Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Hsu vs Axiom sub woofer

OK, now I'm a "hobbiest". Huh ?

Shouldn't it by "hobbyist" ?

I liked being a frequent flier and I want to go back.

Ahh...OK, so this is recently.

I don't sense that bias though about front firing subs for music and Hsu/SVS for HT. If you said sealed vs ported, then I would agree. Experts agree that all things being equal, downfiring vs frontfiring makes no difference due to the length of the soundwaves a sub produces.

Did you compare the the PSB and the Hsu? In Canada, what is the price difference between the 6i and STF-2....here, I think it is almost $200....in Canada I would think it is much closer.

Yes, this is all in the last couple of weeks.

Hsu STF-2 was 599 CDN, PSB 6i was 765 CDN. Roughly $130 US difference. Arguably the STF-2 is closer to the 5i in terms of driver and cabinet size although IIRC it goes deeper than 5i OR 6i.

I have to admit I don't understand why a down-firing sub would be inherently less responsive than a front-firing sub. It's hard to believe that a one foot difference in path length could make a difference with a 30-foot wavelength, I agree.

I could come up with some explanations if you stuck me on stage in front of a surly audience but I can't say I would really believe any of them

Sorry, the Hsu was 549 not 599 so more like $160 US difference. Might have been a mistake going with the PSB, not sure, but I'm pretty happy with it. It has a few features the STF-2 did not, like line level and high level outputs for main speakers.

http://www.hi-fidelity.com/DVDCases.htm

Hello rad sci guy,

In reply to:

---

I'm not looking for blow the walls down bass but I do want a rich sound that complements the highs and mids of a complete HT system.

---

Given your sentiments, check out this excellent review by chesseroo:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=HT&Number=56708&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1

Even though its the EP350 reviewed this should give you a good idea of what the EP125 can do in a smaller room. From chesseroo's description of the EP350 I'd say the EP125 will do exactly what you're looking for. All reviews I've read indicate it's an excellent sub that is very musical. If you want that gut wrenching HT experience then I'd give the soon to be released SVS a go. Getting it into Canada is a none issue, its just that you'll have to pay tax and brokerage fees ontop of the exchange and shipping. Duty shouldn't apply as its made in the US. I worked out the CND price and if I recall correctly it came out to about $650.00. This is about $100 CND more than the HSU STF2 purchased in Canada, but given the posted specs could well be worth it.

Good Luck, Jag

John, not a mistake at all. If you haven't read Tom Nousaine's sub reviews in the current S&V, note his analysis and lab test results . It tested best of the under $1,000 subs, slightly better than even the fine Outlaw LFM-1, said to be very similar to the STF-3.

Great link John. Nousaine had more courage than we did in pushing the max limits of the subs during his testing. Then again, he can probably afford it.

Did you notice Nousaine's subwoofer setup methods? His approach to setting up a crossover seems to ignore the THX guideline.

Uh oh. You know the gauntlet has been thrown when use someone's favorite source against them.

Hi Jag

Thanks for all the info in the link. I hadn't thought about the usage of the system (movies or music) but the more I thought about it the more I realize I'll probably have a 50/50 split between the two. I not into hearing pounding bass in my music but rather a more "musical" sound and It appears that many feel that the Axiom would provide such a sound. As for the SVS unfortunatey it's priced out of my range at the moment. The EP125 is at the limit of my price range and that's why I was considering the STF-1 instead of the STF-2 which is higher in price then the EP125.

I"m probably leaning toward the EP125 but I'll try and get out to a store that has the Hsu and listen to it before I purchase. I can always buy the Axiom and then if I don't like how it sounds return it in 30 days and go get the Hsu instead.

Personally I've found the Hsu subs to be the tightest bass I've ever heard from a sub.