SVS decision

marcpam · September 2004

I am at the early stages of deciding whether or not to pursue a svs subwoofer. I am looking at the pb2+ and the pb2 ultra. The diff. that i see is the 100 watt diff. and the diff. drivers. Is it worth the extra money for one of the ultra's. Also, has anyone on these boards personally heard the diff. of these two. I would like any info. you can give me. I have done search upon search already. I have found some very good info., but none that refers to this, that i can find.

fgr41 · September 2004

Doc should pipe up with an answer, which will be ultra technical, in a few. At least you know your getting the best.

dave shepard · September 2004

Originally posted by marcpam
I am at the early stages of deciding whether or not to pursue a svs subwoofer. I am looking at the pb2+ and the pb2 ultra.

I would say that if your room size merets the PB series SVS then unless you are more coincerened with getting stained finished wood for the cabnet then the Ultra would be the way to go but if the black texured finish will work then for the (IMO) best bang for the buck I'd go with the PB2+, I really don't think that the extra 100w and the better drivers will make the average consumer see any differance. Carefull placement of the subs will yeild better then average performance results and I feel will make any movie experiance truely exciting and music that will show every bass note recorded without even breaking a sweat. For me given the black speakers I have the PB2+ was and still is the best choice w/no regreats or looking back. SVS makes on hell of a product and I recomend them highly.

Dave

marcpam · September 2004

my room size is 16.4 x 18.5.

Early B. · September 2004

my room size is 16.4 x 18.5.

Some people will say that you can't have overkill with a subwoofer. But here's my $0.02 -- Get the PB2-Plus. It will be far more than capable of giving you whatever you're looking for in a sub. For your room size, the Ultra ain't gonna matter much.

dave shepard · September 2004

With that size room I would stick to my suggestion. My room size is 19x25x9 and mine does quite well and the Doc's room I belive is not quite as big as mine and I think if it wasn't for the upgrade in the finish he may not have upgraded or at least as soon as he did, but he will have to comment on that one. You will be served a tremendous amt of quality in both sonic quality and service from SVS not to mention one hell of a manly feeling when you see and play it in your HT, then there's what your friends and loved ones will think

.

Dave

Dr. Spec · September 2004

I've owned both. The Ultra is worth it. It's a steal right now for $1700. The PB2+ rocks and is a great sub. But the Ultra simply stands alone.

The driver difference is two fold:

1) The VC is underhung and it provides a linear motor strength vs. excursion curve. Translation: It hits very hard at the limits.

2) The VC is 10-layer flat wound aluminum with ridiculously high thermal power handling (several thousand watts for 10 seconds). Translation: Under sustained heavy bass loads it will continue to provide better definition and precisely convey amplitude changes where other drivers will wilt from the heat and turn into mush.

This takes nothing away from the Plus; it's a great sub. But there's a reason the Ultra costs $600 more.

marcpam · September 2004

it looks as if i may look into the pb2 ultra. The price goes to 1999 on the first of Oct. If I do this, I may have to put off getting my rear surround. Just out of curiousity, would you guys go for the bigger sub or would you wait on the sub and get your surrounds.

dorokusai · September 2004

Get the subwoofer....surrounds are the easy part, and nothing will make you smile as much as bone crushing bass.

goingganzo · September 2004

no you cant have to much bass i have dual hi excurson 15 in a huge box. i am eather going with dual tulumunts or 4 av15 with about 2-3kwats aplyed i figure i will get around 130+db @20hz with it. ps it is cheaper to go big than to buy medum then upgrade to big later. but they do have a 30 day mbg so you can alway try the 2+ and if you dont like go for the ultra

dave shepard · September 2004

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
I've owned both. The Ultra is worth it. It's a steal right now for $1700. The PB2+ rocks and is a great sub. But the Ultra simply stands alone.

This takes nothing away from the Plus; it's a great sub. But there's a reason the Ultra costs $600 more.

