OK. I have had the A7S-450 in my theater for a week or so now and I thought I'd put down some impressions and differences between this eD sub and the MFW-15 (duals)
The MFW's are excellent subs (when working properly) as many people already know. They are deep, loud, and although a little sloppy at times due to the ported design and cheap driver an all around good sub for home theater.
The one thing I was never really sure about (and now I am) was their performance for music. Upon initial review I felt they were very articulate for music but as time has gone on they have become a little more sloppy (maybe from a couple years of play) and can not even compare to the eD sealed design.
The eD A7S-450 is without a doubt as powerful if not more so than a pair of MFW-15's. That's not to criticize the MFW's at all, and certainly with a bigger driver and a HUGE 1300 watt amplifier it is what I expected. What I was very suprised at is how quick the eD sub actually is. This is my first experience with a sealed sub and I have to say I think i'm sold on that design.
While watching WAR OF THE WORLDS last night I was absolutely blown away at not only how powerful the eD sub is, but how deep it reaches. I was led to believe that a sealed sub would not get as deep, but that is definitely NOT TRUE. The eD sub reaches deeper, with more power and impact by far than the MFW's.
I am sitting about 20 feet away from my subs in a VERY large room, and with the MFW's the house shakes and the bass is very good, but with the eD sub the back of my chair actually flaps! My buddy was over and said that he felt as if the couch was actually moving across the floor...and not just vibrating the way it does with the MFW's.
The impact of the bass punch is also unbelievable and I'm assuming again this is due to the sealed design and the very powerful amp being used in this unit. Explosions, gun fire etc provide a real punch to the chest feeling which I'm SURE would be increased 10 fold if I were in a better room (and smaller) but even as it is with 16ft ceilings and a room opening up to my upper floor kitchen I still feel like I'm getting kicked in the chest.
Now...I have had several subs in my house, Def Tech's, Paradigms, HSU, JBL, MFW's etc....and by far this A7S-450 is the most powerful, musical sub I have ever had. I sort of expected less since the amp is not a servo design, but I now know that it's not needed. I think it might be better still if it was, but it's certainly not necessary.
I have spent some time with a Paradigm Servo 15 v2 and this eD is by far a better sub....for both impact, depth, and articulation.
I'll be spending a lot more time listening to the eD with music, but playing some Pink Floyd, classical, rock, and techno/house/rap I have to say this sub can pretty much handle everything you throw at it.
I really thought I'd hate the finish (truck bed liner paint) but....it's actually not that bad. It is in NO WAY as beautiful as the MFW's I have (sadly). It's more utilitarian looking. I have not seen their new finishes offered by eD, but they must be better than this finish on mine.
I would say that if eD can get their subs to be better looking (I would suggest a piano black finish) at the same price of their base price of now $850.00 shipping included they would have the all around winner in the mid level sub for home theater. And I ONLY say "mid level" due to the excellent price, and NOT due to it's performance. For performance I'd have to give it one of the highest ratings.
What I would really like to do next is compare a "turbo" MFW-15 vs the A7S-450. I think that would be very interesting, and it might be doable if I can ever get over to Kevin's place to compare.
I'll look into getting an spl meter to measure the differences between the dual MFWs and the eD sub possibly later this weekend...but not sure because I'm wrapped up in home renovations.
Anyways, I am writing this mini review as requested by some who have been contemplating the eD subs. I would not hesitate to try one out after hearing this. I'd really like to give the A7 450 ported version a try.
The only criticism I have regarding the eD sub again is that the finish is very basic and utilitarian... If they can overcome that with some nicer finishes at the same price (or maybe only $50-$100 more) I think they will not be able to be beaten by anyone else. As it stands now with the "matt finish" it is an incredible sub performance wise..but...it's the kinda sub that for me at least I'd rather hide than show off. Just my .02
The only other thing I'm not super impressed with is the grill. It doesn't fit on the posts very tightly and I'm thinking it might fall off, although that hasn't happened yet.
