What Sub Size is Appropriate

[THD1%]

Howdy all

Got a question about sub size:

My dedicated HT will be about 1800 cubic feet and I was wondering what size of sub would be good? 12 or 10? I am leaning towards an SVS (low to mid line) and smaller floorstanders. I read somewhere to get the biggest my budget would allow but would a 12 be overkill? Also, any thoughts on the cylinder SVS vs box?

Thanks for your help.

 

[MDS]

SVS would be able to answer the question so why not shoot them an email since you are considering one of their subs?

There is an extensive FAQ on the SVS site about box vs cylinder. The short story is that cylinders are lighter and slightly cheaper at the expense of a large size but box subs with the same specs are comparable.

 

[THD1%]

I read the cylinder vs box and I was wondering if someone actually had a cylinder and liked it. I was just wondering if I could get away with a 10 instead of the 12. I did a calculator on Velodyne and it brought up a 15" I just want something decent that doesnt break the bank for now.

 

[MDS]

That's the kind of question that a sub manufacturer is best suited to answer but I'll say this:

Don't get hung up on 10" vs 12" and 300 watts vs 500 watts. It is meaningless in the sense that there are 10" subs that go lower and louder than 12" subs and the sub is designed with enough amplifier power to meet its rated specs. So a 12" with 500 watts is not necessarily 'better' than a 10" with 300 watts. There are plenty of gigantic subs that can't go as low or loud as the PB10-NSD from SVS.

So what do you want? Super low extension or super high SPL? If you want both be prepared to pay a pretty penny for it. The SVS guys are pretty honest and straightforward and don't try to upsell you so I'd at least start with them and then compare their suggestions to others you may be interested in.

 

[THD1%]

I just want accuracy nothing overdone...a nice clean sound...not harsh not boomy. I hate boomy sounds especially when it involves talking like male voices,etc. Thats probably more of a calibration issue though.

 

[Warpdrv]

Again, email svs... they are very fast with responses...

You can still go low and have accuracy, What is your budget....

You can get a PB12-Plus in Piano Black for a deal right now...
Or a SB12 is a sealed box with the same driver, but doesn't hit as low for LFE effects...

Im very happy with my Plus/2 and Plus in the same room...

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Howdy all

Got a question about sub size:

The only limits to subwoofer size are your budget, and floorspace large enough for placement.



What you really should be asking is..... "How much performance is within range of my 'X-sized' budget?"

Whatever you do.... don't fall into the trap and settle for a less capable subwoofer because your room is within a certain cubic footage range. Don't confuse loudness with performance because any cheap sub can be loud enough or turned too loud......it's the performance that sets them apart.

 

[j_garcia]

SVS has been making the cylinders a lot longer than they have been making the boxes, and basically released the box subs because customers were asking for it.

I have a cylinder - click the link to My HT

 

[mtrycrafts]

Howdy all

Got a question about sub size:

My dedicated HT will be about 1800 cubic feet and I was wondering what size of sub would be good? 12 or 10? I am leaning towards an SVS (low to mid line) and smaller floorstanders. I read somewhere to get the biggest my budget would allow but would a 12 be overkill? Also, any thoughts on the cylinder SVS vs box?

Thanks for your help.

You mentioned some of what you want from a sub. Would that include low frequency response, 25Hz and below that you can hear or feel? Size matters in that respect and some output at those frequencies may not equate to audibility, feel or enough to matter.

 

[patnshan]

I have the 25-31 Plus and love it. No I do not work for SVS

As I see it,

Perks:
1. It takes up less floor room than a box
2. Most people will not know what it is when they see it, so you can have fun telling them about it (I sure do)
3. You can put it in places that would be less suitable to boxes. They are perfect for corners and barely stick out into precious floor space.
4. More bang for the buck (materials cost less)
5. Costs less to ship (a lot in some cases)

Cons:
1. Some people don't like the looks (my wife actually thinks it looks cool)
2. Come in only one finish, black fabric

Good luck,

Pat

 

[patnshan]

You mentioned some of what you want from a sub. Would that include low frequency response, 25Hz and below that you can hear or feel? Size matters in that respect and some output at those frequencies may not equate to audibility, feel or enough to matter.

I just got an e-mail from Tom V. at SVS regarding tuning mine down to 20 Hz. It seems he thinks I would still have plenty enough headroom for my needs. I plan to try it this week and post back.

Pat

 

[THD1%]

Thanks for all of your responses. It will be at least a couple of months before I buy. I have to research the crap out of things before I make my decisions. I think the cylinder idea is kind of cool because its different and it takes up less space...but arent they tall? How are the SVS amps? I really cant find any specs on their site...are they rating at RMS or dynamic?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for all of your responses. It will be at least a couple of months before I buy. I have to research the crap out of things before I make my decisions. I think the cylinder idea is kind of cool because its different and it takes up less space...but arent they tall? How are the SVS amps? I really cant find any specs on their site...are they rating at RMS or dynamic?

The second set of numbers on them are the height of the unit. The 16-48 is 4ft tall.

 

[cruiseoveride]

i got a svs pb12-plus2, amazing sub, really shines with movies. i would recommend it to anyone

 

[Sheep]

Thanks for all of your responses. It will be at least a couple of months before I buy. I have to research the crap out of things before I make my decisions. I think the cylinder idea is kind of cool because its different and it takes up less space...but arent they tall? How are the SVS amps? I really cant find any specs on their site...are they rating at RMS or dynamic?

ALL of the amps are made by BASH Indigo, and all the ratings are RMS.

You could get away with the PB-10NSD, but you need to look at things down the road. Will you still have your HT setup in that room 10 years from now? A bigger sub isn't just about lower and louder, a smaller sub can't fill a bigger room.

Personally, I would go with a cylinder, just because they're bad-***.

SheepStar

 

[patnshan]

The second number in the SVS tube sub's name is the approximate height. the "-31" is about 31 inches, and so on. That big, bad ultra is 46 inches tall, now that's big I'd have the 39 if my wife would have signed on.

Also of note if your worried about too much height in the sub, I do have my 25-31 plus tuned to 20 Hz currently and like what I hear (and feel). I felt kind of sick to my stomach running the sweeps It is eery to feel and not hear bass. I did hear the pictures on the wall! It runs flat to about 20, and will get to 18 Hz. with a bit of a dropoff as evidenced by my trusty SPL meter. Your experience may vary, but I just wanted to give you an idea of what you could do.

Pat

 

[j_garcia]

My sub is a little larger than the 16-46 48" tall, 18" in diameter and I have it filtered below 14Hz.

 

[patnshan]

My sub is a little larger than the 16-46 48" tall, 18" in diameter and I have it filtered below 14Hz.

That's a water heater How does that feel in you chest? Amazing I bet!

Pat

 

[j_garcia]

That's a water heater How does that feel in you chest? Amazing I bet!

It isn't so much in your chest, it is just sort of everywhere...