*Goofed the edit*

dave shepard · September 2004

Originally posted by dave shepard
If going with the same finishes (which I belive wasn't avalible for the Ultra when first introduced), would the ultra provide the average/beginer HT inthusiest noticeable differances for HT? I was under the impression that the biggest differance was the cabnet finish and that the drivers added just slightly better performance.If (hypothetically cause I'm getting an amp next) I was to upgrade to the Ultra and set it up the same way I have mine now what noticeable improvement would I see? I feel as though I haven't begun to even come close to exceeding the limits of the +. The other thing is that after the intro period the price goes up and then the price margen becomes bigger, still worth the extra for the beginer or does it become a gotta have the biggest sorta thing, I would save the money and get a set of surrounds with the money you save since you say you don't have them this way you will have a complete HT. But one thing is for sure Doc would know better then I he got me to get mine and have not regretted it one bit.

Comments are not ment harshly so don't read into them as such.

My 2 cents
Good luck
Dave

EricH · September 2004

I've got a PB2+, and though I would have probably bought the Ultra if it had been available at $1799, I can't imagine needing more sub than this. I would have probably been fine with a PB1+. My room is 24' x 19' x 8' room, and normally listen at -10 to -15 below reference.

Whether you buy the PB2-ISD, Plus or Ultra, you will have an excellent amount of wonderful deep bass. Just buy what you want and you'll be happy in the long run.

faster100 · September 2004

Yes, I have the Pb2-isd and its a super sub.. although im in a really small room.. all 3 options are fantastic!! get the best for your buck, or if you have the extra cash upgrade and get better drivers and more wattage.. they will all 3 do the job just each one will do it a bit better and more accurate as you move up.

Good luck,

Dr. Spec · September 2004

There is a noticeable difference between the two subs, and my comments above pretty much cover it. No one who has ever upgraded to a TV-12 has regretted it. My first experience (posted here) with the TV-12 way back when I heard a CS-Ultra in Buffalo at Todd Peter's place, has not changed.

It's not so much about the 1-2 dB more output capability, it's about the way the TV-12 delivers the goods. It hits harder and with more definition and it lifts and separates notes better, especially when things get heavy and complex and there is a lot of stuff being fed to the subwoofer.

Some people might liken it to the difference between a regular vette and the Z06. They are both awesome; the Z06 is just awesome-er. :cool:

marcpam · September 2004

this is not what i wanted to hear. Now you really got me thinking about the ultra when I could save the money and go with the +. I just don't want buyers remorse.

dorokusai · September 2004

You should buy the biggest subwoofer you can afford, stop BS'n

This is coming from someone who is more than happy with his lil' PB1-ISD. I've heard the PB2+ and it's pretty hardcore....but my next would definetly be the Ultra. I'm tired of playing this silly upgrade game.

marcpam · September 2004

I have made up my mind. Or should I say, my wife made up my mind for me. She is ok with the idea of the PB2 Ultra. She in fact, wanted to get the custom stain finish, but I think black would go with my polks better. No more BS'n out of me, I am going to contact Erick tomorrow and get him to lock me in on the 1799 deal on the Ultra. No more upgrades for me after this purchase, sub anyway.

dave shepard · September 2004

Originally posted by marcpam
I have made up my mind. Or should I say, my wife made up my mind for me. She is ok with the idea of the PB2 Ultra. She in fact, wanted to get the custom stain finish, but I think black would go with my polks better. No more BS'n out of me, I am going to contact Erick tomorrow and get him to lock me in on the 1799 deal on the Ultra. No more upgrades for me after this purchase, sub anyway.

****!!!!

Just kidding. Congrats on your choice you would have made a good choice with either one, trust me, and buyers remorse, I don't think you would have had, they are both winners and make the HT experiance that much more enjoyable. Now who wants to buy mine......
Somehow I really don't think the other half would ever understand why I need more sub then I have now especally with the undesided amp issue.

