B&w asw608, asw610, asw610xp

[Julian Knight]

Gating is like muting anything below a certain volume, but rather than waiting for say 5 seconds of silence it actually clips part of the waveform continuously. The quieter the sound the more distorted until it finally goes silent. On music, that is a complete no-no in my book. SVS have overlooked a fundamental requirement and could so easily have got it right. This is only my view, based on 50+ years of circuit design. Class AB amplifiers suffered the same fault if the quiescent current was set too low.

 

[lovinthehd]

Gating is like muting anything below a certain volume, but rather than waiting for say 5 seconds of silence it actually clips part of the waveform continuously. The quieter the sound the more distorted until it finally goes silent. On music, that is a complete no-no in my book. SVS have overlooked a fundamental requirement and could so easily have got it right. This is only my view, based on 50+ years of circuit design. Class AB amplifiers suffered the same fault if the quiescent current was set too low.

I've not heard that term before in this context (I have heard it used for use in terms of a software setting taking measurements for speakers, tho), let alone the particular issue. @shadyJ any insight on this aspect/feature?

 

[Julian Knight]

Phil Collins used gating on his drums - it’s an audio effect you can add when mixing music. It has its uses

 

[lovinthehd]

Phil Collins used gating on his drums - it’s an audio effect you can add when mixing music. It has its uses

How does it work in an amp?

 

[Julian Knight]

I think the correct term is crossover distortion, caused by a dead region around zero volts. Above a certain threshold the amplifier works normally but below that level it passes no signal. It is technically a “fault”. I’m not suggesting the SVS2000 has this fault, rather they added it as a feature. Otherwise they would have replaced it under warranty. Most class D amplifiers have unbelievably low distortion and it’s inconceivable to me that such distortion could occur in a tested and working amplifier.

 

[shadyJ]

I've not heard that term before in this context (I have heard it used for use in terms of a software setting taking measurements for speakers, tho), let alone the particular issue. @shadyJ any insight on this aspect/feature?

There are different ways to implement gating. I don't know what or how SVS accomplishes this specifically. I doubt it would be all that audible. It would be pretty easy to measure in a low noise environment, so if what he claims is true, anyone with a decent mic and a 2000 series sub should be able to demonstrate its effects.

 

[lovinthehd]

There are different ways to implement gating. I don't know what or how SVS accomplishes this specifically. I doubt it would be all that audible. It would be pretty easy to measure in a low noise environment, so if what he claims is true, anyone with a decent mic and a 2000 series sub should be able to demonstrate its effects.

Thanks, so I take never an issue you've particularly run across in an SVS sub when using/doing reviews?

 

[shadyJ]

Thanks, so I take never an issue you've particularly run across in an SVS sub when using/doing reviews?

I have never noticed anything like what he describes.

 

[Julian Knight]

Hi guys, I had not intended setting a discussion on SVS and I am genuinely amazed at what they can do in terms of low end linearity and power. For movies - yes please - I wish I had the room for the biggest model (PB16 Ultra?). As for the test, I recorded both SVS2000 and ASW608 using a Rode condenser mic, Alesis Multimix USB mixer and put the two recordings on one file in sync, on left and right channels (so easy to compare). Test music is Flight of the Cosmic Hippo by Bela Fleck (superb test track -

). I sent the recording to the dealer, he shared it with SVS and they came back saying:
"Unfortunately we don't hear anything obvious in the video. With that said, we think what you are hearing is the DSP noise gate which shuts down the amplifier output at very low volumes. We can usually work around this by adding gain at the subwoofer input and reduce the subwoofer volume setting by the same amount." I tried this but the result did not change so I decided it was the power amp stage and to not pursue further, and returned it.

 

[lovinthehd]

Hi guys, I had not intended setting a discussion on SVS and I am genuinely amazed at what they can do in terms of low end linearity and power. For movies - yes please - I wish I had the room for the biggest model (PB16 Ultra?). As for the test, I recorded both SVS2000 and ASW608 using a Rode condenser mic, Alesis Multimix USB mixer and put the two recordings on one file in sync, on left and right channels (so easy to compare). Test music is Flight of the Cosmic Hippo by Bela Fleck (superb test track -

). I sent the recording to the dealer, he shared it with SVS and they came back saying:
"Unfortunately we don't hear anything obvious in the video. With that said, we think what you are hearing is the DSP noise gate which shuts down the amplifier output at very low volumes. We can usually work around this by adding gain at the subwoofer input and reduce the subwoofer volume setting by the same amount." I tried this but the result did not change so I decided it was the power amp stage and to not pursue further, and returned it.

I'm just having trouble imagining any sub from B&W being competitive, let alone something as tiny as an 8" version (which is hard to even call a sub). My laptop is a horrible way to listen to videos, but videos with audio via youtube in general, meh. What did you do to integrate the subs particularly and with what gear? How did you match left/right levels? etc would be more interesting....and did you do the gain structure adjustment advised?

What was the audible issue in your words?

 

[Julian Knight]

Hello again. I will admit the 8” sub was only used to prove a point. The sound from the SVS was distorted at low levels, the B&W was not. If you imagine having spent around $1000 on a new sub and it had an annoying sound you wouldn’t want to keep it. I upgraded to 2x 10” subs (ASW610XP) with 1000w of total rms power to accompany my little Genelec 8020s. In a small room it sounds amazing. It’s for music, not movies btw.

 

[lovinthehd]

Hello again. I will admit the 8” sub was only used to prove a point. The sound from the SVS was distorted at low levels, the B&W was not. If you imagine having spent around $1000 on a new sub and it had an annoying sound you wouldn’t want to keep it. I upgraded to 2x 10” subs (ASW610XP) with 1000w of total rms power to accompany my little Genelec 8020s. In a small room it sounds amazing. It’s for music, not movies btw.

You measured the distortion in both for a comparison? Or just "by ear"?