Dual SVS PB10 vs. Dual Polk PSW505

PolkThug
PolkThug Posts: 7,532
edited November 2004 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
Finally got enough time to do this right. These measurements were taken from the listening position in my home theater room. TrueRTA was used as the tone generator, fed directly into my receiver. I used Snapbug's worksheet for the correction factors. For now, I'll let the picture speak for itself, I'm off to job #2.
Never Forget
Post edited by PolkThug on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited November 2004
    Looks Sweet. :)


    Why does Polk roll off so quick? It just seems they can make better / Great subs.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,646
    edited November 2004
    Very nice! Just as Doc predicted!

    That thing is flat down to 16hz....jesus
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited November 2004
    That is nuts man.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    With the PB-10's. I was able to play 20Hz at100+db's. The door on the far wall of my room started shaking violently. :D
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
    That thing is flat down to 16hz....jesus

    I see almost a 10db variance at different points in the graph, what do you see that is flat?

    Not knocking the subs, just keeping the terminology from getting abused. Flat is flat (+/- 3db or less imo), not a variance of over 5, and as much as 10 db.

    The Polk subs actually have a 'flatter' response from 25Hz up, per the data provided, no?

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • up2youjoe
    up2youjoe Posts: 114
    edited November 2004
    PolkThug,

    I'm just curious as to why you didn't go with the PB12-ISD/2? It would have cost $200 more but you would have the 12" woofers. In any case, enjoy the new subs.

    Joe
    No Kids Allowed
    cold, heartless, clueless, greedy 'young professional'
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,646
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by RuSsMaN
    I see almost a 10db variance at different points in the graph, what do you see that is flat?

    Not knocking the subs, just keeping the terminology from getting abused. Flat is flat (+/- 3db or less imo), not a variance of over 5, and as much as 10 db.

    The Polk subs actually have a 'flatter' response from 25Hz up, per the data priovided.

    Cheers,
    Russ

    Perhaps I did word that wrong, sorry...

    How about this - It extends to 16hz ;)

    Either way, that is amazing for a 400 dollar subwoofer!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by up2youjoe
    PolkThug,

    I'm just curious as to why you didn't go with the PB12-ISD/2? It would have cost $200 more but you would have the 12" woofers. In any case, enjoy the new subs.

    Joe     [/QUOTE

    You have to draw the line somewhere. Sure for $200 more I could get model X, but then if I spend just $300 more I can get model Y. It never ends in this hobby. (Also, I think the new PB10 drivers may have lower THD.)

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2004
    The man wanted two subs....he bought two subs, forget the why.

    THD doesn't quite matter with this brand IMO, but have fun, you sure have the ability to do so.....now, haha.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
    Perhaps I did word that wrong, sorry...

    How about this - It extends to 16hz ;)

    Either way, that is amazing for a 400 dollar subwoofer!



    $400 dollars for that subwoofer Impressive

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited November 2004
    It's +/-5db overall and +/-3db above 30 hz. i don't think too many people are going to complain about a sub being slightly hot from 16-30 hz. Nearly a perfect curve if you ask me!:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited November 2004
    So how low can you hear? (Actual tones from the sub, not just household items shaking?) ;)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited November 2004
    $400 dollars for that subwoofer Impressive

    $400 times 2, but yes impressive performance.
    i don't think too many people are going to complain about a sub being slightly hot from 16-30 hz.

    Hell no! I EQ mine hot from 16 to 30. That is a very good room.
    Graham
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by gatemplin
    Hell no! I EQ mine hot from 16 to 30. That is a very good room.

    lol, yeah, looks like a room "problem" I don't want to correct.

    :D
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited November 2004
    Yeah, it's just room gain down low. SVS tunes the subs for a flat FR anechoic, so it will meet rated specs in a large room. In a small room you will start to see a boost down low, which is never a bad thing and compensates for the ear's lack of sensitivity to really deep bass.

    That's really the whole premise of the house curve; a flat response in-room tends to sound a little anemic to most people, actually. The house curve tries to compensate for the Fletcher Munson effect, and the result ends up sounding "about right" to our ears. Fortunately, the SVS has a built in house curve in most rooms, and will exhibit some level of room gain below about 30 Hz.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited November 2004
    Yeah, that effin' Fletcher... if I ever get my hands on him... :D

    PT,
    Just curious, were the sub pairs stacked in the identical location for each test?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    PT,
    Just curious, were the sub pairs stacked in the identical location for each test?

    Yep
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2004
    No, he had one in the kitchen and one in the garage....sheesh.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited November 2004
    Thanks, PT...

    Dedicated effort there, many would have set them side-by-side and called it a valid test.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by dorokusai
    No, he had one in the kitchen and one in the garage....sheesh.

    No it was in the living Room you felt it outside of the garage ;)

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    Thanks, PT...

    Dedicated effort there, many would have set them side-by-side and called it a valid test.

    Yeah, it was a pain to swap them around and stack them. One advantage the Polks have is that the power cords are longer for the 505's. I couldn't use the SVS power cords in my room setup, which is a shame because the SVS power cords look a little beefier. :(
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2004
    It would be nice if SVS put a longer power cord in with their subs! I had the same problem, the power cord on my SVS 20-39 PC+ wouldn't reach to the outlet I had my PSW-505 plugged into. I had to use a short heavy duty extension cord. Once I get my new Tripplite LCR-2400 power conditioner, I will be able to plug it directly in.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited November 2004
    Sheeeet... just throw an 18 ga extension cord or two on that rascal and "fire" away.... ;)

    Perhaps literally as well as figuratively... :eek:
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited November 2004
    I've got a faster way to generate sweeps for you..........

    Run the QuickSweep on TrueRTA. Export the data from TrueRTA and import it to an Excel spreadsheet. Add RS correction factors, and voila - FR spits out.

    Not as clean or easy as a calibrated mic, but better than manual plotting using TrueRTA as just the sine generator.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by Dr. Spec
    I've got a faster way to generate sweeps for you..........

    Run the QuickSweep on TrueRTA. Export the data from TrueRTA and import it to an Excel spreadsheet. Add RS correction factors, and voila - FR spits out.

    Not as clean or easy as a calibrated mic, but better than manual plotting using TrueRTA as just the sine generator.

    Doc,

    I started going down that path, but it seemed really cumbersome. Snapbug only provides a few correction factors, so I had to estimate to fill in the gaps.

    Can you set the frequencies of the quicksweep? (ie 10Hz-80Hz only)

    Also what db should the Rat Shack meter dial be on? 70, 80, other? It definitely makes a difference.

    Thanks,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited November 2004
    Just pick up an ECM8000 and a preamp for $80 or w/e. Life will be much easier.

    You can alter the upper limit of the sweep frequency by changing the input frequency (8 kHz is the lowest you can select, which will terminate the sweep at 4 kHz).

    And you can alter the screen scale so all you see is 10-100 Hz or 10-200 Hz, etc.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by Dr. Spec
    Just pick up an ECM8000 and a preamp for $80 or w/e. Life will be much easier.

    Cool! Do you have recommendations for a preamp?

    Thanks,
    PT
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2004
    Tour - I felt much safer using a 10 gauge extension cord out of my woodworking shop!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited November 2004
    The UB1002 is nicer, but the UB802 will get the job done for less $$.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Wow, those are pretty fancy pieces of equipment just to plug a microphone into a laptop!
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter