Epic 80 Conclusion
Here's the bottom line. I feel that the Epic 80 system is worthy of designating as a movie theater killer. I mean this. I would be happier sitting at home watching movies on this system than visiting the local theater. Here's why: The Epic 80 gives you better directional panning than most theater systems, so special effects and pans are coming from where they should be, not generally oriented for the dynamics of a general audience. I sit directly in the center of my home theater and know that when a plane flies overhead, it will fly overhead. Movie theaters have to concern themselves with providing an audio experience to a group of 85 Ð 250 people, depending upon the size of the theater.
Having mixed sound for television and designed audio for films, and having sent stems to the dubbing stage, I am familiar with the average size of a film mixing suite. With the exception of Skywalker Sound, most are set up more akin to a home theater than a large movie theater auditorium. Like a dubbing stage, at home I set up the sweet spot and the sound is custom tailored to me. It is more like the directors and producers (not to mention the sound designers) intended than when viewing in a poorly-maintained or inadequately-designed movie theater.
Do I still go out to see movies? You betcha. Not all theaters are as horrible as I put forth, and you will generally have the best ones mapped out in your area. I can honestly say, however, that films are typically much more enjoyable at home, especially when fed through my LCD projector and displayed on the big screen. With a system like the Axiom Audio Epic 80 handling the soundtrack, I can sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the feature presentation.
The Score Card
The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:
Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating
Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.
Audioholics Rating Scale
— Excellent
- — Very Good
- — Good
- — Fair
- — Poor
| Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| Build Quality | |
| Appearance | |
| Treble Extension | |
| Treble Smoothness | |
| Midrange Accuracy | |
| Bass Extension | |
| Bass Accuracy | |
| Imaging | |
| Soundstage | |
| Dynamic Range | |
| Performance | |
| Value | |
