SVS SB13-Ultra Subwoofer Review

[Steve81]

But if you read the review on the baddest Funk, that thing put out over 120 dB for anything above 32 Hz IIRC, i.e. would still killed the PBU/2 wouldn't it?

	PB13U 20Hz	PB13U 15Hz	FW18.0 (120v)	Diff 1	Diff 2
10Hz	N/A	N/A	91.4	N/A	N/A
12.5Hz	N/A	89.3	94.6	N/A	5.3
16Hz	97.4	105.1	98.6	1.2	-6.5
20Hz	110.6	109.2	103.4	-7.2	-5.8
25Hz	113.5	111.1	108.2	-5.3	-2.9
31.5Hz	115.5	113.6	114.5	-1	0.9
40Hz	117.5	116.4	119.4	1.9	3
50Hz	117.8	116.7	120.8	3	4.1
63Hz	116.6	115.9	121.2	4.6	5.3
80Hz	115.3	114.8	121.2	5.9	6.4
100Hz	114.4	113.8	121	6.6	7.2
125Hz	114.1	113.4	121	6.9	7.6

<tbody>
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Presuming the hypothetical PB13U/2 was 2x of a single, you'd add 6dB to its numbers. Of course I'd note the FW18.0 isn't the biggest, baddest sub they produce. The "baddest" stock sub is the 18.2 (dual 18" TSAD v2 drivers in a sealed box with a couple different power packages).

 

[Steve81]

I have fallen on hard times and need some quick cash to repair my truck. What would you kind folks consider as a fair asking price for a 1yr old SB13-Ultra?

Thanks in advance to all who reply.

I'd say about $1250 give or take.

 

[mike c]

	PB13U 20Hz	PB13U 15Hz	FW18.0 (120v)	Diff 1	Diff 2
10Hz	N/A	N/A	91.4	N/A	N/A
12.5Hz	N/A	89.3	94.6	N/A	5.3
16Hz	97.4	105.1	98.6	1.2	-6.5
20Hz	110.6	109.2	103.4	-7.2	-5.8
25Hz	113.5	111.1	108.2	-5.3	-2.9
31.5Hz	115.5	113.6	114.5	-1	0.9
40Hz	117.5	116.4	119.4	1.9	3
50Hz	117.8	116.7	120.8	3	4.1
63Hz	116.6	115.9	121.2	4.6	5.3
80Hz	115.3	114.8	121.2	5.9	6.4
100Hz	114.4	113.8	121	6.6	7.2
125Hz	114.1	113.4	121	6.9	7.6

<tbody>
</tbody>

Presuming the hypothetical PB13U/2 was 2x of a single, you'd add 6dB to its numbers. Of course I'd note the FW18.0 isn't the biggest, baddest sub they produce. The "baddest" stock sub is the 18.2 (dual 18" TSAD v2 drivers in a sealed box with a couple different power packages).

i assume you just had this lying around

where's the SB13?

-0-

PENG, it would be unfair to compare sealeds vs porteds since they both have different goals. as steve's chart shows, one has the low end advantage while the other has the midbass advantage.

 

[PENG]

i assume you just had this lying around

where's the SB13?

-0-

PENG, it would be unfair to compare sealeds vs porteds since they both have different goals. as steve's chart shows, one has the low end advantage while the other has the midbass advantage.

You are right, that's why I cheated by referring to the range from 32 Hz and up but I guess I failed to pull woof over your eyes.

 

[PENG]

	PB13U 20Hz	PB13U 15Hz	FW18.0 (120v)	Diff 1	Diff 2
10Hz	N/A	N/A	91.4	N/A	N/A
12.5Hz	N/A	89.3	94.6	N/A	5.3
16Hz	97.4	105.1	98.6	1.2	-6.5
20Hz	110.6	109.2	103.4	-7.2	-5.8
25Hz	113.5	111.1	108.2	-5.3	-2.9
31.5Hz	115.5	113.6	114.5	-1	0.9
40Hz	117.5	116.4	119.4	1.9	3
50Hz	117.8	116.7	120.8	3	4.1
63Hz	116.6	115.9	121.2	4.6	5.3
80Hz	115.3	114.8	121.2	5.9	6.4
100Hz	114.4	113.8	121	6.6	7.2
125Hz	114.1	113.4	121	6.9	7.6

<tbody>
</tbody>

Presuming the hypothetical PB13U/2 was 2x of a single, you'd add 6dB to its numbers. Of course I'd note the FW18.0 isn't the biggest, baddest sub they produce. The "baddest" stock sub is the 18.2 (dual 18" TSAD v2 drivers in a sealed box with a couple different power packages).

