Do I really need a epicenter ?

[OldHeadBASS]

I've got a Audio control lc7i with acu bass restoration. Do I need a epicenter too ?

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[mahc 10+ year member]

No unless you need more than 6 channels. If you have full range going into your lc7i it's definitely not worth it.

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

I've got a Audio control lc7i with acu bass restoration. Do I need a epicenter too ?

The Epicenter digitally creates missing low-frequency information from the source material (re-creates it digitally and reintroduces it into the program material) while the Accubass corrects OEM output that intentionally rolls off low frequencies from the HU.

These are two distinctly different things.

Even if the HU provides a full range of signals, it won't create a low end that is missing from the recording, such as you find in older rock from the late 50s, 60s, and 70s recordings.

So there are advantages to using both, depending on the application and your listening preferences.

 

[CHenry1]

Thanks!

 

[shredder1 10+ year member]

Can I add some advice to epicenter users?

40hz prefab tuning is where most music "beats", and with a prefab that's fine w/o an epicenter as long as you're not asking much down low. Running an epicenter is usually for those fat lows... correct?
With an Epicenter think of a 1/4 octave bass boost beginning 10hz under tuning, well past any 40hz tuned ported boxes unloading point and imagine what that FAT sound does to your subwoofers suspension with no cone control.

My advice is to tune for that 1/4 octave below tuning "IE" 40hz center frequency should be paired with an enclosure tuned 30hz. There is a reason most subs in an enclosure /w/ a sealed section just naturally has longevity with an epicenter unless clipped to death. There's another reason some subs in enclosures /w/ a vented section last and others do not.

Either way its user error imo... good luck with that warranty... haha

 

[Jimi77 Premium Member]

Epicenters were originally to restore sub bass that was removed from recordings in the vinyl days. On vinyl, they had to remove/reduce sub bass to prevent the needle from jumping out of the groove. I don't think it serves much purpose today when we have gobs of power and digital recordings and cabin gain. Plus as shredder mentioned, you don't want to unload your sub and destroy it with frequencies below port tuning. Even sealed subs are at risk if you're going to hit them with boosted ultra low frequencies. If you're looking for "slam" ~35-50hz is the sweet spot.

 

[OldHeadBASS]

I'm gonna pass on the epicenter. I don't need it.

 

[RobGMN Premium Member]

How did the Epicenter work when they were purely analog? Simply a notch EQ with boost control, or parametric EQ with a magic name?

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

The Epicenter restores bass by using patented technology to analyze music, find higher-frequency harmonics (like those around 100-350 Hz), and digitally recreate the original, missing low-frequency notes one octave lower, injecting them back into the audio signal for deeper, more impactful bass without just boosting frequencies or muddying the sound.

As a comparative, years ago, Pioneer patented a process called Lagato-Link for doing essentially the same thing, on their Elite CD players, except it was to recreate and reintroduce upper harmonics cut out by the absolute 20- 20K limitations that many of the first CD players had.

Both of these technologies use a digital algorithm to create the effect, which is delivered through analog outputs on both the Epicenter and the Pio units.

Interesting side note, the effects are lost when using the Pio's digital output.