Subwoofer & speaker Picks (budgeting 6-8k)

[Demonster]

I have been mulling over buying deveral different subwoofers and speakers. Any help or insight would be great. I am looking at two axiom EP600's but I am concerned about the size of these units and the wife approval. I am also looking at one of JL audios fathom F112, or two of the new Emotive DRS dual sub systems (the secnd unit could possibly cover the second room with a second system).

I have two room to fill at some point and I havent decided which one to do first; one is 8799cuft room with vaulted cielings to 19 ft and the second is 6800 cuft with 14 vaulted ceilings. I am looking pretty seriosly at the axiom speakers for 7.1 surround (other suggestions here would be great budgeting 4-5k depending on the Sub budget. I am using the new denon 3808CI and also have an old denon 3802 in the second room.

Here is the skinny:
on the list to be approved by the wife
4-axiom M80's
2-axioms VP150's
4 QS-8's
About $4k

And a subwoofer(s)? After reading the reviews and spending countless hours on the web looking for better ideas and or deals on speakers and subs I havent found em - maybe you have. Any insight would be great as I like the idea of the Emotivas subs with the seperate amps but I cant find info on them.

 

[mike c]

skip the axiom subs ... they're obsolete and overpriced

look at :
www.svsound.com (with your budget, dual PB13 Ultras will be spectacular like you've never heard, with great finishes available)
www.hsuresearch.com (beaten with the ugly stick, but great performers)
www.edesignaudio.com (long wait time, but ultra cheap, but was also beaten with the ugly stick)

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

www.hsuresearch.com (beaten with the ugly stick, but great performers)

HA HA HA! Awesome.

 

[gliz]

I agree with mike c I have an hsu VTF2 mk3. If you have that kinda budget look at the SVS PB12-NSD. get 2! That is what I wanted but there were out of stock when I had the cash (had to spend it before the wife did LOL) but the rest that you picked out asioms, are GREAT

 

[Demonster]

I agree with mike c I have an hsu VTF2 mk3. If you have that kinda budget look at the SVS PB12-NSD. get 2! That is what I wanted but there were out of stock when I had the cash (had to spend it before the wife did LOL) but the rest that you picked out asioms, are GREAT

Thanks to you both for the insight.

What I am looking for is the movie soundtrack that knocks the cups out of the cupboard downstairs with the music side taken care of as well. That is why I looked at the fathom f112. DO you guys think two of these will get-er-done like I think the fathom would?

And buddy I am trying to beat my wife to the bank on this one as well. I think BB King said it best - "I paid the dues to make the rules." or something like that. My wife hasn't heard it. . . .

 

[mike c]

believe me when i say that the PB13 Ultra (or two of them - cheaper than two EP600's) will be knocking cups out of your neighbors house.

somehow im doubting a sealed sub like the F112 is gonna match the brute output of ported subs.

i've tried the pair of PB13's in my 4k room - in my concrete house - and it rocks stuff far far away.

 

[jostenmeat]

I'll never know as much about subs as the sub-nut better known as mike c. It appears he is also ribbit in this link. Here's a pic of the F113s sitting on top of the PB13s. Scroll to post 3655:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=736243&page=122

Of course, F112s are discernably smaller than F113s. If you're fine with the larger size of PB13s, you'll save a lot of money most likely. I'd hope anyways.

FWIW, the F113s not only have more power than F112s, but they are also more efficient... if brute force was your thing, factored with a modest size. OTOH, the F112s have better linearity further up FR for easier combinations with a variety of bookshelves. GL.

 

[mike c]

jostenmeat is right. forgive me, i've never heard any of the JL subs ... im wishing to be surprised one day with the output of the JL subs. i'm sure the JL's have spectacular output for their size, maybe close enough to the PB13's that it shouldn't matter. it's all about your budget and size restrictions.

i just recommended the PB13's straight away because those are WAY smaller than the EP600's (and cheaper too)

anyway, yup, i took the name ribbit at avs because all variations of mike c was taken, and during the time I signed up there were too many sub wars that i really had no intention of staying.

the link/pic jostenmeant posted was from a sub-shootout at RMK's place where I believe the conclusion was: SQ winner=JL F113 ; Output/HT winner=PB13

 

[AVRat]

Since you were dissatisfied with the DTs, have you had a chance to audition any other speakers?

