Dr Spec & svs subs

dholmes

Need info on svs subs, are they boomy,are they video sheilded, what kind of woof is in them ? I have 2 older Acoustic research woofs one works the other dont, they have the sunfire amps. They put out the power but sound boomy to me.You seem & others to love svs, I am interested in the pb2 plus or the smaller one. Also is the woof got soft rubber surrounds or that stiff foam? I know I have a lot of questions so thanks

faster100

I know i'm not Dr. Spec.. but in the mean while... this is what ive heard and think... First off they are not boomy... (from what ive read and heard) I don;t think someone like Dr.Spec who is highly knowledgable with subs and bass would have a sub that was boomy or anyless than satisfing(sp) with that said, I am getting a Pb1-isd this week and based my purchase almost soley on dr.specs thoughts and reccomendations.. I trust his word that much. chooseing between the Pb1 and pb2 is like apples and oranges, The Pb1 is a great sub and will handle small to medium rooms with ease, however the Pb2 is a large step up with 3 tuning ports, larger amp and i think 2 drivers versus the one in the Pb1, Its for medium to large rooms and would make most people happy and content however i view that as a more advanced sub with more control and power and thus a step above the base line sub.. So model depends on room size more so then cost and model level.. I know spec will give you all the info you need to get you started dreaming of world class bass,, until then check out www.svsubwoofers.com and do a search on the board for svs or subs or specs posts that will have plenty of recent chatter about the SV subwoofers.. good luck and i hope this helped you alittle more...

Dr. Spec

You rule Faster - nice work.

Oh, they are not video shielded and I would not plop one right next to a regular tube TV. Projection TV is fine.

You will NOT be disappointed in even the "baseline" subs with the ISD (Improved Standard Driver). They sound and perform much better than similar priced big name OEM competition.

dholmes

Thanks faster100, my internet sux & cant get to svs site. My room is 12x22x8 (half of a garage) wonder if that is med to large size? thanks again.

Dr. Spec

Originally posted by dholmes
Thanks faster100, my internet sux & cant get to svs site. My room is 12x22x8 (half of a garage) wonder if that is med to large size? thanks again.

In that case, the surrounds are santoprene and you are into Plus territory in that size room.

PC-Plus
CS-Plus
PB1-Plus
Pb2-Plus

dholmes

Thanks again, Wonder why a hi end co like svs didnt use video shield? Does your sub have the 2 12 in subs?

Dr. Spec

Originally posted by dholmes
Thanks again, Wonder why a hi end co like svs didnt use video shield? Does your sub have the 2 12 in subs?

You can't video shield a monster magnet like that. Hardly any subs are video shielded and they usually aren't placed on/near TVs anyway, like a center channel would be. Yes, my sub has two 12" dB-12 Plus drivers.

I moved my sub yesterday because it creased the screen in my HDTV; it's simply too powerful to set next to the TV, so I corner loaded it a few feet away. It still shakes the screen, but not as badly.

Doc

afl

Not to disagree with the good Doc, but I have my SVS PCi 20-39 only about 10 inches from my TV.

I asked the SVS folks about this before I purchaced it and Tom V. said:"Is the tv on a stand of some type? As long as it was (at least)12-16"off the floor I don't think you'll run into any problems at all."

My set is at least 24" off the floor - I haven't had any problem. And I wouldn't describe the sound as boomy. The sound is frightening...

Dr. Spec

Well, that means the TV tube is at least 36" from the magnet since your set is 24" from the floor and the sub is 10" from the TV and SVS uses a bottom mounted driver. That should be plenty to prevent mag interference.

I would imagine if you plopped it right next to the tube, it might warp the image as the mag field is rather strong. And some TVs have a degauss function and others don't.

afl

Right you are...the tube is at least 3 feet from the driver.

Dr. Spec

Originally posted by afl
The sound is frightening...

How about a more complete description of what you like about the SVS sound for music and HT and how it compared to the sub it replaced.

There are several would be buyers on the forum who value getting several opinions from different owners. A general consensus is better than a single champion.

Doc

afl

The SVS is my first sub. I put my HT system together gradually over the past year (I'll be picking up a pair of FXi50's in a few weeks). Before I picked up the SVS I was just running the RTi70 on full (with bass mgt. on "no sub") and was getting, quite frankly, pretty decent bass out of them. The room is about 20' x 11' with a 7' ceiling.

I did a LOT of research on subs...I didn't (like most people) have a lot to spend, so I didn't want to make a mistake. Anyway, long story short, the SVS was only about $600 or so, and goes lower than anything in that price range (it goes lower than anything in double that price range, truthfully), with all the punch and authority that I could use (as it is, I can't use it when the lady upstairs is home...she says everything on her shelves jump around!). And I have my bass signal on -4.

