Just an update
Did a rock show last night and the Growlers definitely got louder than my EV S-181's would. The subs sounded pretty good to me. They still aren't thumping my chest like I want, but I don't think I've gotten everything they have to give out of them yet.
I think the Growlers want more power than I'm using (PLX 2402 bridged running the 2 - 8 ohm Growlers chained together to get a 4 ohm load) Also still tweaking the Driverack. It's getting better, but there's still room for improvement. Wish I had a SMAART system!
I installed 2 modifications to the Growlers. Pole sockets, and Rubber feet. (and bought adjustable speaker poles)
The adjustable poles - $30 ea, and pole sockets - $8 ea, came from Mike Pyle at Audiopyle. The rubber feet, I got a while back from Parts Express.
I need rubber feet to raise up the cabinet enough that my 2-wheel cart will slide under it without having to tilt the 100 lb cabinet. (the less 100 lb lifts/tilts/shoves the better!) Also, the rubber feet protect floors from being scratched by the speakers.
Having my EV tops on poles was awesome. You could walk by them and not get your ears ripped off by the horns. (My old subs had a down-firing woofer placed in a way that made a pole socket impossibile)
Other than having the feet/pole cup included, the other change I would make to the design is to install casters something like this:
They'd be easy to install if the Growlers handles weren't there there. I think casters would be too close together if installed between the existing handles. One solution would be to move the handle in during manufacture so there would be room for the casters towards the outside edges.
The features I mentioned are to make my life easier, and have nothing to do with the sound of the Growlers. I think they sound good (and I'm also pretty sure they're capable or more than what I'm getting out of them)
I took some pics today.
Growlers w/EV tops on poles: