Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater EP500 vs EP600

Other than a slightly lower frequency response what is the major difference between the two subs?

It's not slightly lower frequency response. The 600 goes as low as the 800 - 12Hz in room. The Axiom website is not updated to reflect this. I am looking at upgrading my dual 500s flanking my actives. The 500 is indeed very good though.

i have the 500 on order and I'm going to test in my room but I may upgrade to the 600 if it is a big enough difference. And Mojo what is the LFR 1500 you have coming on your signature? Is Axiom working on a new active?

I'm sure they are working on a new active. Maybe though they won't release it for another 5 years until they've deployed enough of the LFR1100.

I'd like to see more drivers on the outboard side for more dispersion. So I've dubbed it the LFR1500 for two more tweeters and two more mid-woofers. Of course I'm solutioning and my solution may be wrong. They'd have to make significant cabinet changes to make that happen - it's not "just" trying to integrate the new drivers into the target response. So they'd have to do new CFD modelling and likely iterate their acoustical modeling to an ideal solution. A new DSP box would also be needed. We could lose Ian in the process because integrating 4 more drivers into an 11-driver, 4-spincter system could prove to be too much for his brain processing capacity and end up blowing brain synapses.

How will you know if the 600 offers a significant difference in your room compared to the 500?

You may be better off with 2 500's, verse one 600. It depends on your room.

I have two 500's in my HT, and prefer this over a single 600. But - my 600 is an older version that is a ported model, where the 500s are sealed. Sealed subs have a very different sound than ported. I kinda prefer the ported 600 over the sealed 500's for music.

What Michael says about two vs. one is true if you care to have good bass at more than just your MLP or if you just can't position a single sub to get good response.

Recognize however that any number of 500s cannot go as low as a single 600.

I had the 600v2 with the gaping maw of a port. I just could not stand it. It's possible that it's OK in other rooms than mine.

I will see how it sounds and fills the room mainly at my MLP. If it's lacking in lower frequencies I will step up to the 600 or possibly 2x600s if I also need more sound volume. I have been thinking over the actives but my wife may commit homicide if I start spending what I would like to to build the HT so I may have to compromise a little with what I get.

I've been considering upgrading my twin 350s to 500s

I'll tell you right now a single 500 won't do it for you. Neither will duals. You have a monster space to pressurize.

You will love the bass from the sealed Axiom subs though. I do like how you are approaching the problem. It will give you an opportunity to learn and appreciate what you will grow into.

Stick with the Paradigm towers, get a 160v4, QS10v4 and a 500. Forget the 180 - save some money.

That's how I started upgrading my M80v2 system. Once I got the sealed sub and ditched the 600v2, I witnessed how good Axiom had become so I had to try the 160v4 and ditch my 150v2. Andrew did such an awesome job on the 160v4, I knew I had to get rid of my QS8v2 and upgrade to QS10HP. Those were so awesome and the whole thing was so addictive I got M3, M2, M2OW, M50, M100, active LFR1100 and two 500s. LOL!

The difference between the 500 and 600 is more felt then heard. I have a 500 in the upstairs HT and it’s plenty for that 18x18 space. Most content just does not drop low enough to hit below the 500’s 18Hz ... There is another advantage to the 500, it’s low enough to 1) be hidden next to or behind a couch and 2) low enough not to block the screen if in front.

For the felt part I’ve experimented with a Clark synthesis platinum transducer attached to the underside of the couch. Talk about amping up the experience ... it puts explosions, rockets, and even the whoop,whoop of a chopper Into the jump out of you seat realm. You’ll feel that 16hz organ fundamental..

Like everyone else I’d go with 2 500s over a 600 any day for room smoothing. When designing the main HT Ian convinced me to go with 4 600s over 2 800 for that very reason. Same frequency response, better room acoustics, with only a 3db SPL hit. Balancing the levels with the LFRs puts the sub gain knob below the half way mark. No problem filling the rooms 16x21x10 space. Now, like Mojo said, your rooom may require more SPLs