Subwoofer decision help

[Low Visibility]

Hello. During the SVS outlet sale, I was able to pick up a coupleof subs to try out. I was hoping for some advice on the best sound for the dollar. Thanks for anyone willing to take the time to help.

Sub Options

1. PB-1000 or dual PB-1000 ($350 a piece)
2. SB-2000 Pro ($650)
3. Wait for PB-1000 Pro to show up in outlet

Room Details

• 15' wide x 18' long x 8' tall
• Couch 10' away from TV/main speakers, 7' from back wall
• Left wall mostly open to dining room

Listening Preferences

• 80% movies, 10% sports, 10% music (classic rock and jazz)
• No volume constraints, but I tend to prefer clarity and dynamic range over sheer volume (but I do want to feel the bass still)

Speaker setup
Denon x-2400h
B1+ for fronts
C2+ center
E2+ rears (likely bipole near couch, 1ft above ear level)

Thanks again all.

 

[shadyJ]

From those choices, I would go for dual PB-1000s.

 

[lovinthehd]

Is there a need for smaller boxes like the sealed subs would provide? Dual PB1000s should do a great job for you, tho, and the older versions for $350 each is a very nice price....altho the newer larger PB1000Pros are quite nice, too.

Not sure what your speakers are particularly (what brand is that?) I wouldn't do bipoles for surrounds myself, is there a particular reason for such?

 

[Low Visibility]

Is there a need for smaller boxes like the sealed subs would provide? Dual PB1000s should do a great job for you, tho, and the older versions for $350 each is a very nice price....altho the newer larger PB1000Pros are quite nice, too.

Not sure what your speakers are particularly (what brand is that?) I wouldn't do bipoles for surrounds myself, is there a particular reason for such?

Thanks. The PB-2000 pro might be a bit of a tight fit for my space and there was a good deal on a blemised SB-2000 pro that was a better fit. I figured with the SVS return policy I'd pick it up in case the PB-1000s weren't enough. But I might have underestimated the power I needed.

I went with the Emotiva airmotiv brand after reading a lot of reviews. The E2s were on a good sale and with what I was reading at the time, I thought they might provide better sound given my placement options than directional bookshelf speakers in my space. (With my space, I couldn't do side speakers for 7.1.) Not sure it was the best choice but still a great upgrade from my old Energy Take Classics.

I could return them if I pay shipping, but I'm hoping to find a good placement and configuration (bipole/dipole/inverted bipole) that works well. Just not sure where to start with positioning. I've read a foot or so behind to either side of the listening position a foot or so above ear level. Is that a good place to start?

 

[lovinthehd]

Dims

PB1000:
18.9" (H) x 15" (W) x 19.4" (D) (without grille), 18.9" (H) x 15" (W) x 20" (D) (with grille).

PB1000Pro
(without grille): 18.9” (479mm) H X 15” (380mm) W X 19.2” (488mm) D, (w/ grille): 18.9” (479mm) H X 15” (380mm) W X 20” (509mm) D

PB2000Pro
(without grille): 20.9” (532mm) H X 17.3” (440mm) W X 22.5” (571mm) D, (w/ grille): 20.9” (532mm) H X 17.3” (440mm) W X 23.6” (600mm) D


So not huge differences. Not sure what you mean by "power you need" though. Hope you're not referring to the amp spec, as that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Keep in mind dual subs are more about smoothing response/modes through the room rather than an increase in power (altho that is present as well).

Your positioning sounds about right on the surrounds (rear surrounds only come into play with 7.1)

 

[Low Visibility]

Dims

PB1000:
18.9" (H) x 15" (W) x 19.4" (D) (without grille), 18.9" (H) x 15" (W) x 20" (D) (with grille).

PB1000Pro
(without grille): 18.9” (479mm) H X 15” (380mm) W X 19.2” (488mm) D, (w/ grille): 18.9” (479mm) H X 15” (380mm) W X 20” (509mm) D

PB2000Pro
(without grille): 20.9” (532mm) H X 17.3” (440mm) W X 22.5” (571mm) D, (w/ grille): 20.9” (532mm) H X 17.3” (440mm) W X 23.6” (600mm) D


So not huge differences. Not sure what you mean by "power you need" though. Hope you're not referring to the amp spec, as that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Keep in mind dual subs are more about smoothing response/modes through the room rather than an increase in power (altho that is present as well).

Your positioning sounds about right on the surrounds (rear surrounds only come into play with 7.1)

Thanks. In another forum, folks were saying that the opening to my dining room - About 7 ft door on the left side - might mean I need something larger than the PB-1000/SB-2000 pro to create pressure for a better movie watching experience. I'm reading a lot about audio and speakers, but still pretty much a neophyte when it comes to this stuff.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks. In another forum, folks were saying that the opening to my dining room - About 7 ft door on the left side - might mean I need something larger than the PB-1000/SB-2000 pro to create pressure for a better movie watching experience. I'm reading a lot about audio and speakers, but still pretty much a neophyte when it comes to this stuff.

You don't necessarily need to pressurize the whole space, altho that could be very nice to do You can offset larger room effect with more nearfield placement as well. Might start with the AH article on that subject https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/subwoofer-room-size

 

[lovinthehd]

Oh, and if you're new around here you might consider shadyj's opinion since he's our sub/speaker reviewer I would have no problem following his advice (altho I've tended to just find my own way).

