empire vs. ED a5-350

[socwrkr]

I think i've exhausted this on avs forums and still haven't really gotten a good answer. I've had a difficult time deciding between these two subs and would like to finally make a decision. It will be primarly for HT with about 20 percent music use. My other speakers are def tech powered towers, center, and bpx rears. My room is about 12 x 22 x 8 with openings to an entrance way and a small dining area (I don't think this will affect it too much as it is next to the speakers and not in front of them). It comes down to teh ported vs. sealed debate a bit and the ED would be $120 less at the end of the day, however, I can afford the empire if it's thought to be that much better. Anyways, I would very grateful for any opinions on this.
Thanks.

 

[Mister House]

Epik all the way. Stop debating....... you already know the answer bro.

 

[socwrkr]

actually i'd been leaning towards the ED for a few reasons but mostly because it seems that many people with sealed subs find the need to use an eq which I don't want to get into and I'm not sure the empire would match the ed on the low end. that being said, all of the empire posts would make a buyer of anything else at this price point feel like a total idiot for not going for it... hard to tell though what is hype and what isn't. I think Epik and ED make great subs but I was sold on a ported sub up until the empire came out.

 

[Mister House]

Point well taken however, All subs should be EQ'ed ported, sealed or IB. There may be some more low-end out of the ED but there will be more output from the Empire. You are torn for the right reasons but you can always return your Empire if you just don't like it. Also I think you will be able to sell it faster then the ED if that becomes the case.

 

[chris357]

ok, i'm bias since i own the empire, but... the ED does not have balanced inputs, its only 1 15" driver, and it has a smaller amp.

thats just the uneducated observation of what I see right away.. also since I own the empire and use it everyday i've never been happier with a purchase like this.

 

[socwrkr]

Thank you to both of you for the input. I did consider the aspects that you guys discussed. As far as the amp rating on the ED, it's ported and therefore doesn't need the power that the sealed sub does, in fact ED's equivalent of a sealed offering has an 18" driver and a 1300w amp (for about the same price), but again, i took that out of consideration due to needing the eq to help it get lower than 22hz. Funny you brought that up because one of my other thoughts on the empire was that it doesn't have enough power to drive two subs in a sealed enclosure. All of that being said, it sounds like you guys are very impressed with the Empire and in the end thats what I want to hear more than anything. Thank you again for your time to help me out in my decision!

 

[chris357]

i think the epik amp goes up to 1200 watts depending on the demand.. like most amps it isnt running an even number all the time..

I like the idea of the balanced connection since i use a really long cable run to get the sub placed where I want and to have the length to play around with placement, and concealment after its set. also you can get xlr cables petty cheap on monoprice.

 

[Gov]

Epik says short term peak watts is 1500. Truely in the real world that means diddly squat That is nothing but a marketing spec.
The bottom line is the 600 watt amplifier spec is what counts.
BTW,
Get the EPIK!!

 

[chris357]

Epik says short term peak watts is 1500. Truely in the real world that means diddly squat That is nothing but a marketing spec.
The bottom line is the 600 watt amplifier spec is what counts.
BTW,
Get the EPIK!!

i built my life around diddly squat

 

[socwrkr]

so what you guys are basically saying is that I should go with ED...

thanks again for the input!

 

[chris357]

follow your heart

 

[Mister House]

so what you guys are basically saying is that I should go with ED...

thanks again for the input!

I know you were being funny when you said that but I would like to point out that Zero!!!! eD owners came out to this thread to tell you to buy something they purchased and in retrospect 3 Epik owners came to this thread to tell you to buy something they purchased and obviously love.

Bottom line is basically all ID put out great products that could amaze and satisfy most HT guys but I believe that Epik makes the subs that amaze, satisfy and also gives their owners that warm fuzzy feeling; and that is what keeps a product owner wanting to go tell their buddies "Hey man you gotta get one of these!"

Or in my case.... two! lol Rock On!

 

[socwrkr]

good point, i hadn't thought about it that way but your right.

 

[Warpdrv]

actually i'd been leaning towards the ED for a few reasons but mostly because it seems that many people with sealed subs find the need to use an eq which I don't want to get into

EQ'ing subs has nothing to do with sealed or ported....

EQ'ing has everything to do with adjusting the response of any subwoofer at the listening position in any given room. There is no perfect room and therefore there will be problems with response no matter where or what kind of sub is in there.

The room will interact with the sound waves coming from the sub and will sometimes effect the SQ depending on if there are dips and or peaks at various freq's.
Trying to balance or counteract out those dips and peaks is the reason for EQ.

 

[Mister House]

good point, i hadn't thought about it that way but your right.

Could you repeat that...... I don't really get to hear that too often lol Also if you have the time can you change it to "you're right" so it makes more sense to the ones that read gooder! lol

 

[Gov]

I believe that Epik makes the subs that amaze, satisfy and also gives their owners that warm fuzzy feeling; and that is what keeps a product owner wanting to go tell their buddies "Hey man you gotta get one of these!"

Not to mention loosen your back teeth

 

[Mister House]

Not to mention loosen your back teeth

I knew a girl that could do that without using her hands lol

 

[socwrkr]

good point, i hadn't thought about it that way but your right.

YOU'RE RIGHT

HAHA

I can't figure out how to edit on this forum.