PC Ultra vs. PC Plus 16-46

[mike c]

PC Ultra graph
http://www.svsound.com/products/subs/pcplus-features/curve.jpg

PC Plus 16-46
http://www.svsound.com/products/subs/pcplus-features/16pcpluscurve.jpg

1) the 1646 page claims it has the lowest extension of all SVS (first paragraph here: http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-plpow1.cfm )
2) why can't they grid these LMS charts better?
3) so why do charts show that the ultra has better extension?
4) so aside from "better" sounding, people should just get the 1646 right? (if they want maximum extension)
5) why should people get the ultra?
6) has anybody ordered to Canada? What are the customs duties? does the PST and GST apply to these US purchases? what else? how many %?

(i've decided not to consider the SVS boxes ... they take up too much space and look terrible)

[Sheep]

PC Ultra graph
http://www.svsound.com/products/subs/pcplus-features/curve.jpg

PC Plus 16-46
http://www.svsound.com/products/subs/pcplus-features/16pcpluscurve.jpg

1) the 1646 page claims it has the lowest extension of all SVS (first paragraph here: http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-plpow1.cfm )
2) why can't they grid these LMS charts better?
3) so why do charts show that the ultra has better extension?
4) so aside from "better" sounding, people should just get the 1646 right? (if they want maximum extension)
5) why should people get the ultra?
6) has anybody ordered to Canada? What are the customs duties? does the PST and GST apply to these US purchases? what else? how many %?

(i've decided not to consider the SVS boxes ... they take up too much space and look terrible)

Frequency response isn't the be all end all of sub performance. THe ultra will have less THD then the plus. Theres also Group delay and power compression too.

I have seen a graph of the PC+ (can't remember the size of the cylinder) that have a flat FR from 14Hz to 150Hz. It was on www.avtalk.co.uk in the subwoofer tests forum.

SheepStar

[WoofBoyZaq]

I was in the same position regarding SV subs. (16-46 plus or pc ultra)

The 1 band PEQ on the ultra and SVS's saying that the Ultra was even better sounding sold me on it. They actually said I wouldn't *need* the ultra in my space, so I effectively upsold myself.

Now, it's a great sub, and the people who have heard my 3 disc demo all agree it's quite capable of movie theater bass (or even more) in my smallish room.

And... don't underestimate how handy the PEQ is. I was able to tame an evil room mode (that I knew would be there) from 40-50 HZ from a +12 peak back in line with everything else.

[BJP]

6) has anybody ordered to Canada? What are the customs duties? does the PST and GST apply to these US purchases? what else? how many %?

(i've decided not to consider the SVS boxes ... they take up too much space and look terrible)

Hey Mike, I ordered the 2039 PC Plus back in October. Shipping was fast. Shipped on the 25th arrived the 27th. I was expecting to pay about $250 when it came to the door.

The total charges were $213.98. Here were the fees:
GST $147.10
Brok Fee $62.50
Brok GST $4.38

There is no duty because it was made in the U.S. exempt because of NAFTA.

I was interested in the Axiom EP500, but it was $1610 w/tax. Also the VTF-3 Mk2 at $1150. The SVS came out to about $1230.

If I were to do it over again, I would go HSU. I bought the SVS do to more power and greater depth. But the gain volume has 9 notches, I have it at 1.5 notches and thats more than enough power. I also watch movies at 20Hz(16 and 12Hz available)

I went for the cylinder because it weighs less and therefore cheaper shipping, I got it in the back corner so it's not an eyesore.

Bass in clean and smooth, no distortion. Much better than the Athena Sub 8;) .

[mike c]

hey thanks BJP... whats the Brokerage fee? is that "shipping" cost?

[mike c]

thanks for the comment woofboy

[BJP]

hey thanks BJP... whats the Brokerage fee? is that "shipping" cost?
I believe it is a handling fee for UPS, the higher the cost of product the higher the fee. www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

[mike c]

BJP, so the 2039 USD825 * 1.22 approx. conversion to CAD = CAD1007 + 230+ in fees = you said around CAD 1230 ...

so no shipping cost?

[BJP]

BJP, so the 2039 USD825 * 1.22 approx. conversion to CAD = CAD1007 + 230+ in fees = you said around CAD 1230 ...

so no shipping cost?
Yeah, this is the problem ordering from the U.S.:), too many numbers.
At the time I ordered the sub I think the rate was 1.16 to 1.18 Today its 1.15

Sub $825
Shipping $54.37
Total $1020 CAD

Tax $147.10
Brok $62.50
Brok tax $4.38
Total $213.98 CAD

Grand Total around $1233.98

Sorry to confuse you mike, we need SVS distributors in Canada and elsewhere;)

[mike c]

no confusion really. thanks for all the help! but now you've tempted me to buy SVS! btw, BJP ... what other subs have you used and listened to (for comparison to the 2039)

[Josuah]

The 16-46PC+ does have lower extension than the PC-Ultra because you can plug a port and switch it to 12Hz tune mode. The frequency response in 12Hz mode is not included on the 16-46PC+ plot.