 

[Eppie]

Thanks. In another forum, folks were saying that the opening to my dining room - About 7 ft door on the left side - might mean I need something larger than the PB-1000/SB-2000 pro to create pressure for a better movie watching experience. I'm reading a lot about audio and speakers, but still pretty much a neophyte when it comes to this stuff.

How big of a bass fan are you? Are loud movie effects that you can feel important, or do you prefer something more neutral? My room is about 12x15 with an open hallway off one corner and I run a single SB-2000 Pro. When playing music, I can hear the low bass in my workshop two rooms over. For a 15x18 room I bet shadyJ's recommendation of two PB 1000s will more than suffice unless you want movie theatre volumes on a regular basis. That's a great price on the 1000s.

 

[Low Visibility]

You don't necessarily need to pressurize the whole space, altho that could be very nice to do You can offset larger room effect with more nearfield placement as well. Might start with the AH article on that subject https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/subwoofer-room-size

Thanks. I'm going to have to re-read that a couple of times. But really helpful!

 

[Low Visibility]

How big of a bass fan are you? Are loud movie effects that you can feel important, or do you prefer something more neutral? My room is about 12x15 with an open hallway off one corner and I run a single SB-2000 Pro. When playing music, I can hear the low bass in my workshop two rooms over. For a 15x18 room I bet shadyJ's recommendation of two PB 1000s will more than suffice unless you want movie theatre volumes on a regular basis. That's a great price on the 1000s.

Thanks. Is that a Full Metal Alchemist avatar?

I like to feel a bit of the rumble in my chest, especially when watching movies like Inception or Marvel films, but don't need to shake the glasses in my mini bar or next room. I do really want to get a full tone/range of bass when playing movies/games/or music. So it sounds like the dual PB-1000s or SB-2000 pro might work for me. (Likely the folks on the other forum wanted the true movie-theater like experience.)

 

[Low Visibility]

Thanks all for your advice. I've learned a lot from this thread.

In a new turn of events, SVS just restocked their outlet sale with the blemished PB-2000 Pros for $750. So, thanks to their great home trial policy, I'll get to compare dual PB-1000s, SB-2000 pro, and PB-2000 pro after all. I'll post in a week or two once I've decided

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks. I'm going to have to re-read that a couple of times. But really helpful!

Another article to check out https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-setup/basic-subwoofer-setup

 

[Low Visibility]

Another article to check out https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-setup/basic-subwoofer-setup

Thanks. I have been reading about the subwoofer crawl, but the article you gave has more of the details for which I was looking.

 

[Eppie]

Yes, it's FMA, their father Hohenheim.

Sounds like you'll be all set for your trial in a while. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Low Visibility]

I just wanted to follow up on my decision. Thanks to various restocks during the sale, I auditiones several sub woofers: PB 1000, SB-2000 pro, PC-2000 pro, and PB-2000 pro. Both my girlfriend - a classically trained musician - and I both liked the PB-2000 pro the most. (I was hoping to go with a PC-2000 pro, but something about my room setup and/or floors made it sound a bit less clean/detailed than the forward firing .)

After experiencing actual good bass, and since it was only $350, I'm also keeping the PB-1000 for a smaller room.

Thanks again for all of your help and advice!

 

[lovinthehd]

Sounds like you definitely took advantage of SVS' in home trial policy so thank them (and their customers ). Did the PC model fit better or you just preferred it aesthetically? So located in same position you felt it was significantly different? Interesting....

 

[Low Visibility]

Sounds like you definitely took advantage of SVS' in home trial policy so thank them (and their customers ). Did the PC model fit better or you just preferred it aesthetically? So located in same position you felt it was significantly different? Interesting....

I liked the form factor and weight of the PC better over the PB. And, I was surprised they sounded different. (And I did recalibrate with Audyssey and then did manual adjustments to make sure that wasn't the issue.) Perhaps it was because the front firing PB was able to avoid sound reflections the downfiring speaker couldn't?

Upfront - where the subwoofers can fit - there is a TV stand on one side and bookshelf or wetbar cabinet on the other side which creates an alcove. Perhaps the forward firing sub avoids acoustic issues from this alcove?

We just tried the PC behind the couch yesterday, and it seemed to sound much closer to the PB there. But, I think with my room layout, the upfront PB still trumps the behind the couch PC. (Upfront seemed to be slightly better during the subwoofer crawl too.)

Even though the PC would have been an easier fit, I can still fit the PB well enough and it is a bit cheaper if I ever decide to add a second. (Girlfriend is already lobbying for the second, lol. I'm a lucky guy.)

Thanks again to all for their help on this. I would not have ordered the 2000 pros to try when they restocked for the sale if it weren't for this forum.

 

[Pogre]

I just wanted to follow up on my decision. Thanks to various restocks during the sale, I auditiones several sub woofers: PB 1000, SB-2000 pro, PC-2000 pro, and PB-2000 pro. Both my girlfriend - a classically trained musician - and I both liked the PB-2000 pro the most. (I was hoping to go with a PC-2000 pro, but something about my room setup and/or floors made it sound a bit less clean/detailed than the forward firing .)

After experiencing actual good bass, and since it was only $350, I'm also keeping the PB-1000 for a smaller room.

Thanks again for all of your help and advice!

Great choice and kudos to you for taking advantage of their trial period to see for yourself. I would have chosen the PB2000 Pros too.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Great choice and kudos to you for taking advantage of their trial period to see for yourself. I would have chosen the PB2000 Pros too.

Roger. That.