Wow, impressive, so quick with tables, you must be an financial wizard and excel in Excel too!! So are there any tests on the real ultimate baddest Funk, not that I an afford one though so better not as I can't resist good numbers too well.

 

[Steve81]

Wow, impressive, so quick with tables, you must be an financial wizard and excel in Excel too!! So are there any tests on the real ultimate baddest Funk, not that I an afford one though so better not as I can't resist good numbers too well.

Fortunately Excel pastes to the forums seamlessly

No tests on the 18.2 that I'm aware of, though the upgraded amp claims 20kW of output, so adding 6dB to the FW 18.0's passive numbers at data-bass might be a decent, albeit still rough, estimate.

 

[Steve81]

i assume you just had this lying around

I probably do somewhere, but I just whipped this one up

PENG, it would be unfair to compare sealeds vs porteds since they both have different goals. as steve's chart shows, one has the low end advantage while the other has the midbass advantage.

Indeed; of course there's also a question of how low one wishes to go. My endgame involves a second FW18.0; while that won't net me 120dB at 3Hz, I reckon it's enough to get "respectable" output down to 10Hz in my room.

 

[billy p]

I just swapped the drive units to the newer SE version on my XS30 and it certainly narrowed the gap significantly. I still have a warm spot for the SB13U and would easily spearhead any stereo system I would want to start-up. As for all the added features I found the majority of them moot...as I like to setup and use my REQ and leave things alone. It would be nice if Svs could offer a few different amp options kind of like Rythmik to help reduce the cost...I'd hate like hell to spend 2K for all those added features and I don't use/need any of them. The sub/or driver, design & construction alone is worth the price but other viable options are available for less.

That is interesting you preferred the XS30 to the SB13 Ultra. It seems like the XS30 would probably be better in terms of output and price, but the SB13 Ultra better in terms of size, fit and finish and DSP adjustments to make it work better in your room. So is music the priority for you or home theater?


I would love of Josh Ricci would review a big sealed sub like the Powersound XS30 or even the Rythmik F25. They seem to almost have the output capabilities of a good ported sub, like the SVS PB12+ or Rythmik FV15HP, but in a sealed design. Also, it would be interesting to see how they stack up to the SB13, since they do seem to have the price and output advantage, if you are okay with the larger size.

 

[its phillip]

iPENG, it would be unfair to compare sealeds vs porteds since they both have different goals. as steve's chart shows, one has the low end advantage while the other has the midbass advantage.

The ported unit only has the advantage around tune. The sealed units have the advantage everywhere else - not just in the midbass/upper bass

 

[mike c]

The ported unit only has the advantage around tune. The sealed units have the advantage everywhere else - not just in the midbass/upper bass

yeah, my bad for defining 30hz and up as midbass. (i remember trying quad pb13ultras in sealed mode if i could feel the 10hz content, but i don't think i did, but that was a hard room to pressurize).

 

[mychaelp]

Interesting read, thanks for posting.
My SVS has been reliable for more than 7 years. Seems you get even more bang for the money these days. The only issue I have is trying to adjust the phase dial. Seems if i go with the "loudest" setting it is more boomy, so I keep it at the other end for tight bass but it take a higher setting to get the same volume.
The 30hz setting the other guy posted is amazing! I have mine at 50hz and wish I could lower it.

 

[nickboros]

Interesting read, thanks for posting.
My SVS has been reliable for more than 7 years. Seems you get even more bang for the money these days. The only issue I have is trying to adjust the phase dial. Seems if i go with the "loudest" setting it is more boomy, so I keep it at the other end for tight bass but it take a higher setting to get the same volume.
The 30hz setting the other guy posted is amazing! I have mine at 50hz and wish I could lower it.

The Rythmik Audio website has a nice example of how to set the phase purely on where you are setting the crossover frequency and the distance to the main seating area, which I had never seen or heard of anywhere else. I set my subwoofer's phase in the receiver by adjusting the distance the main seat as explained in the link. The only difficulty is converting meters to feet at the end.

