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Narrowed it down to two. Need some advice.

2533 Views 28 Replies 10 Participants Last post by JD-AVS, Jan 27, 2008

SeanCJ

Discussion Starter · Jan 16, 2008

Hello All,

My room is 23' wide by 26' long with 12' ceilings. Roughly 7200 cubic feet.

I'm in need of a new front ported subwoofer (will be installed behind a screen wall or possibly within a cabinet under the screen).

I sit 14' away from the screen, dead center in the room.

I'm only concerned about home theater performance, not music. I truly only listen at moderate levels most of the time (you guys all know why

)but ocassionally during the right films (and when the house is empty) I will turn it up just a bit.

Based on readings in this forum and the craigsub list, I've narrowed it down to three subs in my price range.

1. SVS PB12-NSD

2. Epik Knight

3. Epik Caliber

Based on my room's dimensions can you guys help point me in which would be better over the long haul? I am not into 'upgraditis' so this sub will need to last me many years.

I do want to 'feel' the sub, moreso than 'hear' it, if that makes sense.

Please understand that I'm a total newbie and I need your advice.

Thanks alot!

Sean

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1 - 20 of 29 Posts

JEFFREY GTS

· #2 · Jan 16, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanCJ /forum/post/12833906

Hello All,

My room is 23' wide by 26' long with 12' ceilings. Roughly 7200 cubic feet.

I'm in need of a new front ported subwoofer (will be installed behind a screen wall or possibly within a cabinet under the screen).

I sit 14' away from the screen, dead center in the room.

I'm only concerned about home theater performance, not music. I truly only listen at moderate levels most of the time (you guys all know why

)but ocassionally during the right films (and when the house is empty) I will turn it up just a bit.

Based on readings in this forum and the craigsub list, I've narrowed it down to three subs in my price range.

1. SVS PB12-NSD

2. Epic Knight

3. Epic Caliber

Based on my room's dimensions can you guys help point me in which would be better over the long haul? I am not into 'upgraditis' so this sub will need to last me many years.

I do want to 'feel' the sub, moreso than 'hear' it, if that makes sense.

Please understand that I'm a total newbie and I need your advice.

Thanks alot!

Sean

Epik, is with a K.

And I would go with the Epik Caliber.

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2

pdadi

· #3 · Jan 16, 2008

Your room is too big for one of them.

SeanCJ

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 16, 2008

Thanks. I fixed the typo.

I've also emailed Epik and asked for their advice as well.

Would I be better served with two subs then? Can I possibly get into two subs for around the same $700 to $800? That's really all I can spend right now.

lalakersfan34

· #5 · Jan 16, 2008

I think the subs you're looking at are probably your best options in the price range you're considering. However, I agree that room is stretching the abilities of any of those subs. My thought is the Epik Caliber might edge out the Knight, but only in really low frequency output (below 20hz). I'd recommend getting a Knight and seeing if its performance is adequate for you. Since you claim not to listen that loud, it might be sufficient for you. If it doesn't quite cut it, rest assured you still have a great sub. In that case, I'd just suggest saving up and purchasing a second Knight and co-locating them. Two Knights should give an awesome HT experience, even in that room.

The PB12-NSD is also a great subwoofer, but I think the Knight will best it in output, and in a room that size, every bit of output will be important. Still, I'd contact Epik and SVS and see what they recommend. Again, my personal recommendation is to start with one Epik Knight, and if it proves to be insufficient, add a second Knight in time. Good luck!

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iceperson

· #6 · Jan 16, 2008

I like pie.

SeanCJ

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 16, 2008

Thanks Lakersfan! Very good advice. I was thinking along those lines too, but I might pay a bit more for the Caliber after reading its details on the Epik website just now. Maybe down the road two Calibers would be the ideal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by iceperson /forum/post/12834562

He returned an A5-350, so I doubt a Knight is going to be any better in his room.

Not sure where this is coming from. I think you have me confused with someone else. Never owned an A5-350

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tcat

· #8 · Jan 16, 2008

I also have a room at least that large and am strongly leaning towards building an IB from (4) AE-IB15 drivers. It's that or buying a Knight. I currently have a PDR-8 which I am "almost" happy with, so I think "room size" is largely a function of listening habits, volume, and what floats your personal boat. I'm sure a Knight would make me more than happy, but building something for "about" the same cost that goes even lower and I would NEVER need to upgrade has me up in the attic laying it out....

lalakersfan34

· #9 · Jan 16, 2008

Hey, glad to help. I'd still make sure to contact Epik and SVS and see what they recommend (they know their products much better than I do).

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanCJ /forum/post/12833906

I am not into 'upgraditis' so this sub will need to last me many years.

I had to laugh when I read this. Unless you have unreal levels of self control, you'll need to make sure to stay away from AVS in order to avoid this inevitable plight

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanCJ /forum/post/12833906

I do want to 'feel' the sub, moreso than 'hear' it, if that makes sense.

Please understand that I'm a total newbie and I need your advice.

Thanks alot!

Sean

This statement does tend to suggest the Caliber, with its better ultra-low frequency output would be a better choice for you than the Knight. I was trying to exercise thrift and be as budget-conscious as possible in my previous recommendation. If the Caliber is feasible, I think it'll be a great start. If (read: when

) you add a second, I think you'll have an awesome bass setup.

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2

iceperson

· #10 · Jan 16, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanCJ /forum/post/12834607

Thanks Lakersfan! Very good advice. I was thinking along those lines too, but I might pay a bit more for the Caliber after reading its details on the Epik website just now. Maybe down the road two Calibers would be the ideal.

