Av123 Mfw-15

[zeuiax]

What are the pros and cons of this sub? Is it worth a buy for $400 (b stock)?

 

[adk highlander]

I've heard alot about amp failures with these. If it is b-stock I would ask if it has the upgraded amp. If not then I would pass.

 

[krzywica]

What are the pros and cons of this sub? Is it worth a buy for $400 (b stock)?

They are automatically replacing and even giving a spare amp to people with the old ones. So sure there is a risk of equipment failure if you get one with an old amp, but there really isn't a risk because they will just send you a new one.

 

[NicolasKL]

I'd pass anyway. Amps are the biggest problem, but there also appear to be plenty of bad drivers, missing/stripped screws, air leaks, humming problems, veneer problems, etc. You don't always get what you pay for when it comes to the audio world, but in this case I'd spend a little more and get a subwoofer that I'd feel more confident in (and a company I'd feel more confident dealing with).

If I were going to buy a subwoofer right now I'd probably look more closely at Epik or maybe buying one of Elemental Designs DIY subs.

 

[krzywica]

I'd pass anyway. Amps are the biggest problem, but there also appear to be plenty of bad drivers, missing/stripped screws, air leaks, humming problems, veneer problems, etc. You don't always get what you pay for when it comes to the audio world, but in this case I'd spend a little more and get a subwoofer that I'd feel more confident in (and a company I'd feel more confident dealing with).

If I were going to buy a subwoofer right now I'd probably look more closely at Epik or maybe buying one of Elemental Designs DIY subs.

For $400 you can't get anywhere hear this subs performance or aesthetics.

 

[rnatalli]

For $400 you can't get anywhere hear this subs performance or aesthetics.

The VTF-1 on sale right now offers real wood veneer for $411, but it won't have the output of the MFW-15.

 

[Matt34]

What are the pros and cons of this sub? Is it worth a buy for $400 (b stock)?

It comes down to you and if your comfortable at throwing $400 at something with known multiple issues. Most are fixable but do you want to deal with them and the possiblity of having the sub out of commison for any amount of time? The amp and MDF issues (soft wood, striped and missing screws) would be my biggest worries.

 

[zeuiax]

Thanks everyone. Dont know if I want to deal with those issues even if it comes with 3 years warranty. Let me know look elsewhere. But got to admit Moho rosa satin finish looks :drool:

 

[NicolasKL]

For $400 you can't get anywhere hear this subs performance or aesthetics.

Depends on your POV. Personally I'd rather sacrifice some output in order to get a driver and amplifier that aren't pieces of poo, and I'd rather have a nice matte black finish like HSU does than a veneer that has problems. IMO the MFW is the Cerwin Vega of the ID subwoofers (if Cerwin Vega had severe QC problems and were run by someone that appears to be a crook), it's cheap and makes a lot of noise but that doesn't mean it's the best.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Does that include shipping? If not you can add another $100 to that making it more like $500. This is b-stock you are looking at so at the very least the sub will have veneer issues such as scratches or cracking. In the case of cracked veneer it is more than likely going to get worse over time. Add to that all the other possible quality control problems that you could recieve such as bad amps, non ground loop hums, defective drivers, stripped screws- the cons start to outweigh the pros. I wouldn't buy one.

If you want to deal with the possible problems with the MFW then by all means, if you want a seamsless transaction from another company and pay a bit more for a quality product then go elsewhere.

 

[rnatalli]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1199788

It seems I see a thread like this everyday about the MFW-15. It's a shame really as some of the products at Av123 are great like the Rocket and ELT line. And the x-sub they made a while back was a great little sub for $199.

 

[skers_54]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1199788

It seems I see a thread like this everyday about the MFW-15. It's a shame really as some of the products at Av123 are great like the Rocket and ELT line. And the x-sub they made a while back was a great little sub for $199.

Well, I'm on my third amp for my x-sub so the MFW definitely isn't the first amp AV123 has had issues with. I think it has to do with cost-saving decisions on their part. My first and second amps were the "2nd generation" amps, which had a number of problems, while the latest one (that's supposed to ship this week) is an original that's supposed to be more robust. Oddly similar to the MFW situation but not quite as pervasive, IMO.

 

[hanskra]

All things being equal....I am done and 100% happy

Subwoofers were not part of this household, till a few days ago. We have other excellent and very musical gear, so we are spoiled for music, just not HT. Then came along AV123 and it seems I had lucky timing.....$399 for B-stock MFW-15, which at $700 is a steal, irregardless if A, B or D-stock. Who could resist?

