SHOOTOUT! Epik Empire vs HSU VTF-15H vs CHT CS18.1 vs Rythmik FV15 vs eD A7s-450 - Page 7

Originally Posted by Chu Gai

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?

Originally Posted by lwj81

It's in the Help section.

Originally Posted by kwarny

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.

Originally Posted by Rythmik

Ricci,

I agree with you. But that maybe just a couple of db. It is difficult to get everything in exactly same. We just have to keep in mind that subs with greater extension will be under heavier stress. The power that is used to put out that extra extension can be used in more audible band. .

Originally Posted by Rythmik

I believe Ethan and Adam set it to 14/low. They basically looked at the FR curves on our FV15 product page and get a lot of information on how to set it for the test. I was a bit nervous that they may use the wrong setting. But their reply was the instruction was very clear. As you can see that curve has also quite a bit of correlation to what Ethan/Adam got. The same thing goes to AH shootout. I did send email to Gene beforehand to set it to 14hz/low as that will give us the flattest extension. That AH curve is almost a replicate of what we had measured. There are more than one ways to get the FR curves and they should all correlate very well.

Originally Posted by sputter1

That's curious, I wonder if any of the other Sub manufactures were able to have thier subs setup for the flattest extention? ( in regards to Gene's "shootout"

Originally Posted by BufordTJustice

I have read and re-read every review and still am impressed at the herculean effort you guys put forth. Can you guys start an audio review website? Seriously.

On another note, the only comment I have is this: the A7s-450's performance becomes MUCH improved with the up-until-recently included for free eQ.2. I got mine for free with my A7s-450 and used it, in conjunction with my buddy's pro-audio hand held full spectrum RTA to flatten my in-room FR.

My living room is an open area about 24'x24' with a vaulted ceiling (11.5' at the center hi-point), with a poured concrete foundation (single story residence). Using the eQ.2, I'm now ruler-flat from 63hz down to 25hz, with a 3.5-4ish dB drop at 20Hz. I have it crossed over at 70Hz from my mains.

The character of the sound has DRASTICALLY changed. I went from an A2-300 to this, and the A7s now definitely has a 'rounder' and fuller bottom end than it did previously. The 'boom' is back in a big way. Before using eQ.2 (and the 25Hz boost switch, which I am also employing), I had a sharp roll-off at 35Hz and a strong peak at 58-62Hz. This was to be expected in my room. I can't emphasize enough the HUGE change in the character of the sound.

I said all that to say this: If a company offers an upgrade, I know it's more work to do an A/B, but I wish you guys would have employed the eQ.2 with the A7s-450's eval.

It's such a powerful tool (and even reasonably priced at $85 if bought concurrently)that I believe should serve to work for the eD. Having a sealed sub with the most output (A7s-450), the most powerful amp (A7s-450), and the most headroom (A7s-450) makes it the BEST candidate in this entire shootout for accepting meaningful amounts of eQ while still maintaining good overall headroom. Adding eQ to a ported sub is a tricky proposition unless you have a subsonic filter you can use to filter below the port tuning frequency (The eQ.2 has this feature as well). The fact is, the eQ.2 would be an advantage to nearly every sub in the competition in some fashion or another (for EQ purposes or just a quality outboard subsonic filter). It adds so much, I feel the review of the A7s-450 would have gone much differently if that tool was utilized. It's made such a huge difference for me, I don't think anybody who owns it would not take advantage of it. Another alternative is to use Audyssey Multi-EQ on all the subs, with each in the same position. Just my $.02

Originally Posted by floridapoolboy

The review was quite specific when it came to the shortcomings of that particular sub. The fit and finish, the "dancing" cabinet, the amp that clipped very quickly, the "sticky" driver that became a dust collector, etc. Why would you be considering it over all the others?

Originally Posted by floridapoolboy

I think you did that with your reply! I was pointing out shortcomings in the review of the sub you were asking about. that's all.

If you aren't really concerned with what was said in the review then buy anything you want, who cares... good luck!

Originally Posted by yadfgp

I am concerned about what was said in the review which is why I asked those questions. Seriously wtf. Way to turn something positive into something negative. Good luck to you to!

Originally Posted by jpmst3

Here we go again. Let the crap fly.

Originally Posted by floridapoolboy

Why when I bring up specifics of the review do you seem to take it that way? What did I say that wasn't written? Or are you just dead set on buying that particular sub regardless?


Hmm, nice, go back and delete your reply so mine no longer has context. WTF?

Originally Posted by floridapoolboy

The review was quite specific, and the facts speak for themselves. What further elaboration is needed, and why the heck can't we discuss the results? Good luck right back at you, and if you're gonna post, have the nads to not go back and quickly delete!

Originally Posted by floridapoolboy

The review was quite specific, and the facts speak for themselves. What further elaboration is needed, and why the heck can't we discuss the results? Good luck right back at you, and if you're gonna post, have the nads to not go back and quickly delete!

Originally Posted by BufordTJustice

I said all that to say this: If a company offers an upgrade, I know it's more work to do an A/B, but I wish you guys would have employed the eQ.2 with the A7s-450's eval.