Can you go too big?

mark090852

I'm fairly new to all this but have really enjoyed turning our family room into somewhat of a "home theater". We're using Monitor 50s as front speakers, CS1 center, and two RC65i in wall speakers in the rear. I have an SVS SB12-Plus subwoofer (which I upgraded to just 3 months ago from a Polk PSW 100).

Well, I've started to get another case of "upgradeitis". I've been looking at the new SVS 13" subs that are going to be coming out soon. I've got the perfect corner to put the PC13-Ultra in. Even my wife agreed that it wouldn't look "too bad" in this corner. lol. I think I'm going to be listing the SB12-Plus for sale and ordering the PC13.

I realize the larger sub is "overkill" but if I calibrate it properly I'm not aware of any downside to it. Am I correct in this? At some point I may change another room into a dedicated home theater and upgrade the rest of the speakers.

I've learned so much from reading the postings here on this forum the last few months and would appreciate any thoughts any of you would have about this.

Mark

AndyGwis

I don't think you can go "too big" for a sub. It's not going to hurt your system at all if calibrated correctly.

The thing I would consider is, "Is you current sub over-worked or not cutting it?" Unless your have a big room, I'm guessing your SB12 Plus is probably is going to through the motions. It's probably not using it's full potential, so why upgrade?

I think for the money difference between the two subs, that money could be better spent upgrading whatever your weakest link is. Post your system components and ask what others might consider upgrading first. I'm sure you could get a new source, upgraded speakers, or something else with that money that would be of better use of your fundage.

Demiurge

People often confuse good sound with the ability to go loud (these amps go to 11!!).

That sub isn't overkill unless you crank it to the max. As stated above, proper calibration will make that a great sounding sub for your room.

I'd say go for it and enjoy!

So, when are you getting the LSIs?

kalgiers

The 2 things to look out for when looking @ that I've found are;

1. While not always the case sometimes larger drives are less articulate and have trouble reproducing upper registers of the frequency spectrum. Simple physics - larger cone surfce the tougher it is to get moving in unison and is harder to start and stop accurately.

2. Distance from the sub, if you're too close the lower registers will have such a long wave form that it will not fully develop by the time it reaches the listening position.

Be a little surprised if either of these would come into play here if a 12" already is working well for you.

mark090852

Andy, I appreciate what you're saying. But I have this empty corner that is just crying out to be filled with a large cylinder sub. The SB12 doesn't quite fit aesthetically with where we have to place it in the room. It's sort of "stuffed" behind the sofa next to a bench and a plant.

I am VERY impressed with the quality and performance of the SB12 that I have now. I'm certainly not needing to upgrade the sub, it's one of those desires based on passion (I like the way it will look and I like its capabilities) rather than practicality. I think I'm going to delay upgrading any of the other HT components until a decision is made regarding setting everything up in another room. I know the PC13-Ultra will work well with whatever the final decision is and it will perfectly fit in an unused corner in our family room. Actually it will somewhat enhance the aesthetics of the room.

ben62670

I would consider my sonosub too big. Its not really the size, but I have my speakers set at 0, and my sub set at -7, and that is plenty of power. If I turn it up all the way particles start falling from my drop ceiling, and I start hearing noises from different things resonating in the room. I am very pleased with its SQ. It is actually very musical, accurate, and tight compared to some other subs I have owned. What I really recommend you asking yourself is do I turn my sub up all the way (without distortion)? One other thing I recommend is maybe getting a second equal sub to balance things out. Some people say bass isn't localized, but I really hear, and feel where it is coming from. I am thinking about building another one. Not for more output, but to balance out the system.

mark090852

Ben,

A second equal sub would be nice, but there just isn't an acceptable location in the room to put it. The only place acceptable to my wife would be in one of the corners behind the love seat and a box sub just doesn't look right in that location.

Mark

engtaz

Ben is the expert. He tried to blow his ear drums sampling his sonosub. LOL

Mike Reeter

I have one of the original PC-Ultras in our HT rig...it's the about the only piece of gear that I haven't upgraded...and I don't plan to.

If you want a new Ultra,then by all means,get one...Once you get your head set on something,the desire will not change until you follow through.

I'm positive there will not be any regrets.

goingganzo

i would say ask your self if you need more bass if you are botoming out or have realey high thd thn upgrade your sub. if not uprrade your mains/center or your recever or your tv.
disclamer
if your are a real bass head then yes upgrade your sub but i would get the dual svs and not just get the new 13 in driver.
or diy your self a ib setup with at least 4 18 in drivers and 1000 wats

dudeinaroom

goingganzo wrote: »

diy your self a ib setup with at least 4 18 in drivers and 1000 wats

I second that one.

engtaz

No, a large sub gives you a different type of base and lower Freq. Smaller subs are usually tight. I run a 15" and a 10/12" Velo's

goingganzo

that is not true. it all depends on the motor strenth and other factors. if you have 2 of the same cars and one has a 200 hp motorand the other one has a 300 hp motor with one will be faster? same thing for speakers the motor strenth decides how fast the cone can respond to the demand along with power. and the type of box will also change how good the sub can make the fr you desire.

G-2

We'd probably spend the money on front and center channel speakers, given your current set up. Good luck and enjoy!

engtaz

goingganzo wrote: »

that is not true. it all depends on the motor strenth and other factors. if you have 2 of the same cars and one has a 200 hp motorand the other one has a 300 hp motor with one will be faster? same thing for speakers the motor strenth decides how fast the cone can respond to the demand along with power. and the type of box will also change how good the sub can make the fr you desire.

So your saying that a 10" can move as much air as a 15"??

kingkip

kalgiers wrote: »

2. Distance from the sub, if you're too close the lower registers will have such a long wave form that it will not fully develop by the time it reaches the listening position.

Common misconception. At 20Hz the wave is about 55 feet long. Not too many people have that much space between their sub and themselves and yet they still seem to hear it fine.

Deadof_knight

for big subs you need a large room to get the lare wave form too fully form and too really appreciate other wise its the simple pressure wave ....

Face

engtaz wrote: »

So your saying that a 10" can move as much air as a 15"??

Look at the amount of air this 12 moves. There's more than just the driver's diameter. http://edesignaudio.com/edv2/ednews/home/blog.php?id=102

goingganzo

yes but if you can move the air should you? if the subs motor is not strong enough to move the cone fast enough over the distance your bass will sound loose. and that is why a 15, 18 can sound good you just need a powerfull motor to move the cone.

kingkip

Deadof_knight wrote: »

for big subs you need a large room to get the lare wave form too fully form and too really appreciate other wise its the simple pressure wave ....

Again a 20hz wave is 55' long. Not many people have a home theater that big, so are you saying that they never hear the full sound? It doesn't work that way.

engtaz

When it alters your heart beat it's set up right. LOL

Shizelbs

I was talking to a dealer for JL home subwoofers, and he said that some people with smaller rooms in houses in the midwest (he said they were built air tight due to the wind) that the JL Gotham sub was causing minor structural problems and flexing windows. But that is the extreme side of things. In general then, no, you can't really go too big.