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Review 3 of 4
Price Paid:
$950.00
from Axiom online Summary:
Size, weight and finish (boston cherry) were are equivalent to what would be expected from a subwoofer of this price and design.
The EP350 integrates seamlessly with the other Axiom speaker in my config (M60s, QS8s, VP150) and once the crossover setting preferences were determined, the sub produced heavy bass sounds that were fairly tight for music and punchy when necessary for home theatre. Volume/gain is adjustable to the users preference. My walls and ceilings certainly rumbled with the EP350 and 2 floors up, my dogs were cowering from the thoughts of an oncoming thunderstorm. The EP350 definitely has a good deep range.
The best placement position always seemed to be up front next to the M60s although a phase switch on the back was helpful in attempting other placements of the sub around the room.
Unfortunately for a subwoofer in this price range, one would expect rather stellar performance even under trying conditions and this is where the EP350 fails. Popular dvds such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars Attack of the Clones (to mention just 2) may have over-rendered bass notes throughout the dvd but the nearly $1000 EP350 should be able to handle them, and it does not.
Port chuff was very evident and often constant when tested with explosions, drum banging or other typically deep rumbles with sound ranges from 20hz up to 55hz (approx.).
Note that the settings on this sub during these tests were 0 degree phase, 40% (or LESS) volume/gain.
Even with the gain set at the 20% level, port chuff was still evident in the LOTR dvd, Mines of Moria scene, goblin drum (as well as several other dvd movies). This constantly detracts from the sound of the movie and was very much a disappointment.
For everyday music use and about 80-85% of home theatre application the EP350 performs its duties superbly. However, at a cost of $1000 for the EP350, port chuff should not be an issue, unless of course the sub (or any sub) is really pushed hard and in this case, it didn't take much at all.
My equipment includes:
Onkyo DS797 a/v receiver
Panasonic dvd CV52
Ultralink 10awg standard cable
Toshiba 50HDX82 rptv
My ranking and reasoning for this product:
Value: 2 stars "little expensive" (i feel it is overpriced)
Overall rating: 4 stars "very good product" (i believe the sub still performs quite admirably and definitely shakes my listening room and beyond) Strengths:
Beautiful finish. Well designed box and driver.
Integrates nicely with music and most home theatre applications. Weaknesses:
Port chuff is common depending on the dvd, and to some limited extent, the sub gain settings.
Overpriced for its performance. Similar Products Used:
Sound Dynamics, Paradigm, Velodyne
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