SVS Subs?

mangata572 · January 2003

Does anyone have SVS sub(s) in their system. I am still on a quest to replace my PSW 350 with a below 20 hz sub. I like the Rel Strata, however the spec. on the SVS PS Plus 16-46 is just as impresive. I like the tall round velvet texture design, it would fit my HT just right. The company is a mail order only with a 45 day money back, so I am covered if i don't like it, but I would like some advice before I continue. Any ideas, anyone?

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · January 2003

LEt me put it this way, everyone here loves their SVS! They say its deep, accurate - all that good stuff...like u said if u dont like it, u can return it....take a dive
SVS - HSU - M&K, check em out....all good subwoofers
I got a M&K and It kicks arse! Clean, Powerful, Accurate - everything imaginable...its awesome

Frank Z · January 2003

I'm not abig fan of the SVS. I know a lot of people really like them, but I would not want one based on looks alone. I think it looks like a spray painted water heater. Looks have got to count for something, right? Here's a link for ya. This person was not pleased with the SVS performance. You might as well get as much info as you can before you spend your cash.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=119145

begbie · January 2003

I'with ya on that one Frank. No matter how good the performance is- it's buuuuuuttttt ugly !

TonyPTX · January 2003

Think Dr. Spec here in the forums has one. I'd say he's really happy with it.

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · January 2003

Dr Spec's brain was made of svs parts....;)

Id buy a SVS and then buy a cat, and then let the cat stop klinging to it - turn it on and see if it'll do it again. In other words, I think their the ugliest things I have ever seen. They may sound awesome - but for god sakes its ugly....

Ron-P · January 2003

If it's ugly, recover it and make it look pretty. I for one would never sacrifice preformance for looks, but that's just me.

Peace Out~:D

Dr. Spec · January 2003

Mangata572:

I owned twin PSW350's at one time. Before upgrading, I demo'd a LOT of subs and scoured the on-line forums and DIY sites to learn as much about bass and subwoofers as I possibly could.

After all that research, I came to one conclusion: In the world of commerical subwoofers in the $800-$1,000 range, there are two names that rise to the top - SVS and HSU.

After extensive and unbiased research on both brands, I came to the conclusion that the SVS brand offered more performance and usable features than any comparably priced HSU product. But both of them are damn good.

The SVS 16-46PC+ or 20-39PC+ offers a flatter FR, less THD, deeper extension, more SPL, more tuning flexibility, and more usable features than any other commercial sub in their price range, and in many cases outperform subs costing many times more.

Add to that Customer Service that simply has to be experienced to be believed, and you've got an unbeatable combination and value.

As for looks, my SVS is actually shorter than my RT800i. I've never heard anyone **** about the look of a 42" tower before - so why **** about a 40" tall subwoofer? Pictures do not do them justice. They are handsome, masculine, imposing, extremely well built, and are covered in a rich, black automotive grade fabric that blends in well with any decor. Anyone who walks into my HT room for the first time is immediately impressed with the look of the SVS and simply has to hear it.

I concur 100% with Ron - form follows function. The SVS has a large internal volume, and the cylinder design allows for extraordinarily long vent tubes - both of which contribute to an extremely efficient design that can achieve a very deep tune point and high SPL without the need for a 1,500W amp and EQ.

Reviews? There are literally thousands of very satisfied SVS owners and their comments can be found over at HTF and from the SVS website.

Independent professional reviews are positively glowing from tough to impress guys like Tom Nousaine, Howard Ferstler, Brian Weatherhead, and John E Johnson.

As for the review Frank Z linked, read the ENTIRE thread and decide for yourself. This idiot turned out to be a 19 year old uninformed jackass who made so many outrageous claims and statements that anyone possibly taking him seriously has more than a few screws loose.

Really, Frank - why would you risk your reputation by passing this thread off as a usable and objective review from an informed enthusiast?

Mangata572: I can virtually assure you that a properly calibrated and set-up SVS 16-46 or 20-39 PC+ will impress you beyond words with flat, accurate, low distortion, super deep, high output, world class bass. You will NOT regret your purchase.

Here are some reviews from informed and educated consumers and independent professional reviewers.

Regards,

Doc

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_4/svs-25-31-pci-subwoofer-12-2002.html

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_2/svs-cs-ultra-subwoofers-5-2002.html

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_8_4/subwoofers-12-2001.html

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/reviews_robroy.htm

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/reviewspcplus1.htm

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · January 2003

Muahahaha, Doc you got me really interested in the SVS line. I think if I got some spair cash over the summer I'm gonna have to take a dive and buy the SVS 25-31 PCi. For 550 MSRP, 25 hz flat...Man ollll man, i'll have to take the dive. But if I am near broke at the end of the summer, screw it. But If I do buy it...Can you say....M&K vs. SVS? Ight, I thought id share my 2 cents. And ohh yeah, If I did buy one--It'd go in my closet, that ugly thing would be hidden....aha

Dr. Spec · January 2003

MX - how much would the current version of your M&K sub cost?