The big box travelled well and protected the sub from rough handling. After some back-challenging manoeuvres (for a mature guy) the sub made it to my HT room. The Moho wood looks classy, even if its surface has numerous fine cracks. They are noticable to the touch but not to the eye without pocket lamp in the dim HT room. I am not anal about looks in that room but gear quality is my religion here.

The hookup worked, but then....NOTHING. No sound, even though the green light came on. From experience with technical equipment I no longer throw arms in the air nor am I starting to write flaming forum comments that help nobody. I armed myself with good lighting, screw drivers, a good Fluke multi and patience and called AV123. Kyle was brief, cortious, very knowledgable, and a pleasant change compared to many dry and ignorant customer support departments these days. He guided me patiently to a cold solder that shut everything down. The call, including resoldering, robbed me of only 10 minutes of my life. Now all is 100 and works as it must.

BUT.....coming to the question: The MFW-15 works wonderful, fast, precise, powerful, and lays a simply impressive bass foundations from classical via jazz to disgusting bass laden Hip-Hop to action movies like Iron Man. AND, opposed to many here who crave 120dB, we savour good music without the pain and ringing timpany at 120dB. I can fully attest that even at low to medium volumes (70-90dB), the MFW-15 works unobtrusively, always ready with tons of headroom, happy to please its new owners and take his socks off any moment he is called to severe duty. So....whatever stories were written here about AV123 and their business practises, I cannot confirm any, but they all change nothing on the fact, that the MFW-15 is a pristine piece of audio engineering (even if it tested my patience at first). Anytime again. So much for my 5 cents. Happy Holidays!

 

[WmAx]

With the history of those amps? Eh......

For not much more, you can put together a sub using pre-fabricated Parts Express cabinet and a high grade 0 Audio amp and quality driver. And the sub will be of much higher quality/performance.

-Chris

 

[MinusTheBear]

Subwoofers were not part of this household, till a few days ago. We have other excellent and very musical gear, so we are spoiled for music, just not HT. Then came along AV123 and it seems I had lucky timing.....$399 for B-stock MFW-15, which at $700 is a steal, irregardless if A, B or D-stock. Who could resist?

The big box travelled well and protected the sub from rough handling. After some back-challenging manoeuvres (for a mature guy) the sub made it to my HT room. The Moho wood looks classy, even if its surface has numerous fine cracks. They are noticable to the touch but not to the eye without pocket lamp in the dim HT room. I am not anal about looks in that room but gear quality is my religion here.

The hookup worked, but then....NOTHING. No sound, even though the green light came on. From experience with technical equipment I no longer throw arms in the air nor am I starting to write flaming forum comments that help nobody. I armed myself with good lighting, screw drivers, a good Fluke multi and patience and called AV123. Kyle was brief, cortious, very knowledgable, and a pleasant change compared to many dry and ignorant customer support departments these days. He guided me patiently to a cold solder that shut everything down. The call, including resoldering, robbed me of only 10 minutes of my life. Now all is 100 and works as it must.

BUT.....coming to the question: The MFW-15 works wonderful, fast, precise, powerful, and lays a simply impressive bass foundations from classical via jazz to disgusting bass laden Hip-Hop to action movies like Iron Man. AND, opposed to many here who crave 120dB, we savour good music without the pain and ringing timpany at 120dB. I can fully attest that even at low to medium volumes (70-90dB), the MFW-15 works unobtrusively, always ready with tons of headroom, happy to please its new owners and take his socks off any moment he is called to severe duty. So....whatever stories were written here about AV123 and their business practises, I cannot confirm any, but they all change nothing on the fact, that the MFW-15 is a pristine piece of audio engineering (even if it tested my patience at first). Anytime again. So much for my 5 cents. Happy Holidays!

Not sure how you can call a product with such extensive problems a "pristine piece of audio engineering" . The history of issues with this sub are just staggering . The MFW-15 is equivalent to the XBOX 360 of consoles. Still, happy to hear you like your sub.

 

[Jed M]

$399 for B-stock MFW-15, which at $700 is a steal, irregardless if A, B or D-stock. Who could resist? ...

