Quote:
Originally Posted by
K-Wood 
I hear you, but I doubt I'll get WAF for even one Empire. It is a serious beast - I mean look at the brothers
unboxing it!
I also forgot to mention that I'll be mating it with ACI Sapphire XL L & R speakers (flat to 40Hz) and an ACI Protege center (rolls off at 80Hz), and Def Tech Mythos Gem XL surrounds (roll off at 80Hz). So the sub will need to seamlessly fill in music up to 100Hz AND supply enough low end to handle LFE information.
The key to successful circumvention of the "WAF" to is seek forgiveness after the fact. Also, don't get into the details in advance and back yourself into a corner. Express surprise at first, then head right for forgiveness mode. Learn to embrace this strategy on these important purchases.
A Phoenix is even bigger yet so I'm familiar with the size. That video is a little deceiving because the sub is in front of everything else in the room, similar to holding a fish in front of you for a photo. Once it's backed against the wall, it won't look much bigger than the current speaker between the couch and the plant, and it will blend in nicely.
Regarding the performance, let me put this another way. My area is just a bit bigger at 30' x 15' with an open L area too. My 18" Phoenix was a big step up when I was putting together this new system. I thought my old sub did pretty well, but until you experience the next level, you can't know what you are missing. I almost went with a DT Reference like the neighbor and thought that sounded good, but the Phoenix is in another league all together. If you are looking for decent LFE, trust me, a Legend will do nothing under 20hz, especially in that big of a space. But then again, you won't know what you are missing.
There's nothing wrong with a Legend, but it's not going to dig anywhere near what an an Empire can deliver. The Empire will handle up to 100hz just as well as a Legend if not better, while delivering considerably better low end.
Again, I'm sure there are people out there that would be happy with a single Legend in an auditorium, but I personally wouldn't consider anything less than an Empire in your space. Imho, a single Legend can fill a sealed space up to around 1,500 cf nicely. Duals up to 2,000 cf perhaps. Anything over 2,000 cf you really need to think hard about opting for the Empire or the low end is going to suffer. If you were doing primarily music, perhaps two Legends would be fine, but for your usage mix, and desire for solid LFE, I think you'll kick yourself if you don't shed the skirt. (j/k, but the point remains)
I'd suggest trying to reach out to a few Epik owners in your area and see if they would be willing to do an audition for you. I think you'll find a fellow AVS member or two willing help you find the right choice.
Again, just my opinion.