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · January 2003

Do you mean the model that is replacing it? The current version that replaced it is the MX-125, it runs at 1,300 I think...
But do not get me wrong, If i do buy the SVS - I will keep an open mind and remind myself that is cost a well 900 less than the MX-90...Im not exspecting it to be REALLY EFFIN GOOD! and im not exspecting the M&K to blow it out of the water either

Who knows, If the SVS is really good - I could see the M&K meeting the closet, who knows. If you didn't know I paid 450 for the M&K off my dad. So moving it to the closet will not exactly brake my heart...;)! But who knows...

carvinman1 · January 2003

I purchased the 20-39PCi a few months ago, and it completely changed the sound of my system. It replaced a PSW-350, and the difference is night and day. There is no more boomy bass, and all the other speakers in the system have a much better defined sound. It also blends great with my RT800i's for a really great 2 channel music experience. The looks may bother some of you, but my SVS ROCKS!
Later,
Danny

Dr. Spec · January 2003

That's a very fair way to view it. If the $500 25-31PCi runs in the same room with the equivalent of a $1,300 MX-125, that's really saying something.

I think there's actually hope for you - you've been coming around pretty good lately. :-)

For $1300, you could buy a dual 20-39PCi package. Or a single Ultra with the external amp.

M&K subs get very good reviews from their owners. But they ARE very expensive.

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · January 2003

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
That's a very fair way to view it. If the $500 25-31PCi runs in the same room with the equivalent of a $1,300 MX-125, that's really saying something.

Yeah, If i buy it, and I like it - it will run head to head with the M&K. I have a very open mind when it comes to prices. I gained that when I listened to Polk over every other speaker in CC one day, I couldnt believe just how much better they sounded. The only thing was that the Infinity's had a better high end..

I think there's actually hope for you - you've been coming around pretty good lately. :-) - Doc

Thank ya, thank ya! lol!

For $1300, you could buy a dual 20-39PCi package. Or a single Ultra with the external amp. - Doc

LOL! Yeah, I need the money tho...hmmm...

M&K subs get very good reviews from their owners. But they ARE very expensive. - Doc

Yeah, M&K are awesome subs, but they are fairly high. Their lowest priced one is 500 MSRP, and its just a single 8 inch driver. I have one complaint about the M&K, and this is on their old drivers - the new drivers dont do this. But the old drivers were high compliance (so are the new ones), but the paper on the old one would sorda flap when it restracted creating a slight but noticable distortion at high volumes. Thats my only complaint...

kberg · January 2003

As a side note, I saw in an SVS manual that...

"If you use your DD/DTS receiver/processor's internal crossover to manage bass frequencies (highly recommended) , the setting of this [crossover frequency] knob on the sub is irrelevant".

If the above is true, double filtering at the sub wouldn't be an issue no matter what the crossover setting on the sub was, right? Is SVS correct when they say this?

scottvamp · January 2003

Really, Frank - why would you risk your reputation by passing this thread off as a usable and objective review from an informed enthusiast?

Ya, Frank - you should have read the rest of the thread - the kid turned out to sound like an idiot.

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · January 2003

And yall thought I liked it loud! HA! Altho I wouldnt mind getting 160 db of bass...sure! That dude did alot of thinking, but he didnt do any research or reading, therefore it clasifies him as a A1 moron! Although, I didn't do any research when it comes to receivers and preouts, so I guess im a moron too! WOOOO HOOO! newayz, that dude seems like a bass addict - who in their right mind would want 160 db+ of bass? lord

mangata572 · January 2003

Thanks for the info. I did read all the 19 yr old idiot's thread, several jumped in to say good things on SVS. As far as the looks, the round design works for me. I think a 46" round tower (or two) will look good with my 48" RTi150's. Besides, I care more about base you can feel, not hear, more than looks (I never did find a small frige sized black box all that attractive). Next question, one 16-46 PC+ or two?!

scottvamp · January 2003

One Lamborghini or two Lamborghini?????
That is a tough one.:rolleyes:

Dr. Spec · January 2003

Originally posted by kberg
As a side note, I saw in an SVS manual that...

"If you use your DD/DTS receiver/processor's internal crossover to manage bass frequencies (highly recommended) , the setting of this [crossover frequency] knob on the sub is irrelevant".