Rythmik Audio • Advice - phase alignment page 3

 

[agarwalro]

The Rythmik Audio website has a nice example of how to set the phase purely on where you are setting the crossover frequency and the distance to the main seating area, which I had never seen or heard of anywhere else. I set my subwoofer's phase in the receiver by adjusting the distance the main seat as explained in the link. The only difficulty is converting meters to feet at the end.

Rythmik Audio • Advice - phase alignment page 3

Ref. bold: You're saying someone that has the acumen to read two phase plots and determine delta at crossover frequency, use the phase delta to get correction in distance (meters) is going to get tripped up by having to multiply the figure by 3.28 to arrive at correction distance in feet! Alternately, said person may choose to start with speed of sound in ft/s.

Either way, mainstream AVRs allow for distance setting unit of meters or feet .

 

[Basshead81]

I think you should give the new drivers some time to break in before passing such judgement. They will get even better with some run time.

I just swapped the drive units to the newer SE version on my XS30 and it certainly narrowed the gap significantly. I still have a warm spot for the SB13U and would easily spearhead any stereo system I would want to start-up. As for all the added features I found the majority of them moot...as I like to setup and use my REQ and leave things alone. It would be nice if Svs could offer a few different amp options kind of like Rythmik to help reduce the cost...I'd hate like hell to spend 2K for all those added features and I don't use/need any of them. The sub/or driver, design & construction alone is worth the price but other viable options are available for less.

 

[Basshead81]

If I am reading this correctly adding a second driver would only yield 3db not 6. Displacement and power must both be doubled to achieve a 6db gain.

	PB13U 20Hz	PB13U 15Hz	FW18.0 (120v)	Diff 1	Diff 2
10Hz	N/A	N/A	91.4	N/A	N/A
12.5Hz	N/A	89.3	94.6	N/A	5.3
16Hz	97.4	105.1	98.6	1.2	-6.5
20Hz	110.6	109.2	103.4	-7.2	-5.8
25Hz	113.5	111.1	108.2	-5.3	-2.9
31.5Hz	115.5	113.6	114.5	-1	0.9
40Hz	117.5	116.4	119.4	1.9	3
50Hz	117.8	116.7	120.8	3	4.1
63Hz	116.6	115.9	121.2	4.6	5.3
80Hz	115.3	114.8	121.2	5.9	6.4
100Hz	114.4	113.8	121	6.6	7.2
125Hz	114.1	113.4	121	6.9	7.6

<tbody>
</tbody>

Presuming the hypothetical PB13U/2 was 2x of a single, you'd add 6dB to its numbers. Of course I'd note the FW18.0 isn't the biggest, baddest sub they produce. The "baddest" stock sub is the 18.2 (dual 18" TSAD v2 drivers in a sealed box with a couple different power packages).

 

[Steve81]

If I am reading this correctly adding a second driver would only yield 3db not 6. Displacement and power must both be doubled to achieve a 6db gain.

Correct; my assumption was if SVS went for a /2 model, they'd double down on the power. Of course you'd need the box volume and additional port area to go along with it as well.

 

[Basshead81]

Thanks for clarifying.

The only problem I would see with that is size. 2 13" Ultras in a single enclosure would make for a Massive sub. I am guessing the driver would need to be redesigned to help keep the size down a bit and probably go with even more power. 4kw sledge dual 13" drivers in a 10cft enclosure.

 

[Steve81]

Thanks for clarifying.

No problem. As a side note, actually doubling the displacement IS a 6dB gain, but you need 2x the power to realize the full displacement of both drivers. Otherwise you're just left with the efficiency gain of adding the second driver (3dB).

The only problem I would see with that is size. 2 13" Ultras in a single enclosure would make for a Massive sub. I am guessing the driver would need to be redesigned to help keep the size down a bit and probably go with even more power. 4kw sledge dual 13" drivers in a 10cft enclosure.

No doubt; there's also the issue of weight, with a pair of drivers tipping the scales at ~100 pounds on their own, let alone a large, Ultra-grade cabinet.

 

[wlmmn]

I wonder how this subwoofer compares to the PSA XS30se? I don't see many PSA sub reviews on here.

 

[Steve81]

I wonder how this subwoofer compares to the PSA XS30se?

Josh Ricci measured the XS15se which you can directly compare to the SB13U measurements here:
Data-Bass

Per PSA's website, the XS30se averages 4.6dB more output from 16-100Hz than the XS15se.