 

[Midcow2]

Are you open to anything other than Axiom M80s ?

Def Tech : BP10Bs ($599 each) or BP7006 ($649 each)

AV123: Rockets RS760 ($1,199 per pair)

B & W: 683 $1200-$1400 per pair

Have you audtioned the M80s ? Have you audtioned any other speakers?

 

[Gimpy Ric]

believe me when i say that the PB13 Ultra (or two of them - cheaper than two EP600's) will be knocking cups out of your neighbors house.

somehow im doubting a sealed sub like the F112 is gonna match the brute output of ported subs.

i've tried the pair of PB13's in my 4k room - in my concrete house - and it rocks stuff far far away.

Holy Cow Mike! I've got ONE SVS PB13-Ultra on order, but your collection kicks butt! For those that don't know, the PB13 Ultras are the two stacked on the left:

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb13ultra.cfm

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

Nice budget.
Definately demo several speaker options in your price range before spending that kind of cash. Why would you need two centers with the Axiom speakers? Do you you have front projection or other unique requirements?

Also check out the new MFW-15 subs from AV123. You can get two for $1k. The Emotiva sub system should be good, but they haven't started production yet.

 

[Bugbitten]

Nice budget.
Also check out the new MFW-15 subs from AV123. You can get two for $1k.

Better yet - get 4 for the price of 1 EP600.

 

[speakerman39]

Better yet - get 4 for the price of 1 EP600.

Given the size of the op's room this is a very good suggestion Doug. Just think (4) MFW-15's would just have to be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

 

[Demonster]

Sorry just suscribed to my own thread . . .

Since you were dissatisfied with the DTs, have you had a chance to audition any other speakers?

Nope - I found a revel dealer; among other that I will be visiting when he gets back from an install in Palm SPrings.


Midcow2

Are you open to anything other than Axiom M80s ?

Yeap I have ruled the axioms out based upon reading till 3AM for the last week on all these forums - except this one. I am looking at a couple of online retailers - SVS and AV123 - RBH is in consideration - but I feel like it is necessary to do all the same homework on the online ones before I pull the trigger.








Speaker options

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jcPanny
Nice budget.
Definately demo several speaker options in your price range before spending that kind of cash. Why would you need two centers with the Axiom speakers? Do you you have front projection or other unique requirements?

Also check out the new MFW-15 subs from AV123. You can get two for $1k. The Emotiva sub system should be good, but they haven't started production yet.

Thanks - I got the subs worked out based upon this link that I think mike posted somehere. I am getting 2-3 of the epic castles (they fit the decor - otherwise it would be two conquests - I may just order those and tell the wife they are the castles - should have asked forgiveness rather than permission.

http://www.tweakcityaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11


Bugbitten
"It is far better to get the components YOU like best and the equipment YOU prefer THAN to get what "most others" are getting thus only YOU truly know what YOU prefer.

Well said and one that I have heard over and over. Thanks. I am looking at driving 350 miles to audition speakers.

The ones I am looking at now online are Rockets and MTS-01 still doing research though. any of you guys have any experience with these?

 

[jamie2112]

Def Tech : BP10Bs ($599 each) or BP7006 ($649 each)

AV123: Rockets RS760 ($1,199 per pair)

B & W: 683 $1200-$1400 per pair

Have you audtioned the M80s ? Have you audtioned any other speakers?

The B&Ws sound freakin great.......and they hold their value pretty well.

 

[Bugbitten]

Demonster,

In that large room, maybe consider AV123's LS6 or LS9.

Might be a bit more that your budget, but B-stock might help a little.

 

[mnnc]

For less than 4k I would hop in a rental van, drive, and purchase a set of RBH t2 setup that are for sell somewhere on the web.

 

[3db]

For 6k to 8K of a budget, I would look at HSU, Outlaw, and SVS subs. For speakers, I would look at

mains
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-Two

center
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-Two-C


surrounds

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-S-Surround
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-Two-B

 

[Midcow2]

Def Techs also sound great!

The B&Ws sound freakin great.......and they hold their value pretty well.

I listed the Def Techs first because that was my 1rst choce. Def Techs sound brilllant over full sound spectrum and also hold their values well. The AV123 Rockets look nice with wood veneer and the B & W you are right also sound freaking great, all three choices do !!!!!