Official Epik Subwoofer Thread - Page 195

It can be tricky to set up multiple subwoofers, depending on the circumstances. I think the place where most people run into trouble is by setting the volume knob on each subwoofer by eyeballing it, and/or by arbitrarily setting up one sub in one location and one sub in another location. The best way to set up multiple subs for maximum headroom is to set the level of one sub at one particular location in the room using an SPL meter, and then place the second sub in the exact same spot as the first and set the level so that SPL is equal to that measured from the first sub. Of course, another potential problem is that, if one separates the two subwoofers in a non-symmetric room layout, then there can be some cancellation which leads to a dip in the frequency response and less impact. So the easiest way to set up multiple subs for maximum headroom is simply to place them next to each other, set the gain equal on each sub using an SPL meter, and make sure that each subwoofer is in phase with each other. Provided that one does this, then there really should be no need to keep tweaking the subwoofer system.

A $600-$700 subwoofer needs certain engineering compromises that are not needed on a $1600 subwoofer, so multiples of the cheaper subwoofer will not always be the way to go. However, at higher and higher price points, there are always diminishing returns, and multiple subs may be the way to go.

The MBM is something that will work very well in some setups, but is not as necessary or as effective in other setups. Depends completely on the room layout, associated equipment, and measurement tools. I can say that we've had many customers who are using MBM with the same very large and powerful true subs discussed here, to very good effect.

Got my Phoenix today and put it in place. She is a thing of beauty! The driver looks massive next to my 12" 3.3 Excellent craftsmanship all the way around! I have played a few bass heavy scenes, but have not totally dialed it in yet and it sounds very powerful and clean.
Tomorrow I am off from work and plan on really getting it dialed in and will play a lot of material. When I EQ it with the 8033, I am going to try it just on my carpet with the feet and also with it slightly elevated about 1/2".
Chad told me that I don't want to go to high because it will change the tuning point a bit. Does anyone know what I may expect by raising it only 1/2"? Just that amount should allow the ports to move more air I would think. Chad said it would probably be unnecessary, but me being me, has to mess with things a bit
Chad said the Phoenix is tuned somewhere between 17-18hz and the way he described the design to me was its like a subwoofer with (3) 4" ports only (1) of the ports is plugged all the time.
I will try and snap some photos tomorrow.

Get your new baby yet ?

LOL JUST POSTED AT THE SAME TIME YOU DID WITH YOUR UPDATE CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW SUB!!!! Cant wait to see some pics and enjoy.

Thanks!

I have a quick question for any of the new or old Epik sub owners. Is it normal for the amp plate to be warm to the touch even at low volumes? The reason I ask is because the amp on my HSU 3.3 barely got warm even when running it very hard.

Don't know if Epik's amps are class D or not (BASH amps are). If not, then they are going to produce more heat. It shouldn't matter which is more efficient as long as it's stable. It does matter if one design has a greater damping factor along with higher output for greater driver control...thus punch.

Let the sub couple with the floor as designed, especially since it's a tuning factor. If your carpet is too lush, put it on a pad or tile.

I'm guessing you've got a stellar performer, that has a ton of headroom. Keep the commentary coming.

I know the amps are not BASH and I think they are not class D.
Chad told me that the only carpet he would consider a possible issue with the ports is old 70's shag carpeting. I have medium length freise with an 8lb pad. I do know that the feet sink pretty far in the carpet.
What I did was cut some small pieces (1 1/2" X 1 1/2") squares of 1/2" thick plywood shims and put them under the (4) feet. The shims disappear in the carpet completely. It obviously raises the sub up about 1/2". Now the ports ride just above the carpet line.
I would still think that the sub is coupled with the floor, no?

Sounds good to me...let her rip

Personally I wouldn't raise the sub without knowing the consequences of raising and how high is too high. In addition to raising the tuning point, would raising the sub also increase the risk of bottoming the driver? I wouldn't mind experimenting either since I would actually benefit from a higher tuning since I have room gain starting at around 19hz.

