Official Epik Subwoofer Thread - Page 32

That's for the conquest right? I can't remember which one you've got.

Imitation, could you please post some more pictures of the Valor ?

yeah that is for the conquest.

BTW, should i have the spl meter in max mode or normal when running these tests?

Mwolfe,
When you plotted your numbers did you factor in the correction table?
If not, here is the table. You need to add these numbers to what you got to get what it is really going on. I know it does not list every number but you can guesstimate the numbers in between.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr...6&openflup&1&4

Yeah I can eventually, but the camera is dead right now. I couldn't find the charger, it's up to the wife to find it. She used it last.

Checkout the corrected results. I really need to re-run this test though with rew when i get my cables. There is probably significant errors in here on my part. between fumbling around with things at the same time trying to plot and look at my ipod for which frequency is playing etc.

Hey Matt,

Have you tried running the tones with your sub plus mains? Try adjusting xover and/or phase and see what it does to the suckout @ 65hz. You might just luck out and get pretty flat . I'd run the test in descending order if possible, pause and disconnect the mains, when they run out of gas, then continue.

RT

i had the mains set to -12 and the sub at 0 so that they would have relatively no effect.. As a reference, when calibrated (somewhat properly, sub a bit hot in the low end) the sub is usually at -11 and the mains at -6 or so.

I'll try with them on later.

Got you. Sorry. I guess I read it a little to quickly. Looks good though. And those SPL's you were posting before looked solid.

I am helping a friend of mine build his first HT. I showed him all the possible options but I kind of steered him toward Epik because it is evident that Chad and his folks care about what they are doing and their customers. My friend likes the idea of the valor. So I picked up the phone early today and left a message. Well while shopping this evening after 8 Pm my time in Fl. I got a call from Chad himself. Talk about dedication and customer service. I had a very good conversation with him ( and it was evident he was going to take how ever long it needed to take, he was not rushing me at all and we spoke about several other things other than just the Valor) and I was thrilled to hear his enthusiasm for what he is doing. Suffice it to say I know where my money will go for my next sub, as well as my friends. I am no fan-boy as at this time I own none of their products but I must say I am impressed with this level of commitment and customer service. Again just wanted to chime in with my appreciation.

Conquest shipping notice today - 363 lbs of subwoofer heading my way!!

Light

make sure you've got a hand truck or an extra hand or two.

Wow, here I am convinced that nothing worthwhile has been posted in this particular forum since the day the DIY forum was created, and then I find this massive thread about Chad's new subwoofer company I just went through the whole thread, good stuff. I even see steve nn was here - man, where have I been.

Chad, great to see you posting at this place, haven't really seen you frequent a forum as steadily as you have this one for a long time. I remember you talking about this being your ultimate goal - commercial DIY subs - over two years ago when I ordered my two Avalanche 18s. I'd really like to thank you for making such a nice product at an amazing price. Back at the time, giant subs in the home weren't nearly as "accepted" as they are now. Believe it or not, it was using your driver in a large and low tuned enclosure that really helped launch the popularity of that type of design for DIYers. You're probably very familiar with Sherv's, but I'd love to show you mine (Sherv is such a copy cat - and over a year late to the party )







Your Avalanche 18 in a 650 effective liter enclosure tuned to 13hz allowed me to achieve this natural, non EQ'd FR at my old place.




Again, my hat is off to you! I wish you great success with this new product line, it seems like it is already taking off in popularity. At those prices, with that much displacement, and bucking the normal size restraints you typically see manufacturers limit themselves to, there isn't any commercial competitor that can stand in your way.


Other notes. I find it amazing how much people are amazed when someone smart like Chad goes out and sells a product line like this. I guess there really is a large segment of people who aren't willing to buy a quality driver, build their own enclosure, and save several hundred dollars. Chad's prices are great, I can't think of much out there to compete with his stuff commercially, but is purchasing a finished sub that much more attractive than building it yourself? I guess it is. Wish I had a CNC router

While Chad has mentioned he will be changing this tactic, I like the fact that he didn't talk about this stuff on forums for 5 years leading up until its launch. I like the fact that he launched and is letting his subs do the talking rather than having legions of fanboys who don't really understand how a sub works speculate about vaporware for years. I can think of a few subs out there that have been talked about for ages and still haven't produced a single db in any end user's home yet Thing is, with this Epik line out, now they are probably screwed - better get back to the drawing board If you're quiet, and you listen close enough, you can even hear some preorders for others subs being cancelled right now.

