(1) SVS PB13-Ultra vs (2) Polk MicroPro 4000's
I have really enjoyed reading the forums and now have a question of my own. Thanks in advance for your help.
We are finishing our basement and, like many others, are searching for that perfect subwoofer. Here's some baseline information. This system will be used 70% for movies and 30% for music. The main and center channels are Polk RCi85's and the rear channels are Polk RCi80's.
Due to space constraints, we can either get 2 Polk MicroPro 4000 subs or 1 SVS PB13-Ultra sub. Which option would provide us the better home theater and music experience we can hear and feel??? Also, if it makes a difference, the Polk 4000's would be located in the corner and the end of a sectional whereas the SVS would be located at the end of the sectional.
Again, thanks for your help everyone.
We are finishing our basement and, like many others, are searching for that perfect subwoofer. Here's some baseline information. This system will be used 70% for movies and 30% for music. The main and center channels are Polk RCi85's and the rear channels are Polk RCi80's.
Due to space constraints, we can either get 2 Polk MicroPro 4000 subs or 1 SVS PB13-Ultra sub. Which option would provide us the better home theater and music experience we can hear and feel??? Also, if it makes a difference, the Polk 4000's would be located in the corner and the end of a sectional whereas the SVS would be located at the end of the sectional.
Again, thanks for your help everyone.
Post edited by Advantage on
Comments
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Dual subs will (typically) provide a little smoother bass response in multiple seating areas.
I do like the new polk subs, but it would be a hard choice between the single SVS and dual MicroPro subs. For mostly home theater, I would have to go with the SVS mainly due to the lower tuning of the sub.
MichaelMains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms) -
For mostly movies I'd definitely go with the SVS ultra. If you were looking for a musical sub that blends very well with your mains then I'd do the dual micropro 4000's. I'm currently running dual 4000's and find they are great for both , but the Ultra will dip alot deeper and you'll feel more.
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I love my ultra, but it did take some time to get it sounding right. After the last 2 weeks I really can't stress enough to just no plop any sub you get down(especially in a corner)and assume that's where it should be. I had my ultra in one spot for almost a year and thought it sounded great for movies and ok for music. One day I started walking around the room while playing test tones and found out that my listening position was a dead spot for bass.
If you are going to spend this kind of money on a sub, really take your time and figure out where the best place to put it is, or your money could be wasted. I couldn't believe and still can't how great the ultra sounds now. Whne I had mine in a corner it was literally 30 db lower then other spots in the room when I walked around. Some frequencies were even so quite you couldn't hear them where I set.
I moved the sub out of the corner and half way down my longest wall( I found that spot after doing the sub at listening position trick)and it was like I had an entirely different system entirely.
As for the micropro's I have never heard them but I really can't see them being better then the ultra for HT. The ultra will blow your mind with how low it goes, and how much bass you actually feel. It will hit low and hard enough to upset your stomach if you want it that loud. Once again though, if you don't experiment with placement, then you might only get 50% or even less of the performance of any sub you get.
Im a newbie to this stuff though, but I'm starting to learn the little things, and it seems even the littlest things can dramatically improve your system sometimes.Denon 1909, want to upgrade for pre outs
Fronts-polk RTi A5
center-polk CSi A4
Sides Polk FXi A6
rears- polk rm8's
sub-SVS pb-13 ultra
Blue ray-ps3
Panasonic plasma 50 inch
Buttkicker(don't use or need it anymore since getting the Ultra) -
Also look at the dual Epik Empires. They can be had for about $1400 for duals, and packs two 15" sealed drivers in each enclosure. 4 subs for $1400.
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Wow, thanks for the quick replies. Of course, I knew it wasn't going to be an easy decision and you guys are validating that. I really don't have a ton of options in terms of subwoofer location. The space in the corner of the wall and behind the curved sectional would fit a micropro 4000 while the other location on the end of the long side of the sectional would fit another micropro 4000 or single SVS PB13-Ultra.
