CSU or 16-46PC+

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kelley
kelley Posts: 287
edited April 2003 in Speakers
I'm going to take the SVS plunge today and thought I'd get everyone's opinion. Which one would you choose and why? 16-46PC+ or the CSU. I'm going to have to drive the CSU if I get it with my Citation amp for the meantime just because of budget. My preamp has all of the settings to control output.
SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
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  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited April 2003
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    I saw your post over at HTF.

    I did a review of the Ultra vs. the 20-39PC+ and posted it on HTF a few months ago - name is "Edward J M" over there.

    I don't know what the rest of your system looks like, but the Ultra is very expensive and the premium over the PC+ or the CS+ might not be worth it for you.

    Really it boils down to the drivers. The best comparison is the passive 20-39CS+ with the dB12 driver vs. the passive 20-39 CS Ultra with the TV12 driver. They are identical subs in all respects except for the driver.

    The $575 CS+ offers about 85% of the performance of the $900 Ultra. Tom V at SVS considers the Ultra "worth every penny". I've heard both - and both are awesome and yes the Ultra IS better. Is it $325 better? Only you can decide.

    With the said, the PC+ is an incredible value - the best in the line-up. You get everything onboard - variable phase, SS filter, inputs galore, 525W of BASH power. It's a home run and if it were my money, I'd buy a PC+ over an Ultra in a heartbeat.

    BTW, the 16-46 is really only needed if you regularly play music/movies with 14-15 Hz content. The 20-39 is a better choice for most applications.

    Doc
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
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  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited April 2003
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    Thanks for the info. I'm running SDA 3.1tl's for the front, cs400 center, and Boston bookshelfs for the rear, but the Bostons are going to be replaced. There's a $50 difference between the 16-46 and 20-39. You think that the 20-39 is better overall though?
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
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  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited April 2003
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    Well, it's the "pinch hitter" of the line-up. It plays a bit louder overall than the 16-46, but it doesn't dig quite as deep. Very few movies go deeper than what the 20-39 can play in stock tune.

    If you want the ultimate in extension, and you have a moderately sized room, the 16-46 is still king. If you have a really big room (4000-5000 ft3), two of them might be a good idea.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
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  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited April 2003
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    Doc, I ordered a 20-39PC+ today. When shall I expect you over to calibrate it? :)
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
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