The big box travelled well and protected the sub from rough handling. ...
...
The Moho wood looks classy, even if its surface has numerous fine cracks. They are noticable to the touch but not to the eye without pocket lamp in the dim HT room. I am not anal about looks in that room but gear quality is my religion here.
...
From experience with technical equipment I no longer throw arms in the air nor am I starting to write flaming forum comments that help nobody.
...
Kyle was brief, cortious, very knowledgable, and a pleasant change compared to many dry and ignorant customer support departments these days.
...
The MFW-15 works wonderful, fast, precise, powerful, and lays a simply impressive bass foundations from classical via jazz to disgusting bass laden Hip-Hop to action movies like Iron Man.
...
the MFW-15 works unobtrusively, always ready with tons of headroom, happy to please its new owners and take his socks off any moment he is called to severe duty.
...
So....whatever stories were written here about AV123 and their business practises, I cannot confirm any,...
...
the MFW-15 is a pristine piece of audio engineering (even if it tested my patience at first).

Thanks for such a well thought out first post. I am sure nobody suspects you are Mark.

EDIT: Just thought I would highlight the believable parts, you know the stuff that didn't look like a press release.

 

[mperfct]

So let's say I have a MFW from one of the first batches, yet it doesn't have any problems. Should I contact AV123 for a spare amp or how does that work? I looked briefly on their site and the answer didn't slap me in the face.

 

[T2T]

So let's say I have a MFW from one of the first batches, yet it doesn't have any problems. Should I contact AV123 for a spare amp or how does that work? I looked briefly on their site and the answer didn't slap me in the face.

I'm pretty sure that if you contacted AV123, they'd ask what king of issues your amp is experiencing - and, probably try to troubleshoot the issues with you. This is going to be a bit hard to do if you have a perfectly good working amp. Additionally, they'll probably have you ship your current amp back.

IMO, if you amp is working fine - leave it at that and consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

 

[mperfct]

IMO, if you amp is working fine - leave it at that and consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

Oh I do, don't worry about that.

 

[gonk]

The big box travelled well and protected the sub from rough handling. After some back-challenging manoeuvres (for a mature guy) the sub made it to my HT room. The Moho wood looks classy, even if its surface has numerous fine cracks. They are noticable to the touch but not to the eye without pocket lamp in the dim HT room. I am not anal about looks in that room but gear quality is my religion here.

I'm glad the veneer cracks on your B-stock cabinet don't bother you, and I hope that they don't worsen in the months and years to come. It's worth noting, though, that they would be a major problem in other households. I doubt my wife would approve of a box that big having surface defects - once she knew they were there, they would drive her crazy.

The hookup worked, but then....NOTHING. No sound, even though the green light came on. From experience with technical equipment I no longer throw arms in the air nor am I starting to write flaming forum comments that help nobody. I armed myself with good lighting, screw drivers, a good Fluke multi and patience and called AV123. Kyle was brief, cortious, very knowledgable, and a pleasant change compared to many dry and ignorant customer support departments these days. He guided me patiently to a cold solder that shut everything down. The call, including resoldering, robbed me of only 10 minutes of my life. Now all is 100 and works as it must.

Very glad that you were able to get it fixed with a bit of soldering. Not all users would have that option.

I wonder if the problem was caused by shipping (if that packaging you complimented above actually did let you down a bit) or if it was a factory defect that was not caught by QA at AV123 (which would be a pretty glaring oversight)?

BUT.....coming to the question: The MFW-15 works wonderful, fast, precise, powerful, and lays a simply impressive bass foundations from classical via jazz to disgusting bass laden Hip-Hop to action movies like Iron Man. AND, opposed to many here who crave 120dB, we savour good music without the pain and ringing timpany at 120dB. I can fully attest that even at low to medium volumes (70-90dB), the MFW-15 works unobtrusively, always ready with tons of headroom, happy to please its new owners and take his socks off any moment he is called to severe duty. So....whatever stories were written here about AV123 and their business practises, I cannot confirm any, but they all change nothing on the fact, that the MFW-15 is a pristine piece of audio engineering (even if it tested my patience at first). Anytime again. So much for my 5 cents. Happy Holidays!

I hate to be critical in this case. You like your sub, and that's great! I like my sub, too. (It's an Outlaw LFM-1 that worked right out of the box and has continued to do so for five and a half years since.) However, if my sub had finish flaws and required a soldering job to get working the first time I would not classify it as a "pristine piece of audio engineering."