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Post by wesm228 on Sept 23, 2011 12:06:58 GMT -5
Just bought one used from Adam of the AVS subwoofer shootout. $650 shipped in excellent condition. It will be my first sealed subwoofer. Also will be my first dual woofer sub. Can't wait...
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Post by edoggrc51 on Sept 23, 2011 12:28:40 GMT -5
Congrats! Nice sub at a nice price! I had one for while and loved it!  |
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Post by DoingOK on Sept 23, 2011 14:54:48 GMT -5
I have three different Epik subs in my house. I have nothing but praise for the sound/quality.
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HDSapper
Emo VIPs 
"Any problem on earth can be solved with the careful application of high explosives."
Posts: 833
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Post by HDSapper on Sept 23, 2011 14:58:48 GMT -5
You really are DoingOK. You're garage system is better than many people's main system.
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Post by wesm228 on Sept 25, 2011 0:35:51 GMT -5
Judging by the shootout pics it looks like this sub has the original version amplifier. I know some folks had problems with this one. I'm not sure what part/s were changed but the layout is horizontal vs. vertical of the original.
Anyone with an original amp have issues or none at all? I know the Legend amps have been very problematic but overall the Empire is pretty reliable.
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Post by edoggrc51 on Sept 25, 2011 0:49:13 GMT -5
My empire was in the first batch produced. I had it for about 8months (I think) with ZERO problems. I sold it to a local fellow audionut and he's still rocking it to this day. |
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Post by iskandam on Sept 25, 2011 3:12:50 GMT -5
yup, zero problems and I'm loving it!!
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Bruce
Emo VIPs
Posts: 844
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Post by Bruce on Sept 25, 2011 4:37:18 GMT -5
Zero problems and great for Music and Movies.The sub goes great with my Salk speakers.I did not expect the Empire to be this great for music .
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Post by wesm228 on Sept 25, 2011 13:48:08 GMT -5
I have always wanted dual subs but space never permitted and all the subs I've used in my HT were so large that stacking in the corner would have been my only option. The same may go for the Empire. I won't know for certain until it's in the room as reading the dimensions online is never an accurate indicator of it's true size (ie. A5-350). It's a few inches shorter/thinner than the ED was though, I know that much. I've read about how incredible duals of these are and if it lives up to the excitement from owners I'd definitely like to go that route eventually.
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Post by xyz1 on Sept 25, 2011 15:09:42 GMT -5
I have always wanted dual subs but space never permitted and all the subs I've used in my HT were so large that stacking in the corner would have been my only option. The same may go for the Empire. I won't know for certain until it's in the room as reading the dimensions online is never an accurate indicator of it's true size (ie. A5-350). It's a few inches shorter/thinner than the ED was though, I know that much. I've read about how incredible duals of these are and if it lives up to the excitement from owners I'd definitely like to go that route eventually. They are great for music & movies. I really enjoy my subs, they are really powerful, so I have to turn them down a little, or else I could create my own little earthquake. ;D |
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Post by wesm228 on Sept 29, 2011 2:30:02 GMT -5
Empire has shipped out and is on its way to me. I keep reading past threads on "Empire vs "insert sub here" as I'm excited I will soon experience what some users have raved about. I gotta stop that though. So much more negative comments (avs forum). Most of the threads turned to bashing one or the other company. Got tired of it quickly. If this sub doesn't do it for me I might have to go DIY sealed (lms ultra?).