The MFW's are excellent subs (when working properly) as many people already know. They are deep, loud, and although a little sloppy at times due to the ported design and cheap driver an all around good sub for home theater.
The one thing I was never really sure about (and now I am) was their performance for music. Upon initial review I felt they were very articulate for music but as time has gone on they have become a little more sloppy (maybe from a couple years of play) and can not even compare to the eD sealed design.
The eD A7S-450 is without a doubt as powerful if not more so than a pair of MFW-15's. That's not to criticize the MFW's at all, and certainly with a bigger driver and a HUGE 1300 watt amplifier it is what I expected. What I was very suprised at is how quick the eD sub actually is. This is my first experience with a sealed sub and I have to say I think i'm sold on that design.
While watching WAR OF THE WORLDS last night I was absolutely blown away at not only how powerful the eD sub is, but how deep it reaches. I was led to believe that a sealed sub would not get as deep, but that is definitely NOT TRUE. The eD sub reaches deeper, with more power and impact by far than the MFW's.
I am sitting about 20 feet away from my subs in a VERY large room, and with the MFW's the house shakes and the bass is very good, but with the eD sub the back of my chair actually flaps! My buddy was over and said that he felt as if the couch was actually moving across the floor...and not just vibrating the way it does with the MFW's.
The impact of the bass punch is also unbelievable and I'm assuming again this is due to the sealed design and the very powerful amp being used in this unit. Explosions, gun fire etc provide a real punch to the chest feeling which I'm SURE would be increased 10 fold if I were in a better room (and smaller) but even as it is with 16ft ceilings and a room opening up to my upper floor kitchen I still feel like I'm getting kicked in the chest.
Now...I have had several subs in my house, Def Tech's, Paradigms, HSU, JBL, MFW's etc....and by far this A7S-450 is the most powerful, musical sub I have ever had. I sort of expected less since the amp is not a servo design, but I now know that it's not needed. I think it might be better still if it was, but it's certainly not necessary.
I have spent some time with a Paradigm Servo 15 v2 and this eD is by far a better sub....for both impact, depth, and articulation.
I'll be spending a lot more time listening to the eD with music, but playing some Pink Floyd, classical, rock, and techno/house/rap I have to say this sub can pretty much handle everything you throw at it.
I really thought I'd hate the finish (truck bed liner paint) but....it's actually not that bad. It is in NO WAY as beautiful as the MFW's I have (sadly). It's more utilitarian looking. I have not seen their new finishes offered by eD, but they must be better than this finish on mine.
I would say that if eD can get their subs to be better looking (I would suggest a piano black finish) at the same price of their base price of now $850.00 shipping included they would have the all around winner in the mid level sub for home theater. And I ONLY say "mid level" due to the excellent price, and NOT due to it's performance. For performance I'd have to give it one of the highest ratings.
What I would really like to do next is compare a "turbo" MFW-15 vs the A7S-450. I think that would be very interesting, and it might be doable if I can ever get over to Kevin's place to compare.
I'll look into getting an spl meter to measure the differences between the dual MFWs and the eD sub possibly later this weekend...but not sure because I'm wrapped up in home renovations.
Anyways, I am writing this mini review as requested by some who have been contemplating the eD subs. I would not hesitate to try one out after hearing this. I'd really like to give the A7 450 ported version a try.
The only criticism I have regarding the eD sub again is that the finish is very basic and utilitarian... If they can overcome that with some nicer finishes at the same price (or maybe only $50-$100 more) I think they will not be able to be beaten by anyone else. As it stands now with the "matt finish" it is an incredible sub performance wise..but...it's the kinda sub that for me at least I'd rather hide than show off. Just my .02
The only other thing I'm not super impressed with is the grill. It doesn't fit on the posts very tightly and I'm thinking it might fall off, although that hasn't happened yet.