Not sure where this is coming from. I think you have me confused with someone else. Never owned an A5-350

Oops. Confused you with someone else. Sorry.

thebuckaman

· #11 · Jan 17, 2008

I have had my Knight for a few days in a large room and all I can say is WOW. This sub is a bargain. Tons of sub 20Hz output. Great impact. I can't see a need for more, but to each their own. Very musical and movies will blow you away. Just wanted to post my thoughts.

David James

· #12 · Jan 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by thebuckaman /forum/post/12845543

I have had my Knight for a few days in a large room and all I can say is WOW. This sub is a bargain. Tons of sub 20Hz output. Great impact. I can't see a need for more, but to each their own. Very musical and movies will blow you away. Just wanted to post my thoughts.

How large is your room?

pbc

· #13 · Jan 17, 2008

Given the size of the room, I'd go with whichever sub produces more output above 20/25hz versus looking for the one that extends lower (unless you are going to eventually get two of the latter). My bet is you'll notice the above 20/25hz SPL more then the fact that you're missing some SPL below 20/25hz. So if one of those subs has better SPL above 25hz that's the option I'd go with, personally (again, outside of purchasing two).

tcat

· #14 · Jan 17, 2008

Didn't you do a DIY Tempest sub that you were very happy with? How does this compare? And yes, how large is your room? I was going to build an IB sub, but your Knight comments have the scales leaning the Knight way for me. I'm interested in hearing the 16-20 hz. sounds the IB guys "WOW" over, but if the Knight pumps them out, it's as "cheap" as the IB I was going to build (and a lot less labor!)

Quote:
Originally Posted by thebuckaman /forum/post/12845543

I have had my Knight for a few days in a large room and all I can say is WOW. This sub is a bargain. Tons of sub 20Hz output. Great impact. I can't see a need for more, but to each their own. Very musical and movies will blow you away. Just wanted to post my thoughts.

thebuckaman

· #15 · Jan 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by tcat /forum/post/12846107

Didn't you do a DIY Tempest sub that you were very happy with? How does this compare? And yes, how large is your room? I was going to build an IB sub, but your Knight comments have the scales leaning the Knight way for me. I'm interested in hearing the 16-20 hz. sounds the IB guys "WOW" over, but if the Knight pumps them out, it's as "cheap" as the IB I was going to build (and a lot less labor!)

Great Memory tcat! I did build a DIY Tempest. In my new house it was far more impressive than my initial reviews. Placement was difficult at the old house. Anyways, I have an upstairs home theater that is more for TV or sports. (50" Panasonic Plasma, H-K AVR520 5.1, Infinity IL40s, IL36c, some Boston Acoustic In ceilings, the Knight (love it), and a Sony Upconverting dvd player.) The basement is now my true theater...(Sanyo PLV-Z2 720p projector, 110" HDTV screen, Electrovoice SL8.2 LCR and Surrounds, Marantz SR-7400, Oppo 971, and the tempest DIY.)

I have been happy with the Tempest in the basement system...until I heard the Knight upstairs. I have a to say...the Knight is a wonderful subwoofer.

I visited Hsu when I was in Anaheim for a trade show and heard all of the Hsu stuff. I really liked his subwoofers. They were accurate, clean, and had wonderful extention. At the time, I thought they were also pretty loud and tactile...until my Knight. I now know that the Knight surpasses the Hsu's in all of those categories and I am in a larger room (probably 3-5 times as large as Hsu's room)

I have a family room with high vaulted ceilings that is open to the kitchen, the dining room, the foyer, and the main bedroom hallway. LOTS of air to fill. I had NO SUB upstairs, so I got the Knight to be a quick quality solution. I hadn't heard of any reviews of the sub and took a bit of a leap of faith after talking with Chad for awhile. I am now contemplating putting it in my Theater downstairs because I love it so much.

Im probably going to try and sell the Tempest and get another Knight!

I looked at and/or listened to Hsu, SVS, Velodyne, DefTEch, BagEnd, Outlaw, and ED and I finally selected the Knight. No regrets at all.

I understand all my thoughts and impressions are that of my own experiences and musical taste, but I am well versed in the measurement and analysis of sound and acoustics. I am an Acoustical Consultant/Professional A/V Design Engineer for a multi-million dollar A/V consulting company and have had a great deal of listening/evaluative experience in both commercial and residential as well as a degree in Acoustics. Not boasting, just a bit of background info.

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JEFFREY GTS

· #16 · Jan 17, 2008

So if you are that impressed with the Knight I wonder how you would like the Tower.

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thebuckaman

· #17 · Jan 17, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by JEFFREY GTS /forum/post/12848183

So if you are that impressed with the Knight I wonder how you would like the Tower.

My guess is VERY

It was above my price ceiling and too big for the location I have.

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tcat

· #18 · Jan 17, 2008

So approx. how large is the room the Knight is in? Great review!

Quote:
Originally Posted by thebuckaman /forum/post/12848824

My guess is VERY

It was above my price ceiling and too big for the location I have.

thebuckaman

· #19 · Jan 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by tcat /forum/post/12849306

So approx. how large is the room the Knight is in? Great review!

Room is 28x22 with 18' ceilings. BIG! Lots of odd angles that help.

SeanCJ

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 18, 2008

Thanks all for the input and experiences.

Just to throw this out there since budget is very much a concern right now; would I be foolish to spend $450 for two BIC Acoustech H-100's (found on ebay) rather than getting the Knight or Caliber at around $700? I would like to save the money if the BIC's will do.

I'm spending so much on this home theater upgrade and I've got to start cutting back somewhere as I'm running out of money and I don't even have seats yet

Thanks again to all of you for all the great input!

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