Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions EP500v2 advice, repair/replacement options?

Haha, I don't have room for QS10's, but if I have to choose a component to upgrade in my system it would be the sub anyway!
Actually, I am still quite happy with my QS8's - maybe because I haven't heard the QS10's?
Out of curiosity, what did you not like about the QS8's? Of course they are small and are not 'full range' speakers, however I didn't think there was much deeper content in surrounds anyway, so I was never sure there'd be much of a diff between QS8s and QS10s. I'm interested to know what your experience was.

So now I'll have to decide between the amp replacement for my existing EP500 or an upgrade to a current EP500/600 or 800. Thanks to Axiom (Andrew F) for helping out with support so far, answering questions and providing options.

The tweeters on the QS8v2 broke up and distorted. Also the sound was puny. The QS10s have far more presence and clarity. Even so, I have subs on my surrounds. You'd be surprised how much content there is.

Thanks for the insights Mojo - always appreciate your opinions.

Editorial addition - Does anyone have experience on the wired vs wireless subs from Axiom? Wireless wasn't an option last time I was buying from Axiom. Now I see I could order a wireless EP800 with transmitter for cheaper than a standard wired version. Why is the wireless cheaper? How reliable is the wireless connection? Open to thoughts on pros and cons, but same performance for cheaper with easier placement options from wireless seems like a no brainer to me - I feel like I am missing something!

I can't speak on the wireless vs wired but I sent back my 500 for the 600. Granted my room is big but I couldn't hardly tell the 500 was there. The 600 was a massive increase in sound parked in the same location as the 500. I'm adding a second 600 in the near future as we are finally putting our theater room back together.

Do not buy wireless.

Did you hear me? DO NOT BUY WIRELESS!

As for 500 over 600, it's not so much about sound pressure as it is about low frequency extension. There is a massive difference between 500 and 600/800 in this respect. You will hear music with the 600/800 like never before. Yes, even in a smallish room.

Funny, I have a 500 upstairs in the family room and always thought it more than adequate for the room (18x18x9). Have 4 600’s in the HT and feel that 4 500’s would have been almost as good. The 500 would certainly have been easier to place. The big difference between the two is that the 600 goes a few Hz lower (in freq that you feel rather than hear).

I always thought my EP500 was also great, but it always annoyed me that it seemed to have a brick wall filter at 19 Hz instead of a roll off below that. Otherwise it has always been great and shook my little TV room.

Assuming I go the upgrade route I'll just go for a horizontal 800. It'll probably be another 10+ years before I upgrade the sub, so might as well not leave anything on the table. ;-)
The other option would be the SB16 Ultra from SVS, but EP800 should be more cost effective with discounts on the upgrade path.

I still don't get why wireless is cheaper than the standard version, but I hear ya Mojo, I always hardwire when possible, but it just seems like a win-win on wireless for flexibility and cost. I assume you say no wireless for connection stability? Any other issues I may not be thinking of?

I hear texture and growling with the 600 and 800 that I can't hear with the 500. And infrasonics are a bonus of course.

Stability and latency are the wireless issues.

Wireless is cheaper because less hardware is required (no jacks and signal conditioning).

I've been really bothered since I found out Rich has 4xEP600. I only have two! So I'm upgrading my four 500s and two 600s to 800s. I'll upgrade my 800 once Axiom introduces the 1600.