SVS PB 13-Ultra or Goldenear Supersub XXL

[JDCO]

Hey guys. New to the forums here. Have read a lot of threads with great info. Recently started looking at a new sub for my home for mainly movies. Heave read lots of reviews. I've read great things about the SVS PB 13-Ultra. Even from this website the review got great ratings. Just being an ID company kinda stinks I can't hear/feel in person. I was between this and Goldenears new flagship sub the XXL. Which I have heard in person at a local home audio dealer for them. Wanted to see what you guys thought. Very limited information out there right now on the Goldenear since it was released only a month or so ago. Any opinions/information would be greatly appreciated!

 

[its phillip]

Neither.

If you want to try the SVS you can of course try it and return it if you don't like it (you'll probably love it). SVS will cover shipping both ways.

I'd recommend pairs of the following:
HSU VTF-15 Mk2
HSU VTF-3 Mk5
Reaction Audio Echo 15 (free trial like the SVS)
Rythmik FVX15

 

[shadyJ]

Neither.

If you want to try the SVS you can of course try it and return it if you don't like it (you'll probably love it). SVS will cover shipping both ways.

I'd recommend pairs of the following:
HSU VTF-15 Mk2
HSU VTF-3 Mk5
Reaction Audio Echo 15 (free trial like the SVS)
Rythmik FVX15

A big +1 on this. A pair of any of those will have a major performance advantage over a single PB13 or Golden Ear sub- and cost less.

 

[AJM]

Another +1 on the SVS.

 

[JDCO]

Not sure if this will factor in going down that road at all. But my pioneer receiver only has one pre out/subwoofer connection on it. So if I were to do 2 subs I would have to use a y cable and I had heard that doing that will knock 3dB right off the bat. This still a non factor compared to the dual performance gain?

 

[its phillip]

Not sure if this will factor in going down that road at all. But my pioneer receiver only has one pre out/subwoofer connection on it. So if I were to do 2 subs I would have to use a y cable and I had heard that doing that will knock 3dB right off the bat. This still a non factor compared to the dual performance gain?

That's incorrect.

 

[shadyJ]

The Y splitter does not knock your gain by 3 dB. And if it did, that is easy to compensate for, just turn the gain knob or subwoofer out level up by 3 dB. So yes, it is a non-factor compared to dual performance gain.

 

[JDCO]

Good to know. I have been reading the reviews on the hsu vtf-15 mk2. Very tempting to get two of those. Only downside to them is the 26" depth. Will poke out into a walk way a little.

 

[Auditor55]

Good to know. I have been reading the reviews on the hsu vtf-15 mk2. Very tempting to get two of those. Only downside to them is the 26" depth. Will poke out into a walk way a little.

You're going to have to make a compromise, its either aesthetics and or great sounding bass

 

[JDCO]

First world problems I guess!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer is a bit smaller and cheaper, but does not loose much of performance to it's bigger brother. It uses exactly same driver

 

[shadyJ]

Good to know. I have been reading the reviews on the hsu vtf-15 mk2. Very tempting to get two of those. Only downside to them is the 26" depth. Will poke out into a walk way a little.

VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer is a bit smaller and cheaper, but does not loose much of performance to it's bigger brother. It uses exactly same driver

The VTF3 is a good solution. It is 4.5" shallower than the VTF15h mk2, and has mostly the same performance as the VTF15h, only giving up a couple decibels at 20 Hz and below. A VTF3 mk5 dual drive is also $300 less than a VTF15h mk2 dual drive.

 

[JDCO]

That's awesome info. Thank you guys. I guess with a dual subsystem it would still be a "earthshaking" performance out of two of the VTF3 mk5's for less size and money!