I am REALLY looking forward to your posts tomorrow. I was wondering why I hadn't seen you online much today, and now I know why . Getting the Phoenix was such a long drawn out process for you that I'm expecting a seriously in-depth review . Seriously, hope you're enjoying it. I'd sure think it's a very nice improvement over the 3.3. Keep us posted, Gov .

I'd suggest you get a solid slab of something like granite, marble, or cement and sit the sub on that. That way you can be sure that you would be maintaining the tuning as intended.

I ordered the Epik Sentinel last March 29.

Any ideas of Epik's lead time or expected delivery schedule?

Lance

Are you meaning a piece of slab that its as big as the footprint of the sub? For example, like putting it on a subdude?
Do you see a potential problem with these shim pieces? What if it all checks out flat with sinewaves and an SPL meter?

It is 2-3 weeks at the moment

Thanks Gov!

When you mentioned about the heat coming from the plate amp, it got me worried.

I've never felt heat generated by my SVS even at high listening levels.

I hope this will not be an issue in the long run.

Lance

The amp plate gets warm to very warm (not hot) when running the sub pretty hard. I think this may be normal because Epik's new amps are not class D BASH. I think they are class AB amps which have a tendancy to run a bit warm

Gov,

If you have time, it would be nice to see pictures your Phoenix including pics of the plate amp up close.

The website only shows a very small picture with not much detail.

Thank you!

I'm very confused. I'm replacing my SVS 25-31 PCI tuned to 20Hz with an Epik subwoofer but I do not which model to get. In fact, I already orderd the Sentinel online a few days back but something's telling me its not really an UPGRADE. I still have time to change my order.

My room is tiny around 1040 cubic feet but i will be moving to a 2500 cubic feet room in the next couple of months. DEPTH AND SLAM is what I want.

Just this, SENTINEL or DRAGON or another model?

Please help!

Lance

Go with the biggest sub you can afford. You won't regret it.

Oh man, that's a hard one.

Anyways, thanks Noah!

I'd say the Phoenix would be a very substantial upgrade over the 25-31 PCi. You should get deeper extension and a good deal more slam with the Phoenix. The Dynasty would be even better but it's quite a bit larger than the Phoenix and costs more too.

After running the 8033 EQ today, Phoenix elevated 1/2" with wood shims, I am +/- 3 db from 16hz - 80hz!! I do not have any sinewaves lower than 16hz, but I would guess I am getting good out put down to at least 14hz. I watched the ending battle scene of The Incredible Hulk at -10db MV and I felt things before that I never did with my HSU 3.3
I don't think I could have turned it up any louder, although I have no doubt the Phoenix would have belted out more!
These 18" drivers are absolutely insane! As someone has said before and I think I even saw it in his signature here, "there is no replacement for displacement". More to come later.......

Very cool! How is the upper bass compared to the 3.3 and integration with the speakers?

Curtis,

It is intergrating very well with my 340SE's!. There is tons of punch and slam. I am even using a 100hz crossover because the sub is in the farfield and I get no localization. Its very visceral and just has sound and feel that was not present with the HSU 3.3. I am chalking that up to the difference in the driver size. The driver in the Phoenix is about 42lbs and most is the magnet. I am not sure how much the driver in the 3.3 weights, but I bet much less.
The 3.3 is an excellent sub in its own right, and probably unfair to compare it to the Phoenix.

magnet weight alone does not tell you much.

so you can not tell when the signal crosses from the sub to the mains and vice versa? Same tone, articulation, and definition?

I just watched some scenes from Hitman and the conquest continues to amaze me. Plenty of midbass and slam. I definitely do not need an MBM-12 with this sub.

To my ears, it is a seamless blend

Excellent! So other than it goes louder than the 3.3, how would you compare the two?

So, Gov, I'm assuming you won't be making the long drive back to Epik to return the Phoenix...

...and where are my pictures?!?!

The bass with the Phoenix has more slam and punch. That hit you in chest feeling. I can feel the bass radiating through my body. Basically, the sound quality is similar. I think the best way to described it is the Phoenix is like the 3.3 on steroids.