If the above is true, double filtering at the sub wouldn't be an issue no matter what the crossover setting on the sub was, right? Is SVS correct when they say this?

Hi Kberg:

You must also disable the filter control at the sub.

There is a separate switch for that right next to the filter control knob.

From further on in the owner's manual:

"Crossover Enable Switch. If you allow your DD/DTS surround-sound receiver or processor to manage bass frequencies (recommended), this switch should be set to Disabled. This disables the Crossover Frequency knob and allows your sub to reproduce just what it's fed from the receiver. "

Ed

Dr. Spec · January 2003

Originally posted by mangata572
Thanks for the info. Next question, one 16-46 PC+ or two?!

How big is your room, how many openings to other rooms are there, how loud to you like to play your HT system, and do you favor bass demanding DVDs?

Frank Z · January 2003

Really, Frank - why would you risk your reputation by passing this thread off as a usable and objective review from an informed enthusiast?

Ya, Frank - you should have read the rest of the thread - the kid turned out to sound like an idiot.

Take it easy on me guy's...a lot has been added to that thread since I read it!

Agreed the guy was expecting unreal results from his SVS. For those that have not read the thread, he posted later that he hoped to get as much as 200db!! Had I known the guy was a booger eating moroon I would not have included the link. I'm sorry and beg forgiveness!

mangata572 · January 2003

Dr., My system serves double duty- HT & 5/7 stereo. The HT section (viewing and 2 ch. sweet spot) of the basement is only 11x14, however that area overflows into a L shape 22x40 (including HT area) bar, pool table, table soccer, darts, etc. So for HT only I think one 16-46 PC+ would be fine. For party times I run all 5/7 speakers to fill all the space. So the thought for two is for the music side. I know I should just start with one and see, but I like to get others opinion.

Dr. Spec · January 2003

Originally posted by Frank Z

Take it easy on me guy's...a lot has been added to that thread since I read it!

Agreed the guy was expecting unreal results from his SVS. For those that have not read the thread, he posted later that he hoped to get as much as 200db!! Had I known the guy was a booger eating moroon I would not have included the link. I'm sorry and beg forgiveness!

Frank - that comment was so funny all is forgiven. Still feelin' the love!

scottvamp · January 2003

I forgive ya Frank.
The sub I almost bought. Out of a 200 sub review buy sound and vision - this one was in the top 3.
Vandersteen V2W

Dr. Spec · January 2003

Originally posted by mangata572
Dr., My system serves double duty- HT & 5/7 stereo. The HT section (viewing and 2 ch. sweet spot) of the basement is only 11x14, however that area overflows into a L shape 22x40 (including HT area) bar, pool table, table soccer, darts, etc. So for HT only I think one 16-46 PC+ would be fine. For party times I run all 5/7 speakers to fill all the space. So the thought for two is for the music side. I know I should just start with one and see, but I like to get others opinion.

The main area is certainly small enough for one PC+ to fill with pretty prodigious bass.

If the opening to the other room is wide enough, you might lose quite a bit of bass to it, though. Room acoustics are a funny thing......only way to see is to try it.

One thing SVS does stress is that the 16-46 size enclosure cannot play quite as loud overall as its smaller brothers - a sacrifice for the deeper extension.

A 25-31PC+ might outgun a 16-46PC+ by about 3 dB in max volume capability above 25 Hz. Of course, below 25 Hz, the 16 series start to quickly pull away from the 25 series.

3 dB might not seem like much, but it is. To put it in perspective, adding a second sub anywhere but the same corner typically only adds another 3 dB in overall volume. In the same corner, you can expect a 6 dB increase in volume.

Anyway, for this disparity in max output between the 16 and the 25 series, SVS often recommends twin 16's if you are really going to be pushing it to near reference levels on bass heavy DVDs.

If you go with twin 16-46PC+ in the same corner in that room, you can expect to cleanly hit a clean 117+ dB bass peaks at the seat.

Fishiest1 · January 2003

Dr Spec,

Im soooo considering getting a 2039pc+.

How do you think it would go with my rt3000s or is it even worth adding to?

Dr. Spec · January 2003

Your kidding, right? Aren't you hitting like 120 dB already? I don't see the logic here.

Yes, the SVS will have deeper extension than the 3000 subs. But I doubt it will play any louder.

It's only a single 12" woofer for chrissakes. Yes- it's one of the best 12" woofers out there, but it's still just a 12" woofer.

The 3000 has four 8" woofers and 600 watts of power. I'm sure it has comparable output above 30 Hz.

SVS Subs?

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