Uh oh did I just buy the wrong receiver?

[JohnT]

The SB13U is very nice but if you are not prepared to pay that much then the F12SE should be able to do the job for you. Or if you want to conserve cash, go with the F12 that offers identical SQ, just no piano black finish. You do have to pay more for that more musical bass, but you may as well bite the bullet and do it right the first time.

I don't know I'm not really one for sealed subs. I think they sound phenomenal with music, but I think of a ported sub when I think of a subwoofer. Especially for movies.

I'm considering the following subs to audition at my house so I can choose one:

SVS SP-2000
SVS SB-2000 (maybe)
PSA V1500

Have you ever auditioned anything and then returned it? I'm a little suspicious. Free shipping both ways within the audition period? HMM

 

[ATLAudio]

John,

SVS is to be commended for being the pioneer of quality ID subwoofers, and they do make good subwoofer, but now since they have gone retail they don't have the same value as other ID brands. This is one reason Tom Vodhannel (the "V" in SVS) left the company and founded Power Sound Audio. Go back to Data-Bass.com and compare the PSA XS15se with that SVS Ultra, they have virtually the same CEA 2010 max, but the PSA is about half the price. PSA doesn't have to pay BB to stock their products and get a taste of the action.

The SVS SB2000 is way under powered IMO
The SVS PB2000 is a decent sub, but a better sub can be found for the money
PSA V1500, this is the new line with the ICE amp, if you don't mind spending the money, you'll have a hard time finding a better sub for what you pay. PSA will also pay for return shipping in the unlikely event you aren't happy.

You said resale was an issue? TRUST ME, any ID sub will sale fast on Craigslist. Folks will probably try to buy it first. However, the PSA V1500 with what you have will rock your world. I doubt you'll be unloading it anytime soon.

 

[KEW]

I also tried the SB-2000 and wasn't very impressed with it. It was VERY boomy at the store.

Thanks for this info. That means you hear subs the way I do. It is not your imagination. Here is the impulse graph of the SB2000's little brother (the SB1000), see how the bass is sustained in the ~25Hz region - it is not tight, it has over-hang:

I have not seen an equivalent chart for the SB2000, but I am pretty sure it is largely the same design, but tuned/adapted to the 12" driver (instead of the 10" in the SB1000) which pushes that overhang down closer to 20Hz. This may be the result of ringing from a high pass filter and how SVS EQ'ed the system.
But it may also be a design decision to "compensate" for the absence of the very low frequencies. If you were watching Transformers, hearing that much low frequency energy out of that small of a box is a thrill!

Here is the SB13 Ultra. You can see how much more quickly the red/orange and yellow drop off:

Here is the Rythmik E15HP. The Rythmik F12se is also a sealed sub using Rythmik's servo technology, so it is a safe bet it would be very simular:

See how even it is across the frequency spectrum. All yellow is gone below 10ms (close to 5!). If you can work the F12SE into your budget, that is really your best option, IMHO.

PS-I do not have any affiliation with Rythmik. I did go through a lot of frustration with boomy subs before buying my Rythmik subs and hope to save others that frustration/regret/expense when I can.

 

[KEW]

I should add that PSA XS15se is also an excellent (tight) sub.

This is the only chart I have seen that rivals the Rythmik.
I am not too quick to recommend it to you because it is a fairly large box 19.5"x17"x18" (HWD), and I assume that is low on the WAF scale.

As you can see, both the Rythmik and the PSA sealed subs are much tighter (and therefore, more musical, IMHO) than the SVS SB13 Ultra (which is a great sub as you heard).

Rythmik does not have free shipping both ways, so it would cost you to audition it.

Tell us where you are (in general terms). If you are near me, you are welcome to come have a listen).

Trust the charts above (measured by Jim Wilson - aka Jman). If you don't want boomy, they tell the tale.

I agree that you may not want a ported sub. If the SB2000 was too boomy, I don't think you really want a ported sub. For example, here is the PB1000:

Some people believe this overhang is not a big deal (not that audible), but your comments about the SB2000 make it clear that you are not one of them!

