Can I just say that I had my heart set on an SVS cylinder when planning my HT. I mean, it was the first thing I was SURE of and I never wavered over the 2+ years of planning. I even had my wife sold on the water cooler look. Then, when I finally got the OK to order everything, I got on the phone with Axiom. Every time I talked to someone – and I do mean EVERY TIME – they talked me down off of the speakers I wanted to buy. Had my heart set of the m60’s, Alan Lofft told me that in my room, I wouldn’t hear a difference between the 60’s ($900) and the 22’s ($440) and a sub. Can’t argue with that logic. Then the center moved to the 100 from the 150 ($240 rather than $385), the rear surrounds to the q4’s (another $100 savings) – all with the same logic – there won’t be a sonic difference.
When you meet or read posts from Axiomites that are absolutely rabid about their speakers – this is why. Never, and I do mean NEVER, have I dealt with a company that had as high business ethics as Axiom. Who ever heard of a company trying to sell you less because you don’t need it? Mostly, they are either trying to sell you as much as possible or they would keep their mouths shut and let you over-purchase – hey, the customer is always right – right?
Well, after doing the math and considering Axiom’s return policy I figured that any company that was treating me this well deserved my business. On the spur of the moment (I know, an Audioholic’s sin!) I decided to get the ep500 and give it a chance – I could always send it back and get the SVS if I didn’t like it. I just didn’t give them a chance to talk me down because I wanted big bass and low extension.
My point – I’ve loved my ep500 but I’ve always had this little tinge of regret thinking that I was missing something by skipping the SVS. I’m sure the SVS is a good product but after reading this review (and Gene, let me tell you, it was freaky how you had some of the exact same experiences as me, 60hz buzz, moving the thing, placement…it was like I wrote the review – except all that measurement stuff
), all my doubts are displaced. I encourage anyone looking for a sub in this price range to give the ep500 a hard look.