From a performance stand point, the use of passive radiators in a commercial design for the sake of keeping the enclosure small is definitely is not as good a solution as big port area in a larger enclosure. Chad knows this and is putting it to good use. Other options can have 20 PRs, but relatively small enclosure size will limit low end efficiency. Now you have to add some low end EQ boost into the amp, disproportionately increasing low end distortion. Also, you are paying big $$$ for those radiators, whereas a port is cheap and gets you to the same end.

Lastly, I noticed a fella in here using a Conquest with some Ascend 340s all around. I own some 340s that have gone from mains to surrounds and are now being used as rears, and I have heard them at other enthusiast's homes with large DIY subs as well - believe me when I tell you that you will NEED to upgrade your mains if you really want to get the most out of your new sub. This isn't a knock on the speakers, it's just the way it is. They will audibly distort well before your new sub ever will. If you don't plan on playing at reference levels, you're fine, but the sub will always have lots more in the tank than your speakers.

By the way, someone who own a Conquest do me a favor and take a close mic FR sweep - place the mic about 2-3" out from the center of the cone. I'm interested to find out what the tuning is.

@SteveCallas - Wow man, you got quite a few old school gaming systems. I see a N64, original Nintendo, and what looks to be a Sega Genesis. I also see a Xbox 360...but no PS3? Come on, every hardcore AV person has to have a PS3 to compliment their HT

And wow, thats one HUGE sub enclosure, I can do big, but that thing is massive. If I saw that I would think some alien accidentally dropped some pod in your living room.

Yes - I have a heavy-duty hand truck....and the only stairs are down (and I don't plan on moving any time soon)!!!!

Planning on install and calibration next weekend!

Yes, extremely few (as a percentage of entire subwoofer using market) are willing to DIY, and fewer still want, or can accommidate, a water heater sized sub (or anything even close) in their home. Their time is worth more than the money, and looks do matter.



No but smaller is easier to market and locate within a room.

Yes, if you want cheap, go really big, ported, and do it yourself...if you can't diy then you can get someone else to do it big, and ported....if that same company wants to sell a bigger number of units, they neeed to make them smaller.

Why do you feel you need Craig to tell you how something sounds? He may do nice write ups, but some of his calls in the past should make any performance-orientated enthusiast take his words with a grain of salt. His ears hear things one way, yours hear things another, and mine yet another. If everyone had the same preferences, we'd all have the same speakers.

Large and low tuned ported is a proven concept that does everything right. FR, headroom, distortion, and transient response all excel in that type of design. Were I in the market for a commercial sub, the Conquest looks to easily take the cake at its price.

In fact, I wonder how much pleading it would take to get Chad to consider tossing us DIY guys a bone and selling that Conquest driver on its own. No self respecting DIYer is gonna buy a finished sub, but business can still be reaped from that market by selling the driver. Hint hint, wink wink

Is there anyone in Nor Cal area (Greater Sacramento) that has a Conquest yet? I canceled my order for the PB13 Ultra (for two reasons: 1. A month delay and 2. This sub!) and am thinking about buying this sub. I just would really love to audition it before I purchase almost $2,000 worth of unheard sub.

On a side note: I have talked to Chad 3 times and each time I am left thinking "Damn, he is a really nice guy". He took the time to answer all my questions, no sales pressure, he is very confident, and I even asked about a customization option for the grill and he is looking into it. I can't think of anyone whether retail or otherwise that strive for CS like he does. That says a lot to me.

Ask chad if he's sold any that way.. I'm not sure on this but considering it looks like this is pretty much a one or two man operation that not more than a few dozen people have conquests at this time and thus finding someone in your area may be tough. I live in the central california area near san luis obispo. If you ever come down this way PM me.

What are you thinking you would want done with the grill?

I haven't had any time to listen to my Conquest in the last couple weeks due to family visits and work, but today ran through scenes from WOTW, M&C, FOTP and was very impressed to say the least. However, on the famous Finding Nemo "Darla" scene, I seem to have reached the limits of the Conquest in my room, unless there is another explanation such as amperage limit from the room's electrical circuit - I hit an uncorrected 109db on the RS analog meter from 9ft away at MV -4, and when turning up the volume 1db at a time further, even at 0db, I did not get any higher SPL readings and in fact they seemed to drop a bit, so it appears I hit the limiter or compression and am surprised it would not play louder.

Ross

Darla isn't especially demanding...I think it's centered in the high 20s...probably how it's mixed. What kind of results did you get on the others? On the Pod Emergence at reference I got 115 at 3.5 meters...I'd expect you to do better.

Howdy Ron! I'll try to run that scene today at reference and report back...

Cheers,
Ross

Heh, its a small world, I live down by there as well

Why fill an Epik thread with post nothing to do with Epik? Debates should be in PM IMO

Any Conquest owners in Seattle ?

Ditto...