 

[KEW]

If you are considering the ported PSA, that tells me the smaller (but still large) PSA sealed subs are an option.
Call PSA and talk to Tom V. about your experience with the SVS SB2000 and SB13 Ultra. He is familiar enough with their designs to be able to direct you. Their ported may be as tight as the SB13 Ultra. I would be a little surprised, but it is possible and I am surprised at how tight their SX15se is!
Direct him to this thread and discuss your needs.

 

[ATLAudio]

If you are considering the ported PSA, that tells me the smaller (but still large) PSA sealed subs are an option.
Call PSA and talk to Tom V. about your experience with the SVS SB2000 and SB13 Ultra. He is familiar enough with their designs to be able to direct you. Their ported may be as tight as the SB13 Ultra. I would be a little surprised, but it is possible and I am surprised at how tight their SX15se is!
Direct him to this thread and discuss your needs.

Kurt,

I couldn't be happier with mine. That is of course until I have a second. I'm pretty sure I'll have decent response down close to 10hz for HT.

Also check out the other measurements on DataBass. I don't know of a better impulse response. When you also consider it has the same CEA 2010 output as the JL Audio E112, and aforementioned SVS for about half the price, it's a no brainer. I also listen to a lot of music and vinyl, so a sealed design was my first choice!

 

[JohnT]

If you are considering the ported PSA, that tells me the smaller (but still large) PSA sealed subs are an option.
Call PSA and talk to Tom V. about your experience with the SVS SB2000 and SB13 Ultra. He is familiar enough with their designs to be able to direct you. Their ported may be as tight as the SB13 Ultra. I would be a little surprised, but it is possible and I am surprised at how tight their SX15se is!
Direct him to this thread and discuss your needs.

Where are you getting all these charts from? Did you provide a link in a previous post and I just missed it?

 

[JohnT]

I called up PSA's number and spoke to Tom for about an hour. He answered a lot of my questions and basically I ordered a V1500. It's a ported 15" monster with a 725w amplifier. The WAF was very low. But in terms of numbers, it's only $150 over my budget which I think is going to be okay.

Tom pretty much said modern ported subs that are properly designed won't leave much to be desired when it comes to music. Except that ported subs are going to extend much lower. I'm taking his word for it, but it seems logical to me.

I'm debating if I should even bother auditioning any SVS subs at all. They don't offer any that compares to the V1500 that I can squeeze into my budget.

 

[ATLAudio]

I called up PSA's number and spoke to Tom for about an hour. He answered a lot of my questions and basically I ordered a V1500. It's a ported 15" monster with a 725w amplifier. The WAF was very low. But in terms of numbers, it's only $150 over my budget which I think is going to be okay.

Tom pretty much said modern ported subs that are properly designed won't leave much to be desired when it comes to music. Except that ported subs are going to extend much lower. I'm taking his word for it, but it seems logical to me.

I'm debating if I should even bother auditioning any SVS subs at all. They don't offer any that compares to the V1500 that I can squeeze into my budget.

Therein lies the issue with SVS. I love the idea of a three port variable tuned monster, but they want way too much for it. They started the ID sub concept and were the trendsetters for a long time. However, when I saw their prices starting to creep up I had my suspicions. When they started landing in Best Buy my suspicions were confirmed.

I doubt you'll have any issue with the V1500. Find a corner for it (best place for a sub in most rooms) and the WAF will be less of a factor.

Come back and let us know how you like it.

 

[KEW]

Where are you getting all these charts from? Did you provide a link in a previous post and I just missed it?

Sorry, just now seeing this!
Unfortunately Jim Wilson's reviews are not well organized in a database. I favorited them in my browser. Here are links to the ones I pulled graphs from:

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/113-subwoofers-bass-transducers/1471574-rythmik-e15-vs-svs-sb13-ultra-4.html#post24544440
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-reviews/93241-powersound-audio-xs15se-subwoofer-review.html
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-reviews/66069-svs-pb1000-sb1000-subwoofer-review.html


Googling "Jim Wilson Subwoofer Review site:www.hometheatershack.com" will get you a lot more.