Congrats again
Dave

Tour2ma · September 2004

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
It's a steal right now for $1700.

Dr. Spec · October 2004

Looks like Tour took the plunge, too. :cool:

Tour2ma · October 2004

Doc's moving in with Martha for acting on inside information...

Dr. Spec · October 2004

I just naturally assumed that your dancing guys in the sunglasses were a visual metaphor for: "yep, I agree with Doc, it's a steal right now and I also took the plunge and I'm celebrating yet another audio purchase".

Of course I could be wrong, and other than that, I have no idea what you're talking about.

How's that for plausible deniability?

Ed

Dr. Spec · October 2004

Somehow I really don't think the other half would ever understand why I need more sub then I have now especally with the undesided amp issue.

She never has to know, Dave. They look identical from the outside if you get the Ultra in black. Just play a shell game with the subs and boxes (I assume you still have the packing materials) and hide the PB2+ in the basement until you can sell it.

If she bumps into the box and sees how heavy it is, just say "yeah, those SVS boys really know how to make heavy duty packaging materials....now about that necklace you had your eye on.....

Marcpam - congrats. You will never regret buying this sub. It will blow you away with sound quality, extension, and power.

EricH · October 2004

No more BS'n out of me, I am going to contact Erick tomorrow and get him to lock me in on the 1799 deal on the Ultra. No more upgrades for me after this purchase, sub anyway. [/B][/QUOTE]

Congrats on the Ultra purchase! That should keep the upgrade bug away for quite a while! I was struggling to justify a PB2-ISD, but went with a Plus to end all upgrade woes! Now the intro deal on the Ultra is really hard to ignore. But as Bush 41 said " Wouldn't be prudent at this juncture". I'll just have to get by with 900 watts of dual db12 driven bass. (Cue the sad violin music)

Tour2ma · October 2004

Originally posted by EricH
But as Bush 41 said " Wouldn't be prudent at this juncture".

Alright... cut out all the political crap...

Doc,
So you think I gave myself away???

marcpam · October 2004

I need you guy's input. I am trying to decide between the black and my wife's decision of the red mercury stain for my upcoming pb2 ultra. However, i have the black rti12's and csi5, but my entertainment center is like a red oak. The red mercury is not a perfect match to the entertainment center, but it is close. Would you guys think the black will look better than the red mercury stain because of my black mains. This will be a horrible day if the sub arrives and it doesn't look good because the stain doesn't match perfectly. Am I right to assume the black will look fine. Trying to match the stain on the svs website is hard to determine in real life. I know this is a personal preference ques. but I would like to here what you think.

Just to let you know, and don't bias your answer due to my preference, but I am leaning towards the black.

dorokusai · October 2004

Compromise and get the stain...everybody wins. I can't imagine how nice that would look....a wood colored monster.

Tour2ma · October 2004

From the SVS website:
Priced at a very reasonable $2,399 in furniture-grade wood, or, Black regular price $1,999 for a limited time... a staggering $1,799 with fine textured black. (NOTE: Price on black climbs to just $1,999 on Monday, 4 OCT 04. )

plus...

NOTE: Wood finished cabinets out of stock. Contact us for updates

To me it's a no-brainer... Today you'd pay a $600 premium for the wood-look, only to apparently be put on back order while they satisfy the demand for the black...

Of course you could wait until Tuesday, 05 October and only pay a $400 premium...

Dr. Spec · October 2004

The American Antique is the finish to get if you're going wood; it's stunning. Personally, I'd go black at that price and not look back. It will match the other speakers and you won't have to worry about a clash with the equipment rack.

Tour2ma · October 2004

... plus they all look pretty much the same once the wife decides to drape a "throw" over it... "No, honey. Don't cover the ports..."

Doc,
My wife asked, "Is this thing going to knock the knick-knacks off the mantel?", (which is directly above where the sub will go).

Reply: "No, not if we tape them down..."

Her response.... " :rolleyes: "