Soundstream BX-10 Bass Machine or Audiocontrol Epicenter

3stagevtec

Anyone have any experience with any of these products? Im considering the soundstream for use with two Pioneer 12s...

I just did a search for the epicenter in this forum and got some info BUT now i'm not sure if to buy the bx10 or not. Some guys were saying that it doesn't sound natural, didn't like the way it sounded etc. Then some were saying it really makes your system thump.
For just listening and not competing, what would you all (those who have tried it) recommend...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...
ReneR

trini_ravi · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:14 pm Post subject:

i owned an epi and i can tell you it gives out mean low bass.

it takes in the original music and 'retunes' it lower. hence the 'non natural' bass claims.

it depends on what you want...

i love the 6 months i had my epi till i got fedup of the low bass...

oh and if you ur using an epi make shure you tune to the frequency of the subsonic filter.

(...Rovin...) · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject:

i glad some1 ^^^ posted coz i too wanted 2 kno about d EPI , never bothered 2 try it b4 but always wanted to .

From ur post i figure its worth it then coz i like my looooooow bass ........ #Fade in

Lance · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:51 pm Post subject:

The epicenter and the BX10 are similar units

they are bass restoration units if i remember correctly

it suppose to restore bass frequencies that are supposedly lost in recording ,it delays the music and does its work restoring ur bass freqencies
to give ur bassline that extra tump

3stagevtec · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:30 am Post subject:

Im gonna purchase the Soundstream BX-10 either this evening or tomorrow (Saturday). The epicenter is just to much $$$. I wanted the epicenter (since they hold the patents etc) but im goin with the soundstream. After i install it i'll post a review on it's performance.

Thanks for the replys
ReneR

33 hertz · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:19 pm Post subject:

how much does the BX - 10 cost?

Lance · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:44 pm Post subject:

about 700 or so new brand

trini_ravi · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:49 pm Post subject:

uh could get ah used epi for the same price...

Sully · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:49 pm Post subject:

Another option that's not quite the same is MaxxBass 103, made by Waves.

See the website:
www.wavescaraudio.com

SR · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:48 am Post subject:

its not the same
it works on harmonics

pioneer · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:25 am Post subject:

SR you still have the maxxbass in stock by chance ?

Sully · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:37 am Post subject:

I know that it's not the same, but it's probably worth trying as an alternative to the epicenter. The percieved result should be close, according to the theory.

silent_riot · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:46 am Post subject:

I think the epi adds lower fundamental notes and is more appropriate for subs
The maxxbass adds higher fundamental notes and is more appropriate for midbasses
That's jus from what ive read

pioneer · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject:

also i heard for the epi or bx-10....make sure is not no "small" wattage sub you using...it could blow ur subs

3stagevtec · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:16 am Post subject:

The BX-10 is $800 in Sando. I installed it Saturday... and hated it! Seriously, it didnt sound like i expected it to. 1st, the Soundstream doesn't come with a manual nor is there one available on the Internet. So, i used the manual for the Epicenter i downloaded. Then, it sounds as though there is NO mid-bass... and during one song, i wasn't hearing any bass at all!! I dont know why. Maybe i adjusted it wrong or something but certain ranges (mid-bass) were completely missing. Did anyone else experience this???

Now, this thing really makes your system thump!!! I had the volume at 1/3 of what i usually play my system and i can max out the subs! The bass it produces is EXTREMELY LOW and really sounds great, that i liked. You should have at least a decent pair of 12s to use this product, otherwise it wont work for you.

The Low bass it produces is really awsome BUT the lack of certain mid-bass frequencies really puts it back in my book. I sent it back that same day and took the Soundstream MPQ-6XO instead. It's a four band parametric equalizer with 10V RMS output and adjustable frequency boost ranges. This product on the other hand made my system much more alive and the 18dB boost for the sub range (selectable between 20-70Hz!) makes it thump also.

If you are really into quality audio, dont buy the BX-10, go for a good equalizer instead. If rediculously excursion, ground pounding, car alarm tripping bass is your style, then this is your product...
ReneR

SR · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:23 am Post subject:

maxbass is what you should have used

didnt comment on this post
wanted to see what everyone's opinion is on the products first
and let people see for themselves how products are marketed falsy just to get sales

download and read the manula for the epicentre from audio control
there is no way it can be compared to the soundstream/power acoustic product hence the price difference

the epi samples bass notes at higher frequencies and then recreates the same not a few octaves down

the maxbass only recreates the upper harmonics of the lower frequencies thus creating the perception of lower bass response without the speaker actually having to reproduce the lower frequency so there is no over excusion or increase in power requirements

go to waves website for the white paper on this chip

33 hertz · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:38 am Post subject:

IMHO maxx bass is really just overhype and marketing as well. When the directed guys were lecturing us they made it sound really cool like if u have one 10" the maxx bass would make it sound like 2 instead. However when i actually got to experiment with it i was really disappointed. For mid bass its effect was pretty decent. It helped you hear a little more bass from the front stage without causing the mid woofer to bottom out or rattle in fact the speakers moved alomost the same with and without the maxx bass (however there was not any great impovement to get excited over). When i tried it on bass i was also very disappointed the bass sounded just a little bit louder but did not hit or shake like how i expected it to sound. It was no where near the sound of a pair of 10". Maybe it was the way i adjusted it but i sat for hours playing up with different settings so i highly doubt. In the end i prefer to spend a little more on a proper eq as it would make a bigger difference.

33 hertz · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:46 am Post subject:

Thw epi however made a huge differnce to my system. The lows were sick! when used with songs with a normally high bass line. However the effect on songs with an already low bass line was horrable! it sounded like the sub was just moving alot of air with no output and it caused the amplifiers to clip very easily. In all you have to be very carefull with the unit wheather you have big or small subs with very little power you can screw them up if you dunno what you doing. The unit is supposed to be inactive when the level is at minimum however mine did not do this. Therefore i took it out. If i can get one that has the option of being on or off i would definitely put it back but its really not pratical for all types of music or systems. In the end its really a matter of preference.

(...Rovin...) · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:15 pm Post subject:

good contribution fellars ... Smile

so in conclusion 2 this thread if some1 was thinking about getting 1 of these devices , then hands down d EPICENTRE is d 1 to get rite ?????????????......... Neutral

SR · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:34 pm Post subject:

depends if you are into soudn quality i would go witht he maxxbass
once set up correclty it will make your doors sound like they have subs in them