View Full Version : I made the jump :)


ncage
02-11-08, 12:34 PM
Let me say i currently have a Mirage S12 that, while it is ok, i have not been that impressed with. Before i had the Mirage i had a Paradigm PS-1200 that just Worked for home theater. I know people will come in an say its Muddy/Boomy/Distroted/Ect but i'm sorry people it still worked nicely for home theater. The amount of bass was much greater than the S12. Now the S12 bass is much cleaner with less coloration and integrates into the speakers better but the amount of HomeTheater slam is just not there. Anyways, i digress.

Let me say HomeTheater is 99% of push here. I listen to radio somtimes and listen to CDs maybe once in awhile but its not really what in concerned about. If it was just for music the S12 probably would have just been fine.

1I was in search of something better. At i saw that the PB12-Plus/2 was on clearance. I almost jumped that night but i came here and did research and found out there were definitely cheaper/better choices. I went mainly off of craigsub list. I know people will say the list is not perfect or whatever but people for those of us that order these subs mailorder and never get a chance to hear the subs before we buy; this list is a godsend. It at least is a somewhat scientific measure for you to make an informed decision on. Everyone has their own opinions but its much easier choosing from a list than from individual people make comments here and there about each sub. I really like how he splits the score out between HomeTheater/Music. So the list was pretty much what i went off of.

At first epik subs are what jumped out at me. I did some research and though either a castle/tower is probably what i would end up with. The value/price performance of these subs impressed me. What kind of worried me a little was the QA...im sure its not that bad but there were a lot of people missing cables or some that has crossed wires. This makes you start to wonder of maybe what mistakes could have been made internally to the speakers. Like i've said i'm sure its not that bad and it seems like chad is a good person it just had me a little concerned. Also i was going to be charged a little more because i live in IL and would be charged tax. After this research is where i sat since about the beginning of Jan.

Last night i started doing some more research. I primarily looked at AV123 MFW-15 and ED A5-350. After the research i reconsider these two to be among the best in the price/performance category. They are close to the same price. I think if i remember after shipping they are about $10 difference assuming you choose the 500w amp for the A5-350.
Here are the pros and cons of each sub:

AV123 MFW-15
Pros:
1) slightly cheaper although after shipping was that much different
2) I preferred the port design
3) Ive heard more and trust AV123. They make some pretty high end stuff (rocket speakers).
4) They clearly state a 30 day no back guaruantee on their website. Even though if i would have to return it it would be a PAIN!!!!!
5) It seems like the fit/finish of these subs are Top notch
6) Seems like the sub designer is very well known.
7 Better craigsub list scores especially for HT.

Cons:
1) No free shipping :) but even after shipping is slightly cheaper than eD.
2) No choice of amp :(. It would be really nice if they had this option like eD.
3) HUGE lead times :(. I don't know what the lead times are for the eD subwoofers but its april for this one.

eD A5-350
Pros:
1) Maybe less lead time? I don't know they don't say on the site.
2) Option of which amp you want
3) Free Shipping

Cons:
1) No 30 day no question ask return policy? I searched a little and i didn't see anything.
2) Slightly lower craigsub score (though still very good)
3) Designer/Company slightly less known to me

Well there it is. I think you can tell by my list what option i went with. The MFW-15. I think both of them are great subs but, for me, the MFW-15 won out. I ordered the black satin option. Now with that said the only REALLY REALLY bad thing is i have to wait until april for my sub :(. Its going to be a REALLY REALLY long wait :(. I think for the price the MFW-15 was better option for me than epik. Its $400 cheaper and still very very close to the score of the castle sub. It seems like steal for $600. I have just recently replaced all my HT speakers also. Went from paradigm to Ascend Acoustics.

I am hoping this sub will be enough to fill my space (which it should because a PS-1200 was enough). My space is very difficult for home theater. My house is about 1100-1200 square feet. The kitchen/dining area/family room are combined. The dimension of the area is 18 x 27 x 8 which opens to a small hallway leading to the front door and a small hallway leading to the 2 bedrooms and bathroom. There is also a small 1/2 wall leading to the basement (that was included in my measurement for simplicity). Well there you have it everyone. Hopefully once i get the sub i will be in rumble heaven.

