SHOOTOUT! Epik Empire vs HSU VTF-15H vs CHT CS18.1 vs Rythmik FV15 vs eD A7s-450 - Page 42

I just got Dual MFW-15's used for $400 and they are rocking my house. How would you compare these to the reviewed subs? They far exceed my previous bass experiences. I may be selling 1 as the output is a bit overwhelming... we'll see.

Sabaspeed521,

I think Desetdome has some dual opposed MFW-15 boxes that placed the best among the non uber expensive sub in the 2012 blind subwoofer shootout linked in my signature. He recently built an infinite baffle system and is trying to sell the MFW-15's that we listened to at our meet with their twin pair as well ( a total of four cabs, and eight drivers). They placed 5th overall behind the JTR (3 different sub systems) and Seaton Submersive HP pair, but ahead of the HSU VTF-15H and the CHT 18.1SS --- so that answer is that a properly designed MFW-15 dual opposed enclosure preforms stronger than HSU or CHT combination. This was afterall four drivers vs. two at our meet - so this should be somewhat expected.
As to being too loud - turn them down. They can be EQ'ed very nice, and should blend in very well. The MFW-15 is sort of a low priced legend around these parts. It's a decent driver cheap. With the setup procedures we used at our meet they were found to have the flattest frequency response. They were the only sub pair driven off a single subwoofer input because the modified Dayton amp only had a single channnel which really helped their case.. Audyssey Multi EQ XT with Sub EQ seemed to like that better than dual subs run off two seperate inputs.
Edited by Archaea - 6/20/12 at 8:20am

Wow. Deja vu. I read this comment on my smartphone and had to continue to scroll to the left to be sure it wasn't my post. There are a couple of minor differences though. Days after receiving my eD A3-300 my cat rubbed against it and broke the plastics off the speaker grill, and mine actually worked for about 6 months before the first amp blew. The second one went bad very shortly thereafter, it took several months to get a replacement. I just shipped off my third defective amp, let's see how this goes. Oh, and I've also had to replace a driver that was blown due to one of the faulty amps.

Having struggled with little bass in the past 3 years I've been doing my research for a replacement. With a large room (5500cu/ft) and a need for both HT and music applications once I absorbed all there was to learn my choice was clear, I've ordered a Rythmik FV15HP. I'd like to have gone with sealed but it became apparent that at least two powerful sealed subs would be necessary and I have very few placement options.

Thanks much to the shootout participants and reviewers, and others who have contributed to this thread. It was extremely helpful.

Actually you guys should consider yourselves lucky when it comes to eD's reliability issues. My brother has an eD A5s-325 that is on his FIFTH, maybe SIXTH amp? I know it pisses him off to have to keep dealing with it, but he never says anything because eD keeps replacing them even though it's outside of warranty now. But for as many amps as he's gone thru and all the frustration and inconvenience it causes I feel they should have done more than just replace amps for him. They should've stopped using those amps a long time ago. I think the most frustrating part for everyone is the extreme state of denial eD is in.

But nethawk - congrats on the Rythmik FV15HP! That is one amazing sub, you will not believe the difference in SQ could be so great once you hear it. And output? Buy some extra socks, the ones you have are about to get blowed up.

Anywho, I'm so glad to see our thread is still proving valuable to people. I took some time and read thru the first page again and was reminded of just how much work we put into it. So many weekends testing over and over, and many of my weeknights editing, processing and triple-checking our notes and measurements. You can't do anything worthwhile in one day, that's for sure! Thanks again to everyone for being so kind as to let us know our hard work is appreciated.

Indeed. If any of you finds yourselves in central Virginia I owe you much more than a beer!

Below90hz,

I currently have a Klipsch RW-12D. I'm considering either the Empire or the VTF-15H. Which do you prefer for movies? Would it be a huge improvement over my RW12D?
Edited by flyguyjake - 6/28/12 at 4:17pm

I have not had the pleasure of listening to a Klipsch RW-12D, from its specs it seems to be a potent little 12" sub.

• Improvement max SPL wise, both the Empire and VTF-15H would best the Klipsch. By how much? Can't say, I'm guessing by a decently noticeable margin.
• Improvement in accuracy? Can't say without having heard the Klipsch. It would be tough to beat the VTF-15H, and the Empire is quite accurate as well.
• Improvement in low-end extension, there is where either of these two subs will without question walk all over your Klipsch.

After you buy either one of the two subs you're leaning towards, I'm quite certain you'd agree there would be a huge improvement overall, you would not regret your purchase. Especially when you watch some of your favorite bass-heavy movies and realize there's low-end content there you never heard before.

As for movie-listening between the Hsu and Epic, that's a tough call. I loved the Hsu in my brother's house, but I preferred the Empire in mine. My brother's setup is currently in a living room on floor-joists, mine is in a large open basement theatre on conc slab. Hopefully that gives you a little more food for thought.

p.s. thanks for changing how you spelled my screen name from "blow90hz" to "below90hz" - that's the kind of thing that gets rumors started!

-Ethan

LOL sorry bout that!

So what are you currently using in your house? What is your brother using in his?

Any experience testing AVR's? Who are you a fan of?

I've got two Polk monitor 70 II's for fronts (I loooooove how they sound), two JBL1200 subs (boo I hate them) up front, a JBL center channel, two JBL CM40's for surround, and my A7s-450 sitting nearfield behind my couch for the low-end stuff. My AVR is a Pioneer VSX-1120 (a gift from my awesome bro). Overall I am happy with my system except for my JBL 1200 subs. After hearing some really nice subs like the ones in this shootout, it's just hard to be happy with them.

My brother's system is pretty sweet, I know he's currently using Axiom speakers and also has some super nice JBLs in storage. I'm not sure on specifics, he'll have to chime in for specifics.

We're not as gung-ho over AVRs as we are subs, so basically we just stick to Denon cuz their stuff is reliable and powerful and all that. And lately Pioneer has had some good AVRs, although I'm not thrilled with their current lineup since they don't have pre-outs on any of their models under $1k. But I really like my 1120 (and it DOES have preouts) so I'll probably own it for a long time to come.

Below90hz, I too am looking to upgrade my sub. I am currently running a HSU VTF2.3 that is about 4 years old. 12" sub with ports & plug, kinda the VTF-15's baby brother. Weird thing is that they spec out about the same except that the 15 has more power & plays louder. It is rare that I find the VTF2.3 runs out of headroom, but it does happen occasionally. In a 12x20x9 den that is open to the kitchen on a concrete slab floor(No Texas). Considering the VTF-15, CHT, & Epik. 66% movies, 34% music. Don't get me wrong, I love the sub I have, but wonder if I'm missing much down low, or if the alternatives will give me more body slam with movies. BTW, I am running a pair of classic Polk Monitor 10's w/Peerless tweeter & polk center & surrounds. Sorry, just went to a concert & fireworks show last nite! Got the bug all over again.