SVS PB1+ ... It's here.

pjdami · February 2004

It left Ohio on Wed. 2/18 and was delivered Friday 2/20. Still can't believe how fast that was.

The quality of the shipment, product worksmanship / build, and sound exceeds my expectations. I can't believe this sub only costs a little over a grand.

No, I haven't busted water pipes or shattered windows or knocked stuff off the wall. It is really tame and mild mannered actually (still breaking her in). Its just clean and deep bass that you can feel rather than hear so much. Blends in effortlessly with the LSi 15s and keeps up with the pace no problems.

Doc isn't preaching **** when he recommends this product. It's the real deal as far as I'm concerned for the price.

I've done some preliminary sweep tests and in the 20 hz tune configuration its flat to 20 hz and - 3 db at about 17 hz. Have a little peak that I need to tame with the Parametric EQ. Read the instructions (very excellent instruction manual) and seems easy enough to do.

Here are some pictures.

pjdami · February 2004

another next to the LSi 15.

pjdami · February 2004

a shot of the controls and better detail of the woodwork:

pjdami · February 2004

closer shot of the controls. The PEQ is turned off by setting it at the MIN setting.

polkatese · February 2004

Whoa! very nice, Paul! Congrats!

Thanks for the pics, especially the one with the 15, now I know how it looks next to it (for visualizing the size impact)

So, is it going to your HT system, right? I would be very interested to read your reviews.

I would replace the power cord with a SC Magic Power cord, if it's me, just a quick observation

(did you borrow Tony's before to test it out)?

Is the purpose of the parameter EQ mainly to tame notches in your room? I am curious if it's comparable to the B&K notch filter feature.

Again, awesome furniture-grade finish...gosh!

Btw, if you could tested it out with your two channel system also, and let us know how it blends with the LSi, I'd appreciated very much.

Have fun tweaking, if your weather forecast is like mine this weekend, it would be perfect timing and opportunity to stay indoor - I say tweak-away, bud!

Thanks...

Dr. Spec · February 2004

A PEQ will have three controls:

1) Gain
2) Frequency
3) Notch Width

The notch allows you to control how wide or narrow (I think up to an octave) you want the effect to occur.

PEQ is best for eliminating a room induced peak in the response. Eliminating nulls is better off done with the phase control and placement.

Actually, if you know what you are doing, enabling the low pass filter on the sub can help tame a peak in the 60-90 Hz region. Normally this filter should be disabled if your speaks are set to small, but it can be a good tool in the right hands - almost like a second (albeit less sophisticated) PEQ.

- 3 dB at 17 Hz is excellent for not having a corner loading. Try different positions. Also experiment with the phase control - it can have a big effect on the overall curve, not just at the xo - I know this from countless RTA sweeps and experiments.

Try the 25 Hz tune - the sub will breathe nicely with all three ports open. If you corner load, the 25 Hz setting should be flat to 22 Hz.

Doc

Dr. Spec · February 2004

The quality of the shipment, product worksmanship / build, and sound exceeds my expectations. I can't believe this sub only costs a little over a grand.

Can you say REL Stentor III beater? I can: SVS PB1-Plus.

pjdami · February 2004

Thanks PT and Doc.

PT, I actually ordered the parts from Parts Express to make my own Magic Power Cord. Marinco plugs and Carol three conductor 10 gauge power cable. I also did a DIY Audio Asylum Bob Crump design power cord that you can order the parts for $25 shipped from red cobra cables. A little experimentation here before I decide if its worth the upgrade to better power cables which are a LOT more expensive.

Yes, this SVS will be solely the HT sub. The Hsu STF-2 will be moved to the office two channel rig.

The PEQ's Q control is in 0.1 increment octave adjustments. This determines how wide the correction will be. The level control is the amount of attenuation on the signal located at the center of the frequency. The freq control is the adjustment for the center point of the cut.

I have attached a plot showing the three subs that I have in my possesion right now. The SVS was calibrated using Avia whereas the STF-2 and the PSW-350 were calibrated with S&V and I didn't redo the data for those two curves. All three subs were placed in the same exact location for the tests.