Yes, I do hear you, they're likely not "ideal" locations (in the corner of a wall, behind the couch, subs behind the listener, etc.) but it's really not an option. I will share pictures of the basement in another update so you can see what I'm dealing with. Again, thanks for the responses.
So, how are you enjoying your dual micropro 4000's? I'm sure that's a great setup. Are you also able to feel the bass during movies? -
Bevo, I'm curious where you placed your SVS sub. You mentioned then you moved it out of the corner and along the long wall. Where is the sub relative to the listening position (front by TV, parallel to listener, behind the listener, etc.). Thanks for your help.
I really do like the SVS but wondering if the placement of the sub at the end of the sectional (parallel to listening position) is going to provide us the 'best' experience. -
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I'm wondering if you guys have opinions on the choice of speakers (RCi 85's and 80's) mated with the SVS PB13-Ultra for home theater. Are these speakers going to be too small for this sub? These speakers get great reviews but also don't want to overwhelm them with a sub.
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I have 2 Micro Pro 4000 subs, and they are simply incredible; both for Home Theater and for Music. I couldn't ask for anymore, and I have heard tons of subwoofers. I have two 1,000 Emotiva Monoblocks powering my Home Theater, as well as an Emotiva XPA3, and the Flagship Onkly Receiver, NR5007. This, with my two Polk RTIA9,s, 4FXIA6's, my CSIA6, and again, my two Polk Micropro 4000's produce a sound for both Theater and Music that is incredible.Wow, thanks for the quick replies. Of course, I knew it wasn't going to be an easy decision and you guys are validating that. I really don't have a ton of options in terms of subwoofer location. The space in the corner of the wall and behind the curved sectional would fit a micropro 4000 while the other location on the end of the long side of the sectional would fit another micropro 4000 or single SVS PB13-Ultra.
Yes, I do hear you, they're likely not "ideal" locations (in the corner of a wall, behind the couch, subs behind the listener, etc.) but it's really not an option. I will share pictures of the basement in another update so you can see what I'm dealing with. Again, thanks for the responses.
So, how are you enjoying your dual micropro 4000's? I'm sure that's a great setup. Are you also able to feel the bass during movies?Upstairs Music-HT room
Sony-XBR-75X850C 75 inch 4K TV
Emotiva XPR-2 Power Amp
Onkyo TX-NR5007 Receiver
Integra DPS 10-5 DVD/SACD Player
Mains: Polk SDA 1C Studios
Surrounds: Polk M5 Monitors
Center: CSIA6
Subwoofer: MicoPro 4000
Apple TV
DirecTV
Also have a Dedicated Home Theater Room: see Bryan's Home Theater on YouTube -
Go for the Ultra-13! Its an Awesome sub for HT, low hard hitting bass that you
can feel;)Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
I'm surprised more people don't go for the Dayton Titanic Kits. I have both the 10" and the 12" and enjoy each one more than any of the other subs that I've owned (polk, velodyne, svs.) I guess I'm a sucker for the sealed sound.
Two Channel Setup:
Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
DAC: Arcam irDac
Source: iMac
Remote Control: iPad Mini
3.2 Home Theater Setup:
Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
Center: Klipsch RP-160M
Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
TV Source: DirecTV Genie -
Also look at the dual Epik Empires. They can be had for about $1400 for duals, and packs two 15" sealed drivers in each enclosure. 4 subs for $1400.
This would be a great choice if you have the room.Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
The new sb13 ultra comes out next month.
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Good to see this thread alive again. Well, I did go ahead and get the SVS PB13-Ultra. I ended also getting better, more powerful in-wall speakers per your recommendations. I purchased 2 LC265i's for the fronts, 1 LCi-C for the center, and 2 LC80i's for the rears. I ended up with Emotiva XPA-5 to drive the mains and the center with the remaining channels driving all the other speakers in the basement (mix of LC80i's and LC65i's).
Thanks again for all your help. When the basement is finally done, I will take photos of the construction process and the finished product.
