SHOOTOUT! Epik Empire vs HSU VTF-15H vs CHT CS18.1 vs Rythmik FV15 vs eD A7s-450 - Page 6

It's brief, and I'm not pushing my HSU on anyone, but the double kick part is quite visually impressive with driver motion.

I have no less than 5 friends (who DON'T like metal) quite impressed with the performance and the feeling that the sub was about to flop out of the box into the floor and then smack them in the neck!!!

Top notch review, gentlemen!

It grossly exceeded my expectations. In depth, honest, with great videos to boot!

I feel like getting punched in the stomach, so my next sub is the HSU VTF-15H, but it was a close one.
I applaude Dr. HSU for both an WAF approved sub with performace to back it up!

The other sexy sub is the Rythmik FV15. It's a toss up on my next sub between these two!

Well you are welcome very little!...not sure why the sarcasm, but the ears can be very SUBJECTIVE.

mrcoop....aka---->mr wizard

Nice job guys!

Just the group photo alone was interesting!

I feel the same way is it a toss up between these two.
Max spl that they tested is good to know, but if the subs where calibrated into a system at 78db and watched at refence levels which sub would give you the most impact?

Allen

If you guys are going to be returning the subs back to the vendors, how much money do you estimate you'll have to eat as a result of conducting these tests? In addition, did any of the vendors agree in advance to absorb any portion of the s/h for returns?

Bravo! Great review, only wished that you had an SVS in the review as well. The Hsu, rhythmik and epik all look like great buys. I'm leaning towards the epik due to form factor and spl's won't matter in my small room. BTW the feet on that craigsub look so out of place and look horrible.

Thanks! Speaking of the photos, I didn't originally credit the photographer, because i asked her last minute to do the shoot so she didn't have any time to prepare, and I did the processing so i didn't know if she'd like how i did it (she's a pro fashion/wedding photog and she's really freakin good at it). But i asked her yesterday if she preferred to be credited or not and she said "sure" so i added a credit to the introduction. For those of you who missed it, go check out www.elenajasic.com and she's also got a photography blog with even tons more pictures (link is in upper left corner). (some parts of site are nsfw)

If I recall the anticipation thread correctly, they plan to sell the subs, not return them.

With the level of appreciation expressed on this thread for the efforts, have they become collectors items? Maybe the guys should engrave the subs and see if they couldn't at least break even if not make a couple of bucks

If that's the case, then there's probably still a loss associated with selling them since they're not new. Further, there's the question for the new owner of the subs as to whether they're still warrantied.

We're not returning subs. Adam is selling them - and I'm begging him to hold off for a while because I think we need more time with them. So please don't PM him just yet folks!


We are almost certainly going to be including an SVS product when we do a review of the higher price range subs.


Yeah actually i feel bad about that, cuz at the GetToGether, Craig asked about the feet, and everyone (including us) was like "yeah they're different" "the wood is a nice touch", etc. I think Craig was about the only one who had his doubts about the feet! Sorry Craig!

I'm sure you're right, though who wouldn't pay over retail to be able to claim ownership of the now famous "SHOOTOUT! Epik Empire vs HSU VTF-15H vs CHT CS18.1 vs Rythmik FV15 vs eD A7s-450" subs

Particularly given the robust QC process they just went through.

As much as I'm impressed by the reviews (thanks guys) I'm equally impressed by the non inflammatory responses thus far as well (thanks guys.)

I wouldn't pay over retail and I hope others wouldn't either (no offence meant towards the testers). They're used not aged like Scotch! BTW, in a very brief attempt to try and get some insight into what ED's policy is on things like returns and warranties, I didn't come across anything on their website. Was I not patient enough in finding it or is it just in some obscure place?

Chu, I'm just kidding about paying over retail.

LOL on the mental image of "aged" subs. Deep bass with just a hint of Sherry and foam surround

Hey guys, I noticed you spoke about a review of the higher priced subs, do you have an idea of which subs will be included in that review?

Seriously. We're six pages in and no one has been stabbed yet, though I fear time is the enemy here. It always is in the subwoofer forum. All it takes is one wrong (or right) question that someone else doesn't like...

I think the guys did a hell of a job. Regardless of how informative people may or may not think it is, it's entertaining and a fun read nonetheless.

What were the extension and damping settings used for the Rythmik?

If I missed it, can some one point me in the right direction?

I've been looking at their subs for the past couple of weeks in thoughts of possibly buying one or two.

I can't find the warranty info anywhere on their site and I've looked/searched for it.

I have one question/observation that I know several people will have/have experienced:

Why is that this is true?(and I have experienced it too)

"We can’t tell you how much fun this sub is to listen to. It was kind of a mystery to us: even though its average max SPL was about 2.8db below the A7s-450, this thing just moved you like no other."

I mean...

I have been giving it several thoughts and the only thing I can come up with is that since the sub has the flattest FR, in real world material when all the freqs are asked to be played at the same time, the VTF-15 actually handles them louder, because all the freqs are having the same loudness/priority and thus plays actually louder? (i guess)

Does this make sense to you people? If this is not me being high or something(HAHAHAH) this effect appears to be very difficult to measure, but it is giving great results in real world performance.

The same thing happens with several of the HSU lineup, since when the VTF-3 MK3 review from craigsub came up, he said that "the sub was pure joy to listen to", and that "it goes beyond the posted numbers"...So apparently all HSU subs in real world material are much powerful felt than others with higher SPL numbers per frequency...

BTW...I didn't have my coffee today...HAHHAA

I pay very little attention to any subjective comments that fly in the face of objective numbers.

Well done guys. This took a lot of time and I am sure that many are and will appreciate your work efforts.

S

It's in the Help section.

i suppose you could just paint the feet black if you didn't like them.

anyway, i'm in agreement with you on the hsu, rhytmik and epik. they look like the cream of the crop. it's nice to have choices.

Hey Gentleman, Great job!!
You showed two lines on the A7s450 with bassboost on/off, is the graph of the CS18.1 with the bass boost on or off? Thanks.

QUOTE - Madaeel

Oh and even though we love the VTF-15H's feet, maybe consider offering an optional set of feet that transfer less to the floor for people who don't? Ok, we're done grasping at straws now.

What we like/were impressed with:
The driver is so powerful you can actually see the enclosure vibrate when its maxed out. (You're not gonna place anything on top of a sub this gorgeous anyways so that's not a bad thing).


Kwarny - It may be due to the fact that the feet transferred more energy to the floor than the others. Not an expert but the HSU's cabinet not being as inert compared to the others at max output may account for this presence.

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Nice!! so it’s a Sub and a Bass Shaker.... that would save me like $200 additional bucks....
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