Upgrading SVS Sub (Noob with lots of questions)

[craigrhyne]

Hello,
I just moved into a new house with a large living room (L-shaped and 3,328 ft^3), and I'm curious as to whether I could gain a significant improvement in sound quality and output by upgrading my sub. As it is I am running a single SVS PB12-NSD. I've had a considerable amount of trouble placing the sub where I can obtain tight, impacting bass. I have already tried placing the sub in the primary seating area and listening for optimum placement. Using this method I moved the sub from the front of the room, to the rear corner of the room behind the couch:

Even with this placement I have to turn the gain on the sub to at least half volume, and set the speaker level on the receiver to 0, to have much of an effect. If I turn the gain on the sub to 100% I get very loud bass but it sounds like crap (terrible for HT, unbearable for music). Am I missing something? How would making a MAJOR upgrade (say a PB12-Plus/2, or a PB13-Ultra) effect things? Are large subs such as these musical?

Also, I know this is off topic for the sub forum, but I might as well mention it since I'm already creating a thread: At what point does an amp offer a significant improvement in a home theater system?

Currently this is my setup:
Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR674
Sub: SVS PB12-NSD
Front L/R: Klipsch RF-82's (In the hands of fed-ex at the moment)
Center: Klipsch RC-52
Surrounds: Klipsch RB-61's

Would a 2 channel amp powering just the 82's, or a 5 channel amp powering all 5 speakers make an audible difference in sound quality? If so, how much? Because I'm pairing an Onkyo with Klipsch (both notoriously bright) could I use the receiver as a preamp in conjunction with a stand alone amp to richen the sound? Can an amp enhance sound quality on it's own, or does it require a power conditioner to do this?

Thanks In Advance,
Craig

 

[Alex at SVS]

Hi Craig,

For that size room the PB12-NSD is slightly on the small side. For moderate volumes I would suggest going up to either a PB12-Plus or PC-Plus 20-39.

For moderate-loud to loud the PB12-Plus/2, PB13-Ultra, or PC-Ultra could all be excellent choices. The PB12-Plus/2 would have the most impact/slam if you left it in it's native 25Hz tune (tuned down to 20Hz it puts out close to the same SPL as the Ultras), but either of the Ultras are going to give flatter and cleaner performance.

 

[AVRat]

Is a dual-sub setup an option? A dual setup can help even out your room’s response. A second SVS NSD would be less expensive and should really help. If you can’t fix the peaks/nulls in you room’s response with proper location, a single better sub may not help. Although the Ultra would probably meet your expectations.

 

[craigrhyne]

Is a dual-sub setup an option? A dual setup can help even out your room’s response. A second SVS NSD would be less expensive and should really help. If you can’t fix the peaks/nulls in you room’s response with proper location, a single better sub may not help. Although the Ultra would probably meet your expectations.

Pretty much anything is an option cosmetically as this is a college house If I run a dual setup is it important that the subs match? (ie: could I run an ultra and the PB12 I'm currently using? )

Any input on the amp question?

Thanks,
Craig

 

[Alex at SVS]

Nothing would stop you from running an Ultra with a PB12-NSD, but I think you'd lose a lot of the benefit from the more advanced Ultra woofer design. From an SPL aspect though... that's a lot of bass

And yes, dual PB12-NSD woofers would be another excellent way to go for probably moderate-loud as it'll be louder than a single PB12-Plus, but still not as strong as an Ultra or Plus/2. It can be a little tricky experimenting with positioning to "get it right" than with just one subwoofer, but AVRat is certainly correct that it can give you suprior coverage especially if you're using a room EQ.