on how you think the following subs would compare to the ep500?
http://www.funkaudio.ca/15.0_Overview.html
and
http://www.funkaudio.ca/18.0C_Overview.html

Just checking out other options

Any have any thoughts on the SVS SB13-Ultra? How would that compare to the EP500?

How handy are you. Maybe build one of your own. I got a kit from creative sound solutions and made my own cabinet. I got a real sense of satisfaction building my own sub and ended up with some serious bass. It uses tuneable passive radiators,though i set it up according to instructions for a 27hz output. Make it any shape you want as long as you adhere to the internal volume specified.Check it out creative

I love my PB 13 ultra and the new one is supposedly even better than mine. The PB13 ultra and pretty much most other subs I have heard sound slightly differeent then the Axiom line up. Axiom subs have a smooth rich sound, more textured than the simple thud most subs produce. I feel this sound is more realistic to a live performance however to get the same depth of FR you need to get into the EP800 which has a similar response to the PB13.

"How handy are you." Well I have two hands...and that's about it lol. I live in a condo so there's no choice of me making my own.

As to the PB13 Ultra, it goes for $1,899 which is way out of bounds for me.

It's going to be the EP500 or the Funky Waves 15.0 I suspect. If I go with the EP500 I just might even go the factory outlet way and save a $100.

I think I'm going to have to compromise on my choice a bit. It's really frustrating buying subs here in Canada. All the subs in the US are so much cheaper in price but by the time you pay $300 for shipping then duties on top, you are past the price of the EP500 especially the FO price.

Not that I'm knocking the EP500 but I wish we had more choices here.

That was pretty much the situation when I bought my sub. The EP500 is a very good sub and you will be happy with it.

The Funky Waves 15" would have been an excellent alternative and may well have given you more bass extension based on its greater displacement. They guy does amazing work with finishes!

I would feel better about the EP500 if it maybe had some rounded corners lol. It just looks like a giant square box...which it is...It can't be all that much more difficult to round the corners.

I don't really need my sub to go down to 15hz, I think the ep500 is fine in that regard. Just something that fits into the home a little better. Not all of us are lucky enough to have a basement theatre room.

Boy did I red that wrong SB13 not PB13. The EP500 and SB 13 I suspect would be very similar and I see you decided on the 500 from the other post, you should be very happy with that sub it has some great ouput for a smallish box.

Don't be concerned about saving some cash by getting an EP500 from the factory outlet. I've done it and didn't notice any blemishes on the woofer at all.

So did the 2.5hr drive up to Axiom on Monday to drop off my M80's and VP150. Got a little tour of the shop by Steve(?) I believe it was. Quite impressive! I actually got to go into the Anechoic chamber. Pretty cool I must say!

What was really impressive were the Bryston speakers that Axiom were building. They had a couple of finished ones sitting there and I have to say those speakers are monsters! I think they were 120lbs each.

Also saw a pair of LFR's being built in the Rosenut finish. Now that is one beautiful finish for a speaker. I really wish I could have afforded that for my speakers.

Looks like I'll have to wait until mid next week to receive my speakers. I was tempted to look at the Russian Maple finish but decided to be suprised since there wasn't much I could do at this point if I didn't like the finish.