****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I have been an audio nut for as long as I can remember and became aware of Earthquake Sound in the 90s in the car audio market. They have always been known for making solid products at reasonable prices, so when I saw the CP8, I was intrigued.I originally bought one a few years ago to compliment my computer audio system which consists of a Peachtree Audio Decco2 integrated amplifier and D5 bookshelf speakers, as well as Sennheiser HD 650 headphones for when I need to be a little quieter. This system cost a couple of thousand dollars all told, even after "bargain" shopping, which puts me into "He's clearly crazy!" category for my friends, but "mid-fi" category for audiophiles. Hopefully, this gives you an idea of my audio experience for this review.This sub fits perfectly in the cavernous foot well of my over-sized desk, and since it and my desk are both black, it blends in very well. It gets a substantial low bass boost, similar to corner loading, because of my foot well, but doesn't get too boomy as a result, which surprised me to be honest. It plays low enough that it will cover all but the most infrasonic of music, and in my small office, will energize the room with bass quite nicely, especially when sitting right on top of it at my desk. This system sounds phenomenal to me while seated at my desk (which is the most important thing)...but the bass quality varies dramatically around in the room due to its placement in the foot well.Given its excellent performance in my desktop system, I decided to get one for my office "home theater." My significant other wanted my "ugly speakers" out of the living room. Surprisingly, I was able to talk my way into keeping the sub...whew! So, I recently replaced those old speakers with in-ceiling surround sound (GoldenEar HTR 7000...another highly recommended product!). I re-purposed the old ones to my office and needed a sub. With the lack of space in my office, I bought a new CP8 to go behind the love seat, and it sounds wonderful, as I knew it would. It goes plenty deep, shakes the love seat nicely during explosions, and fills the room with bass.This won't replace my giant 15" sub and couch bass shakers in my primary home theater (how I was able to talk the S.O. into keeping those, I don't know!), it's a small 8" woofer after all. It's designed as an auxiliary sub to be placed right next to the listener in order to provide a similar tactile sensation as the bass shakers in bigger rooms and systems, but performs well enough that it can also be used in smaller situations like my office as the primary sub. Use it as designed immediately next to your listening position and it will perform excellently!