One can see how the SVS easily digs deeper than the two other subs in the graph. Looks like I might even have some room gain with the way the SVS peaks at 20 hz which is the tune point. The SVS is at 0 deg phase setting. When I tried the 180 deg phase setting at the equivalent volume on the receiver I lost about 7 db at 80 hz (freq where the mains and the sub are playing the same and the xover freq).

One thing I don't understand is after I set the volume on the receiver for a 85 db reading at 100 hz (first test tone) why the sudden drop off? Am I undercalibrating the sub? Seems like it wants to run at about 80 db for all three subs.

Loud & Clear · February 2004

Looks flat to about 18Hz if I'm seeing that graph correctly.

danger boy · February 2004

beautiful sub man.. you are lucky.. it's amazing looking I think. nice woodwork.

welcome to the SVS club of happy sub owners.

pjdami · February 2004

L & C,

Here's the raw data below 25 hz.

hz db
=== ===
25.1 79.0
23.7 80.7
22.4 84.3
21.1 85.0
20 84.5
18.8 83.7
17.8 79.2
16.8 76.7

I was kind of eyeballing it too. I started off at 100 hz at 85 db and end up at 85 db at the tune point (w/ the SVS). The rest of the way in between they all look like they want to meander around 80 hz.

So I'm not sure if I have multiple room nulls and that's why I'm going off of 85 hz from the get - go or maybe I'm calibrating wrong. At least I'm somewhat consistent

Just by listening I can't really tell that I have small humps / dips. I know for sure that the SVS digs deeper and has more authority than the two other subs. This was apparent on the organ music I was breaking it in on today. She sounds a bit looser after playing continiously today so I'll run another sweep this evening.

DB,

Thanks man. It took me a year to assemble everything and I went through a lot of gear and actually wound up with two rigs by accident through experimentation. I got a lot of great input and help from people on the forum.

I've worked and saved hard for it so its my reward to myself.

Next project will be to rearrange the living room and make a few drops through the walls so that I can get out of this corner loaded setup I have.

Paul

HBombToo · February 2004

a slow breakin is very smart. I still can't believe my duals keep up with the demands of SACD! I'm sure you have been converted;) and congrats,

HBomb

Dr. Spec · February 2004

While at first blush one would assume that the phase control position that provides the most reinforcement at the xo is the correct one.

However, I have found that the phase control can affect the entire response curve in ways I would never imagined had I not tried it.

While it might be time consuming with manual test tones, do try different phase positions, like 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180. My PB2+ suddely fell into a sweet spot at around 110 degrees and the curve flattened out in a way I would have never imagined.

That 35 Hz peak is perfect for the PEQ to tackle. I'd jump all over that too.

Doc

pjdami · February 2004

Will do Doc. I did configure it in the 25 hz tune as you recommended and found a noticeable increase in bass response for music below 50 hz. I checked the FR curve in the manual and the 25 hz tune looks to have a 2 - 3 db advantage for the most part below 50 hz (until one gets to 25 hz of course).

I was listening to the Cranberries "No Need to Argue" cd this morning and the last track "No Need to Argue" has an awesome sounding organ track on there. Needless to say it added an entire new dimension to listening to that song. Not so much for the lyrics or anything but the organ is impressive. Felt like I was in church or something.

Yes, the FR are time consuming and at one point one just says forgetaboutit and just listen to the music and enjoy. I'm 100% certain that the calibration is correct. I don't have the professional gear that you have for doing the sweeps / tweaking but I'll have some time in the next few days for more tweaking with the phase setting and positioning.

Dr. Spec · February 2004

I know for sure that the SVS digs deeper and has more authority than the two other subs.

I'll say........check the 20 Hz data with the PB1+ in the 20 Hz tune:

PB1+: 85 dB
STF-2: 70 dB
PSW350: 60 dB

Play the scene in Gladiator dts where the tiger knocks Maximus to the ground - there is a pretty big 20 Hz aftershock that the STF-2 totally misses on that scene (yes, I've tested one in-house).

Doc

dorokusai · February 2004

PJ is in the He-Man Club of Sub's....ugh, I may have to move that up on the list of priorities.

Excellent choice PJ have fun!

TonyPTX · February 2004

disposable income....:D

Toss a 6-pack in the fridge and pile up the movies cause I'm coming over this weekend. It's time I get my demo on w/ other people's money

Anthony

SVS PB1+ ... It's here.

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