For a single subwoofer, the PC-Ultra will have less distortion. I'm not sure if it will provide more SPL than the 16-46PC+. I decided to purchase a pair of 16-46PC+ subs so I would have less distortion than a single sub and lower extension than the PC-Ultra.

[WoofBoyZaq]

You can plug two ports on the Ultra and set it to 12 Hz mode as well.

I also think you lose somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 db off the top when you do that.

Depending on the volume you listen at and the size of your room, that may well be an issue.

My suggest for the ultra has more to do with the PEQ than the absolute bottom extension. (Mine is currently at 20 hz but will likely to visit 16 soon to see how it sounds down there.)

[mike c]

Ron and the SVS page said that they did not recommend plugging a second port for the 12hz tune

[mike c]

woofboy,
funny, i missed the part on the page that says PEQ. that seems to be very important. btw, how big is your room?

2 questions, I presume both bungs come free right? and the top cover grill also comes free?

[BJP]

no confusion really. thanks for all the help! but now you've tempted me to buy SVS! btw, BJP ... what other subs have you used and listened to (for comparison to the 2039)
The 2039 replaced the Athena Sub 8, what a difference!

During my sub upgrade plan there were four subs I was interested in.
Axiom EP500, HSU VTF-3 Mk2, SVS 20-39PC Plus and Paradigm PW2200.

I didn't demo the EP500 or the PW2200.

The subs I did listen to are the:
Velodyne DPS 10B/12B
Athena AS-P4000
PSP sub5i

I know these subs don't come close to the SVS, that's why it went with it.

I wanted a 12"/~500watts/20Hz sub.
If cost is not a factor go with SVS, they are quite impressive:)

[Sheep]

The 2039 replaced the Athena Sub 8, what a difference!

During my sub upgrade plan there were four subs I was interested in.
Axiom EP500, HSU VTF-3 Mk2, SVS 20-39PC Plus and Paradigm PW2200.

I didn't demo the EP500 or the PW2200.

The subs I did listen to are the:
Velodyne DPS 10B/12B
Athena AS-P4000
PSP sub5i

I know these subs don't come close to the SVS, that's why it went with it.

I wanted a 12"/~500watts/20Hz sub.
If cost is not a factor go with SVS, they are quite impressive:)

The Athena AS-P4000 is a 10inch sub. The P6000 is the 12inch. I have the DPS-12 and its a decent sub. I paid 399CAD for it, so I got a good deal. It also has a 24Hz subsonic filter, so its not going to get down really deep anyway. 25Hz at -3dB is good enough right now.

SheepStar

[BJP]

The Athena AS-P4000 is a 10inch sub. The P6000 is the 12inch. I have the DPS-12 and its a decent sub. I paid 399CAD for it, so I got a good deal. It also has a 24Hz subsonic filter, so its not going to get down really deep anyway. 25Hz at -3dB is good enough right now.

SheepStar
$399. You saved $200 at Future Shop, right?

I was tempted by the DPS-12 before I thought about Axiom/HSU/SVS/Paradigm. I didn't like the digital control volume, I prefer analog. Whenever the power goes out you would have to reset it.

I didn't do much indepth listening with the 12, do you find it better for movies or music?

[Sheep]

$399. You saved $200 at Future Shop, right?

I was tempted by the DPS-12 before I thought about Axiom/HSU/SVS/Paradigm. I didn't like the digital control volume, I prefer analog. Whenever the power goes out you would have to reset it.

I didn't do much indepth listening with the 12, do you find it better for movies or music?

Yeah, It was on sale for 4 hours on christmas day.

It's definately a movie subwoofer, but it does alright with music. It doesn't boom in the 50 60Hz area, it booms in the 30 40Hz area. Which is why I like it with movies. Any music with bass down there might not sound that great. But, it better then any other 399 dollar subwoofer thats for sure.

SheepStar

[Ron Temple]

Yeah, It was on sale for 4 hours on christmas day.

It's definately a movie subwoofer, but it does alright with music. It doesn't boom in the 50 60Hz area, it booms in the 30 40Hz area. Which is why I like it with movies. Any music with bass down there might not sound that great. But, it better then any other 399 dollar subwoofer thats for sure.

SheepStarIn Jazz/Classical it's -5 db down at 35hz. The 10 was very clean in the 30s. For movies I preferred that preset, but it got very sloppy below 25hz and rumbled down to 20.