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Post by a1uc on Sept 29, 2011 6:59:32 GMT -5
I have always wanted dual subs but space never permitted and all the subs I've used in my HT were so large that stacking in the corner would have been my only option. The same may go for the Empire. I won't know for certain until it's in the room as reading the dimensions online is never an accurate indicator of it's true size (ie. A5-350). It's a few inches shorter/thinner than the ED was though, I know that much. I've read about how incredible duals of these are and if it lives up to the excitement from owners I'd definitely like to go that route eventually. Dual Subs ;D Im running (2) HSU VTF-15H |
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Post by edoggrc51 on Sept 29, 2011 7:43:10 GMT -5
Empire has shipped out and is on its way to me. I keep reading past threads on "Empire vs "insert sub here" as I'm excited I will soon experience what some users have raved about. I gotta stop that though. So much more negative comments (avs forum). Most of the threads turned to bashing one or the other company. Got tired of it quickly. If this sub doesn't do it for me I might have to go DIY sealed (lms ultra?). I've had both. As good as the Empire is it's no match for a properly designed (and powered) LMS Ultra. |
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Post by wesm228 on Sept 29, 2011 10:40:56 GMT -5
Just curious, which 'sound' do you prefer more, the dual Conquests or LMS Ultra you had?
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Post by edoggrc51 on Sept 30, 2011 9:42:34 GMT -5
Just curious, which 'sound' do you prefer more, the dual Conquests or LMS Ultra you had? LMS all the way. The SQ those drivers have is unbelieveable! You can just hear the different tones of bass they produce. And the output isnt too shabby either. lol |
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Post by wesm228 on Oct 3, 2011 23:23:36 GMT -5
I should be picking the Empire up at the closest Fedex Office location Tuesday evening. Will post pics..
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Post by wesm228 on Oct 5, 2011 3:08:34 GMT -5
Sub is here: Attachments:
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Post by wesm228 on Oct 5, 2011 3:09:41 GMT -5
Sub in its spot: Attachments:
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Post by wesm228 on Oct 5, 2011 3:38:12 GMT -5
I have a 2.1 system, no rears or center. I have the sub level at zero in the processor. The sub gain is set to about 11 O'clock for intense action movie watching. The UMC crossover is currently set to 70hz but I also tried 65, 80 and 120hz. No level matching was done. I don't have an spl meter right now and I never level matched a subwoofer previously.
A few thoughts:
-output is not as great as my previous ED A5-350 which I expected
-still rattles the walls, but not nearly like the previous sub; not sure how much of this has to do with the dual opposed design not introducing cabinet vibration, but the ED sub enclosure was also quite inert and both were placed on carpet over concrete floor
-the ED is tuned to 18hz and seemed to go lower or at least had more output in that range; a few movie scenes however took us by surprise with their depth such as in Transformers 1 when the base is first attacked their is this nuclear sort of blast that we always use for testing a new sub that really sounded more intense with the Empire
-the midbass punches hard but not like some reviewers would lead you to believe; maybe I need to get crazy with the gain knob; I did notice when I turned the UMC volume up around 60 the overall feel was increased tremendously; but we usually watch around 50 tops on the volume level; and I'm still nervous about damaging it though I did notice even on very loud scenes the woofers didn't appear to be moving all that much where as if memory serves the ED would have been pumping pretty good
-I love that this sub stays hidden in the back while watching tv until called upon; no annoying throaty sound like the ed always had calling attention to itself no matter the gain level
-some bubbling issue around the plate amp might be Epik QC problem
-also now that the sub is in place and I've had some time with it I almost wish I saved for a Submersive as it looks so small in that spot compared to the A5-350, plus I would have more output and better extension; I guess if I wasn't so impatient I would've avoided all the previous subs, saved and gone straight to that beast from the start
-very tight bass all around, just great for music; I thought it was fantastic in many ways for movies; my brother was missing the throatier thump and slower decay of the ported for movies; again maybe I'm not turning it up enough but alas they do sound quite different
So in summation, I can't say I love THIS sub but I really love this SOUND and if I move on from here it will definitely be another sealed sub. Dual woofer most likely such as Submersive, CHT or DIY even perhaps. I'm keeping this one for a while and I'm sure it can be dialed in to perform even better.
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Post by flamingeye on Oct 5, 2011 9:05:37 GMT -5
That sub looks like it’s to close to the wall I would pull it out 2 to 3 feet away from that wall the one with the window |
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