Frightening? It's visceral. And we're not talking "boom" here...we're talking solid, deep, fearless, authoritative, bedrock bass that adds another dimension to the HT experience. It stays strong and true right down to the bottom - the famous LOTR "ring-drop" sounds like someone dropped a bulldozer in the next room. It's a whole other world down there...

AFL

Dr. Spec

Originally posted by afl


....the SVS was only about $600 or so, and goes lower than anything in that price range (it goes lower than anything in double that price range, truthfully), with all the punch and authority that I could use

Frightening? It's visceral. And we're not talking "boom" here...we're talking solid, deep, fearless, authoritative, bedrock bass that adds another dimension to the HT experience. It stays strong and true right down to the bottom - the famous LOTR "ring-drop" sounds like someone dropped a bulldozer in the next room. It's a whole other world down there...

AFL

Are you getting this, folks? SVS is the BASS AUTHORITY.

faster100

Ok enough of this SVS stuff!!!! OK

I have one on the way and your making it way to hard to wait for it, I can't wait.. and that's an understatment.. I have although tried several subs so this will be great!! I have used a psw1200 JBL 12" sub, a Polk psw202,404, Tried a 303 and a 450 at the store. So i think i have steadily moved up, Now this should be my last sub for awhile.. and for my small room the Pb2 WON"T be in my future, No need until we move and buy a new and larger home.. which may be as early as next year!!

kberg

Originally posted by afl
Not to disagree with the good Doc, but I have my SVS PCi 20-39 only about 10 inches from my TV.

I asked the SVS folks about this before I purchaced it and Tom V. said:"Is the tv on a stand of some type? As long as it was (at least)12-16"off the floor I don't think you'll run into any problems at all."

My set is at least 24" off the floor - I haven't had any problem. And I wouldn't describe the sound as boomy. The sound is frightening...

afl,

This is VERY good to hear, since (1) I plan on purchasing a 20-39 PCi in the next 2-3 weeks, (2) the base of my 32" tube TV is 33" off the ground, (3) the sub will go directly behind the TV in a corner, and (4) my room size is close to your room size. So, I'm now REALLY looking forward to getting this sub. Thanks also for your thoughts/review on your SVS sub.

VTHokies

After much searching through websites, forums, magazines, and fortune cookies from the local Chinese restaurant, I came to the conclusion that there is not a single person who has anything negative to say about the sound quality of SVS (its appearance is another matter). Based on the ample supply of reviews, I bit the bullet and bought a PC+ 20-39, largely because of the support and backing Dr. Spec has of this brand. So I bought it to go along with my RTi70s, FXi50s, and CSi40, powered by a Harman Kardon avr525 in a 20x11x9 room, and at half power, it shakes the house down. But you aren't buying a subwoofer for the "California Experience", you want it to be tight, and flat, and not bottom out when you are pushing it the most. The PC+20-39 can do all of that and more, and for cheaper than other big name subwoofers. You really can't go wrong with this subwoofer, unless you are in an apartment. In which case I'm sure your neighbors will be calling.

Dr. Spec

Originally posted by VTHokies
...in a 20x11x9 room, and at half power, it shakes the house down......

....you want it to be tight, and flat, and not bottom out when you are pushing it the most. The PC+20-39 can do all of that and more, and for cheaper than other big name subwoofers......

You really can't go wrong with this subwoofer....

For those of you old enough to remember..."Hey Mikey....he likes it!"

Tight, flat, house shaking power that doesn't cry Uncle when it gets hairy - all for less $$.

Hmm..do I sense a recurring theme here??

burdette

Another thing about shielding is that ... at least on my older 26" Toshiba... it even depends on which side of the TV is in question. I shielded my Monitor 7Cs, and they are on stands. The TV is on a stand, so that the top of the mains is maybe 10" or so below the top of the set. I built a center into the TV stand, under the TV. I have no problems AT ALL on the left side of the TV. The main can be close. Also no problem from the home-shielded center drivers on the left side. But the right side of the TV, that is a problem. I've had to scoot the TV way forward AND raise it up to get away from the right-side 6.5incher... and had to scoot the right main further away.. or else I get problems with color in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. The sub is also on the right side, and I could not place it next to the TV... I had to scoot it away. I'd probably agree with the 3' distance.. something like that for my single 12" driver.

