Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Ideas on the noise I'm hearing from my new 500?

In reply to:

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Alan has always said to put the receiver on 0dB's and adjust the volume on the sub to reach your desired settings.

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That's just what Craig is saying to do. Enter your receiver's speaker setup menu, and set the subwoofer output to 0 dB. Then use the volume knob on the 500 to achieve a 75 dB reading on your meter. I ended up with the volume setting on the 500 set approximately midway between 5 and 6 o'clock.

And, remember that these settings are NOT etched in stone. Like you, I'm still in the evaluating and tweaking stage with the 500. At the moment, I actually have the 500 set to about 78 dB. It may, or may not stay there. The point is, don't be afraid to experiment a little. I also run my center about 2 dB hot. Begin with everything set to 75dB, but set your speakers so they sound good to YOU!

I agree with you on the center Jack. The pink noise test with meter, or the receiver built in setup mic, always puts my center about 2dB's below the mains. Heck, you can't even hear the voices in movies at that level. I always bump up the center 2-3 dB's above my 60's. I wonder if it has anything to do with being a 6ohm design versus and 8ohm, like my 60's.

I'll have to keep playing with the sub before I deside if there is an issue. I still think it may have something to do with being on concrete versus on pad/carpet.

You should hear no noise from the port. If it sounds like a "paperish", "metallic" like rattle, it should not do that. My EP500 sounded great, BUT HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. AXIOM Customer Service was exceptional as always and sent me a new one. I also initially had my sub at 9:00 and the volume on the receiver at -10. I moved it down to about 6-7 and run it -2 on the receiver which is still a bit "hot" and frightens my wife as well as my crotchety neigbor....:)

Call Axiom. They will take care of you.

Guys:

My EP500 was doing a vibration-type noise coming from the port. I am not sure is exactly what you described, but in my case, I did pulled the driver out and tighten all the screws I found inside (I dont remember as I did this months ago, but I think it was at least 3 wood screws that can be tightened a little more), checked the internal brace above the plastic port for vibrations, and the tighten the port screws, including the ones at the back of the sub (amp plate). That solved my vibration-type noise coming from the sub.

I live in an apartment, and yes, as you mention, the sidewall sometimes does vibrate, at very low frequencies and at a moderate volume. Positioning the sub and adjusting the levels help reduce the vibration but it does not disappear completely, at least in my room. Positioning was the main factor helping to reduce the vibration.

I run an ICBM with my EP500. I use it to fine tune the sub levels (among the other things the ICBM does for the x-overs), so I can run the sub around 7-8 o'clock and the preamp setting at -5dB. The ICBM subwoofer volume knob is around 9 o'clock. Actually those are very conservative levels because the neighbors in the apartment complex, if I could go louder I will!!!

Good heavens, is EVERYBODY having this problem with their EP500? Sounds like someone dropped the ball on this thing if that be the case. I only ask because with being ill, I have yet to really test my 500 out, and with my second EP500 arriving tomorrow, this is NOT giving me a very comfortable feeling. Just curious to know if everybody is having this problem or similar one with this sub?



Sutter

I did not hear that on either of the EP500s that I have heard.

Randy sorry to hear about the noise problem. I know it will be taken care of either by you or Axiom. At least now I know where to start at. Crossing my fingers and toes hoping that I will not have this problem. I am just a little concerned now that this has happened at least twice in such a short time.

I have beaten the snot out of a 500 and 3 600's with no noise at all. Axiom is starting to sell a lot of these subs - so yes, there will be more problems. Give them a couple months, and this will taper off.

Randy, what does the noise sound like. Can you describe it. Mine was like a distorted rattle comming from the port. It sounds like Axiom may have a problem with a batch of the EP500's.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've been working with Brent and Amie via email. They have given me a few things to check tonight, so I'll keep you posted.

NEW2, I would not call my issue a distorted sound, but everyone describes things differently. I basically sounds like a vibration in the port when it reaches certain pressure levels. My guess is that something is touching the port inside (wire from the driver) or maybe just something that needs slightly tightened.

I don't think Axiom has any bad batches. If you look at the percentage of subs going out with no issues, I'm sure it is around 99% or so. In my experience with Computers and AV equipment, it is most likely something very simple.

Randy