PSA S3611 or SVS PB16

[Dirty Beret]

Trying to decide if I should purchase the SVS PB16 or the PSA S3611. Or does anyone know of another sub, at the price point, that performs as good or better. At this time, these two subwoofers are very strong and respond to extremely low frequencies above 100db without an astronomical price point. Just looking for ideas.

 

[shadyJ]

Trying to decide if I should purchase the SVS PB16 or the PSA S3611. Or does anyone know of another sub, at the price point, that performs as good or better. At this time, these two subwoofers are very strong and respond to extremely low frequencies above 100db without an astronomical price point. Just looking for ideas.

The PB16 is geared toward deep bass and the S3611 is geared for mid-bass. That is it in a nutshell regarding performance between these two.

 

[Dirty Beret]

Yeah, that PB16 was a monster, but the S3611 did sound, or should I say I felt the pressure of extreme low frequencies. It was pretty impressive to be a dual 18" driver in a sealed enclosure. It's my first time hearing a sealed enclosure perform that low, with the intensity of a ported box. The only issue I didn't like about the PB16 was port noise, which that's the nature of a ported sub when playing them really loud. Without it, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. You can feel both models, nor did either distort at high volume levels while responding to low frequencies.

I've been looking for a review by Audioholics to see if they tested these subwoofers.

I wonder if there's another subwoofer at the price point these subwoofers are sold at. The PB16 is $2500 and S3611 is $2000. I was looking to purchase Martin Logan subwoofers. I like their speakers but their subwoofers are not in the same class at all.

 

[ryanosaur]

Offerings from Rythmik, JTR, and Deep Sea Sound come to mind.

 

[Dirty Beret]

Cool, I'll look into them. Any model in particular?

 

[ryanosaur]

Cool, I'll look in to them. Any model in particular?

The big ones?

Seems like if you're willing to spend in the $2500 range, looking at some of these offerings is at least due diligence. I'll let you decide what's worth your time. Data Bass is a great resource for third-party testing of some subs. Good info there, highly respected.
https://www.deepseasound.com/collections/all
http://jtrspeakers.com/home-audio.html
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/
https://data-bass.com/systems

 

[Dirty Beret]

Yes sir...

And the JTR Captivator 4000-ULF has impressive data. 10Hz native tuning, measuring 106dB at 10Hz , 4000w RMS amplifier, 265LBS... WOW...

It's over my budget, but I think I can make it happen. I thought the SVS PB16 was strong, but the JTR Captivator 4000-ULF looks like it will take destroy my house... LOL Which I'm willing to take the risk. I want to hear them.

Thank you for the information. Doing the research now...

 

[ryanosaur]

Ha! Even better.
Check out Funk, and Seaton Sound, too.

 

[shadyJ]

I've been looking for a review by Audioholics to see if they tested these subwoofers.

PB16-Ultra review.

These massive subs are fun and all, but personally I am a bigger fan of a multiple, smaller sub system. You can get the same SPL and a much better frequency response for almost the same money, and you don't have to deal with the back-breaking weight of moving one massive behemoth. Consider that for the cost of a PB16-Ultra, you could get 3 PC-2000s, and they would match its output and be WAY easier to deal with physically. And you could get a much flatter response and thus a much more accurate bass response. Look at the other sub $1k subs from Outlaw Audio, SVS, Hsu Research, Monoprice Monolith.

 

[Hetfield]

PB16-Ultra review.

These massive subs are fun and all, but personally I am a bigger fan of a multiple, smaller sub system. You can get the same SPL and a much better frequency response for almost the same money, and you don't have to deal with the back-breaking weight of moving one massive behemoth. Consider that for the cost of a PB16-Ultra, you could get 3 PC-2000s, and they would match its output and be WAY easier to deal with physically. And you could get a much flatter response and thus a much more accurate bass response. Look at the other sub $1k subs from Outlaw Audio, SVS, Hsu Research, Monoprice Monolith.

This, I agree with this.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[ryanosaur]

Indeed, I too am in agreement. My 2 X-13s perform great, and I can move each by myself for the most part, (though I need somebody to help if they need to be lifted (~100# ea)). More importantly, though, I agree about the bass response of multiple subs placed strategically around the room. My fantasy is having 5 LF sources in my room. How that looks, I don't know, but two X-13, my Full Range Towers... and maybe something to boost mid bass?

As fantastic as those super subs are, I'd personally be more inclined to look at 2 15" subs, or 2 PC4000s to begin, adding more as you feel necessary for your room and listening preference.

Cheers!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

http://rythmikaudio.com/FV25HP.html

 

[Dirty Beret]

I have two Cerwin Vega down firing subs. I've had them for 20 years now. No, they are nowhere near the performance of subwoofers made today in the same class. I figured I'd purchase one super sub with lower bass extension. My front drivers are Infinity SM255 wired to a Hafler amplifier. They sound very full and crossover with the Vega nicely.

I was thinking of purchasing the PSA S3611 or SVS PB16. Evaluate the sound, if needed buy another, and retire the Cerwin Vegas. I'm glad that I'm getting great advice and information. The JTR Captivator 4000-ULF is a monstrous subwoofer and moving it would be no chore.

Now looking at the chart, there a lot of options to consider.

 

[kini]

I have two Cerwin Vega down firing subs. I've had them for 20 years now. No, they are nowhere near the performance of subwoofers made today in the same class. I figured I'd purchase one super sub with lower bass extension. My front drivers are Infinity SM255 wired to a Hafler amplifier. They sound very full and crossover with the Vega nicely.

I was thinking of purchasing the PSA S3611 or SVS PB16. Evaluate the sound, if needed buy another, and retire the Cerwin Vegas. I'm glad that I'm getting great advice and information. The JTR Captivator 4000-ULF is a monstrous subwoofer and moving it would be no chore.

Now looking at the chart, there a lot of options to consider.

Take a look at the databass numbers for the Rythmik FV25HP. You can't buy a commercially made sub that has better numbers for the price. It's the one I would buy with a $2500 limit.

 

[shadyJ]

Take a look at the databass numbers for the Rythmik FV25HP. You can't buy a commercially made sub that has better numbers for the price. It's the one I would buy with a $2500 limit.

If you wanted to look at it in terms of numbers, you could buy three Hsu VTF-3 mk5s for just a hair under $2600 and that would smash the FV25HP at almost every frequency except maybe below 16 Hz. And three 85 lbs subs would soooo much easier to deal with than a single 210 lbs sub.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd stick to multiples too. Unless you feel that after a bit you'd save up and buy a second great big massive sub and I'd probably vote the 3611 in that case.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I'd stick to multiples too. Unless you feel that after a bit you'd save up and buy a second great big massive sub and I'd probably vote the 3611 in that case.

Ok. Curious, why the 3611?

 

[lovinthehd]

I like the idea of dual opposed 18"s....the sub I haven't built (yet, have the drivers, will be getting the plywood soon, will go nicely I think with the same driver I have in three sealed boxes as singles).

 

[ryanosaur]

Oooooohhh! (in my best homer simpson)

Still sealed, I presume? All in the same room?

 

[lovinthehd]

Oooooohhh! (in my best homer simpson)

Still sealed, I presume? All in the same room?

Yes, all sealed (is there even a dual-opposed ported design out there?). Didn't want the box size of the ported nor the extra build complexity. With enough of them (and amps to go with) no problem for the low stuff.