Ncage

tkdee
02-11-08, 01:17 PM
Free shipping is a con for the eD sub?

The lead times for their stuff has been historically about 6 weeks. I ordered my A3-300 5 weeks ago and it's still awaiting woodshop. Aside from some units failing (which seem to be remedied by the company) I've only heard good things about eD subs and I'm looking forward to getting mine.

For context your place sounds like a slightly larger version of my apartment (~950 sq feet) with my room being opening up similarly to yours is about 15x15x8. They said the A3-300 was more than I needed.

ncage
02-11-08, 01:29 PM
Free shipping is a con for the eD sub?

The lead times for their stuff has been historically about 6 weeks. I ordered my A3-300 5 weeks ago and it's still awaiting woodshop. Aside from some units failing (which seem to be remedied by the company) I've only heard good things about eD subs and I'm looking forward to getting mine.

For context your place sounds like a slightly larger version of my apartment (~950 sq feet) with my room being opening up similarly to yours is about 15x15x8. They said the A3-300 was more than I needed.

It was a typo. I fixed it. thanks

David James
02-11-08, 01:43 PM
There is no such thing as free shipping. I don't know why it would be included in your list unless you were close enough to one or the other to avoid shipping charges.

I'm lucky to live 5 minutes from av123 so I did get free shipping :). FWIW, I love the MFW-15.

sivadselim
02-11-08, 06:52 PM
There is no such thing as free shipping.I agree. There is no "free lunch".

Even if a manufacturer offers free shipping, and although they may have a fixed, all-inclusive contract with a particular shipper that includes all their shipping charges, the shipping costs are still "rolled into" the retail cost of the manufacturer's product.

Likewise, when a manufacturer DOES charge shipping fees, because the manufacturer often DOES have a fixed, all-inclusive contract with a particular shipper, the shipping charges they are asking may actually be higher than the "real" shipping cost is for that manufacturer.

ncage
02-11-08, 09:30 PM
Yes i agree with both of you on free shipping. Thats why i kind of stated that even after free shipping both of them were neck & neck in terms of price.

rickneuropa
02-11-08, 10:35 PM
And for clearity, eD does have a 30 day money back trial. They've been in the sub buisiness for years...granted the auto sub for most of it, but still all about the quality sound of subs!

mather
02-11-08, 10:55 PM
Ncage, come on by the AV123 thread. You'll love your MFW.

ncage
02-12-08, 08:56 PM
Ncage, come on by the AV123 thread. You'll love your MFW.



Thanks mather for the invitation...i just did that :)

sivadselim
02-13-08, 12:17 AM
You'll love your MFW.If you can get one. :rolleyes:

ncage
02-13-08, 01:44 PM
If you can get one. :rolleyes:

Well i know its going to be one a heck of a wait but i'll have the weather the storm because i'm not changing my order :). I talked to eD just because i was curious and they told me it would be 6-8 week wait for them too. So either way i have to wait a couple of months.

Ncage

sivadselim
02-13-08, 04:09 PM
Well i know its going to be one a heck of a wait but i'll have the weather the storm because i'm not changing my order :). I talked to eD just because i was curious and they told me it would be 6-8 week wait for them too. So either way i have to wait a couple of months.
Good Luck. If you wouldn't mind, please come back and post in this thread when you get it. Thanks. ;)

mather
02-13-08, 05:27 PM
Just think, there is a positive to waiting, by the time people get their subs, Epik, eD, AV123, or wherever else there is a long leadtime, you won't have to post pics as everyone before you have done so already. :)

SUPERMANROB
02-14-08, 01:32 PM
Did you ever consider the Epik Knight in this?The Knight is closer in price the the 350 and MFW-15. Just curious since I have it down to the A5-350 and the Knight

hdmi4ever
06-06-08, 11:30 AM
Ncage, did you get your MFW-15 yet? If yes, what are your impressions? I'm in a similar situation, I have the Mirage S12 and am considering an upgrade to the MFW-15.