ALSO.. it depends a LOT on the orientation of the magnet... i.e. the angle between the plane of the magnet and the TV. I've wondered if my shielding would be perfectly sufficient if I built a separate cabinet and put the center on top rather than underneath. Shielding/interference is really pretty quirky.

dholmes

Is there a way to make a sheild to stop interference from a sub ? If I order the svs. thanks

rayzor_jon

Being a bass-head, and a moderately educated audio-enthusiast, I have a question for you more experienced and knowledgable connisuers of subwoofers. I am running a PSW650 and a PSW1200 in each corner of my large HT room. Would I be able to get a SVS sub for around a grand that would sound better than my current setup?

I don't mind the size and weight of the subs I have, but I do love to rock out to serious bass and serious SPL's. I use my system for both movies and music, and am uncertian about a sub that is tuned to 25Hz or below, as I don't think most music goes that low.

Was looking around and considering a 16-46PC-Plus. Any comments?

Thanks in advance!

Too much bass is never enough

Mike Reeter

Rayzor,I'm certainly not a "connisuer" of Subs. But,if you would e-mail SVS with your room size and layout, and your listening level preference,you will get a reply within a few hours...

SVS will not try to oversell you,they are the "connisuers" of Subs.

dave shepard

I can honestly say that the talks with the Doc about my sub needs have lead me to making the SVS upgrade. After I recieved it and hooked it up I knew as soon as I seen the crate it was delivered in I made a true upgrade and was in a different league of HT with one simple purchase. My room size is 19x25x9 and the PB2+ not only shakes the whole room but shakes the whole 2 story house!!! What a thrill!!! The SVS makes very smooth and powerfull bass compare it to a gas truck pulling a load to a diesel truck pulling the same load the diesel will pull the moment the accelerator is pushed at lower RPM's, there is just no comparison between them for raw grunting power.


Dave

Dr. Spec

the 16-46 is probably the worst choice for most people in large rooms who listen to popular music and HT.

It has the least output potential of the Plus cylinders in exchange for genuine 12-13 Hz extension (in the stock tune!) in most rooms. Unless you listen to 32 foot pipe organ music all the time, the 16-46 cylinder is almost tuned too low.

If you want to dust your current arrangement (which is quite a bit of subbage actually), then you would need a PB2+. Don't even think twice about the 25 Hz tune point beng too high - in the stock tune this sub will dig to a genuine, extremely clean 21-22 Hz at ridiculous volumes - something most subs can only dream about. Plug a port, and you are looking at true 15-16 Hz extension without much loss in output.

In my 2000 ft3 room, here's what the PB2+ is capable of at the seat, 3 meters away:

110 dB @ 25 Hz @ 3 meters = 1.14% THD (stock tune config.)

That is a staggeringly good performance - most subs struggle to even play 25 Hz, much less at 110 dB with 1% distortion. It is hard to describe how powerful, clean, dynamic, and effortless this sub is unless you hear one for yourself.

Also, another PB2+ owner over at AVS recently tested one in a 5700 ft3 room at 1 meter and held THD to 5% and the PB2+ turned in eyeball flattening readings of about 120-123 dB from like 20 Hz to 60 Hz.

What all this means is that at normal, sane playback volumes, the PB2+ is loafing with ultra clean, uncompressed, world class bass that flat buries anything near its asking price. The PB2+ is a giant killer at $1200; it's the hottest piece of sub real estate going and SVS can't make enough of them to keep up with demand. It would by my choice in the $1200 class - hands down.

Doc

TheMaster

Just want let you guys know that I spoke with Eric from SVS today to cancel my order on the PC Ultra. On the other hand, in two weeks time (roughly estimating), PB2+ will be sitting in my living room to do some serious shaking . I am sure that two weeks is worth waiting for.

Glenn

Dr. Spec

If both are set to the 20 Hz tune, a PB2+ will have a 4-5 dB advantage over a PC-Ultra from >23 Hz.

From 16-23 Hz it will be a lot closer, but the advantage still goes to the PB2+.

If you set the PB2+ to the 25 Hz tune, you will obviously lose the really deep stuff in the 16-21 Hz region (due to the high pass/subsonic filter kicking in).

But suffice it to say, >23 Hz, the PB2+ in the 25 Hz tune will stomp out a nearly 6 dB advantage over a single PC-Ultra.

The only thing SVS makes that can beat a PB2+ is the $2400 powered PB2-Ultra, the $2400 dual co-located PC-Ultra's, or the passive $2500 B4-Plus (requires an external amp). Everything else is just left in the dust.

Doc

Ceruleance

Originally posted by Dr. Spec

The only thing SVS makes that can beat a PB2+ is the $2400 powered PB2-Ultra, the $2400 dual co-located PC-Ultra's, or the passive $2500 B4-Plus (requires an external amp). Everything else is just left in the dust.

So when are you upgrading Doc?