 

[JDCO]

I guess my last question would be for anyone with good knowledge of the charts they have on the VTF3 mk5 as I do not have the knowledge to understand them or if anyone has a VTF3 mk5 themselves and could weigh in. I have a 2,000cft room and 90% of the time is used for movies. Would 2 VTF3 mk5's be sufficient enough for that space to feel the rumble. Or would I have to step up to the VTF 15 mk2. Thank you everyone who has helped. Much appreciated

 

[shadyJ]

Two VTF3 mk5s will totally own that room. I am sure you will be fine with the VTF3s. I listened to a single VTF3 mk5 in a larger room than that, and it was terrific. Get the VTF3s and set them up correctly, and the next time you hear the Golden Ear sub you will be laughing at it. If you need any tips or advice on dialing in two subs, come back here and we will try to help.

 

[JDCO]

Two VTF3 mk5s will totally own that room. I am sure you will be fine with the VTF3s. I listened to a single VTF3 mk5 in a larger room than that, and it was terrific. Get the VTF3s and set them up correctly, and the next time you hear the Golden Ear sub you will be laughing at it. If you need any tips or advice on dialing in two subs, come back here and we will try to help.

Thanks for the input! I am sold on this setup. I will definitely have to come back here after I get my hands on them. I know the basics of set up. But still pretty much in the dark about it. Much appreciated!

 

[JDCO]

Wanted to see your inputs on the matter again. Just read the review on the XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 subwoofer that had been done recently. There may not be a good answer to this but figured I'd ask anyway. Would the XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 be better at giving you that deep rumble you can feel and better quality then going with 2 of the VTF3 MK5's that I am planning on right now at this time. I know the price difference is roughly about $700.00. Would it be worth it?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Wanted to see your inputs on the matter again. Just read the review on the XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 subwoofer that had been done recently. There may not be a good answer to this but figured I'd ask anyway. Would the XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 be better at giving you that deep rumble you can feel and better quality then going with 2 of the VTF3 MK5's that I am planning on right now at this time. I know the price difference is roughly about $700.00. Would it be worth it?

Apples and Oranges.
You'd need to compare 3x HSU VTF3 subs vs one XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 - and simple math will show potential of moving air by 3x15" diameter drivers is significantly larger than 3x12" ones.
I'm going to go on the limb and say that 3x HSU will have more output and given good room positioning - you'd get much larger area coverage of "good bass"

 

[shadyJ]

Wanted to see your inputs on the matter again. Just read the review on the XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 subwoofer that had been done recently. There may not be a good answer to this but figured I'd ask anyway. Would the XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 be better at giving you that deep rumble you can feel and better quality then going with 2 of the VTF3 MK5's that I am planning on right now at this time. I know the price difference is roughly about $700.00. Would it be worth it?

To compare two VTF3s against one 3X12 using CEA-2010 measurements, you need to adjust their stated CEA-2010 measurements a bit. That will give you something close to an answer. What you need to make them comparable is take the CEA-2010 measurements from the VTF3 product page, and subtract 3 dB from each measurement, and compare that to the measurements taken by audioholics here. The reason for this is the Hsu measurements are 1 meter peak values and the posted measurements for the 3x12 are 2 meter RMS values, and this gives the Hsu values a 9 dB advantage. But adding a second VTF3 would bring its measurements up by 6 dB. So what we are really doing by simply subtracting 3 dB on the Hsu values is subtracting 9 then adding 6. When we do this, we find that two VTF3s are pretty much equaling a 3x12. However, the advantage of dual subs is they can create a more even bass response throughout more of the room. I would go for the Hsu subs because of this. The advantage of the 3X12 is it has excellent performance for the footprint.

 

[shadyJ]

Apples and Oranges.
You'd need to compare 3x HSU VTF3 subs vs one XTZ Cinema Series 3X12 - and simple math will show potential of moving air by 3x15" diameter drivers is significantly larger than 3x12" ones.
I'm going to go on the limb and say that 3x HSU will have more output and given good room positioning - you'd get much larger area coverage of "good bass"

The surface area of two 15" woofers is 353.4" and the surface area of three 12" woofers is 339.3". That is so close that other factors will determine performance advantage. Either system would be great. I would not look forward to moving the 170 lbs 3X12 sub around though, you would really need to know the best place for it before bringing it into the house.