SVS SB12-Plus compared to Velodyne - SPL-1000R

[klix58]

I have read about issues with SVS supporters on this sight so I am looking for an honest answer or opinion on the difference between these two. I run Monitor Audio Silver RS8's with an older Klipsch RSW 12. I am looking for tighter and more musically accurate base with music and naturally the movie thump. The current Klipsh is a beast but I don't feel it to meet these qualities without some grumbling and/or distortion. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[klix58]

I forgot to add, the Velo is on sale for $699.00 at audioadvisor

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Klix,

I can tell you that I had the Minivee 10 which is essentially the same as the SPL-1000r minus the on-board room correction....actually I bought two of them after selling my SPL-1500r which was a great unit....

In any event I was NOT happy with two of those units much less just one. I would urge you to go with the SVS, as their products will in all honesty demolish anything even close in price range and will stay their own with much more expensive units. Don't let the 525 watt rating in the SB12 fool you, that unit will performer. And you get a 12' driver which is much more capable of moving air, which the Velo's 10" has trouble doing.

I made the costly mistake once, but will never do that again....SVS is the way to go and if you save up a bit more you could even get into the new PC12 which has the great new 12.4 driver....for $300 more it is alot more performance if you don't mind the tube configuration...

 

[pearsall001]

Klix,

I can tell you that I had the Minivee 10 which is essentially the same as the SPL-1000r minus the on-board room correction....actually I bought two of them after selling my SPL-1500r which was a great unit....

In any event I was NOT happy with two of those units much less just one. I would urge you to go with the SVS, as their products will in all honesty demolish anything even close in price range and will stay their own with much more expensive units. Don't let the 525 watt rating in the SB12 fool you, that unit will performer. And you get a 12' driver which is much more capable of moving air, which the Velo's 10" has trouble doing.

I made the costly mistake once, but will never do that again....SVS is the way to go and if you save up a bit more you could even get into the new PC12 which has the great new 12.4 driver....for $300 more it is alot more performance if you don't mind the tube configuration...

Any particular reason you did such a hugh downgrade from the Velo SPL-1500R to Minivees's. As you said the Velo was a great unit.

I had an SVS 25-31plus cylinder sub that was replaced with a velo SPL-1200R. They both performed equally well in HT but when it came to 2 channel integration the SVS was left out in the cold. I was so impressed with the Velo's performance in both HT & 2 channel that I just had to go & order another one. Having a product from both companies, I can honestly say that there will never be another SVS in my system. Velo just gets it right!!

Now to answer the OP, I think you know where I'd put my money.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

The reason I tried out the MiniVee 10s was a cost effective attempt to even out room response with dual subs.....Although, as I said, that attempt failed quite quickly. That then took me to the route of SVS, first I had a 16-46 PC-Plus that killed on HT but as you mentioned Pearsall just did not do it on music...

At that point I said the hell with it and just went with the Ultra-13 and could not be happier...it wipes the floor compared to the Sunfire, Velos (SPL-1500r and Dual MiniVee 10's), and 16-46PC-Plus that I had previously. If you are happy with your Velos that is wonderful, that is ultimately all that matters. But for my usage which is largely HT with a decent amount of Classical listening as I'm a pianist the SVS Ultra has been the best unit I have owned bar none....and do plan on adding a second one at some point.

I'm sorry to see that you were not satisfied with your 25-31 Plus. I would still recommend the SB12-Plus as a sealed sub over the Velo SPL-1000r. I am sure the SVS performance trumps that of the Velo given what I heard out of the MiniVee 10's which left much to be desired...

 

[pearsall001]

The reason I tried out the MiniVee 10s was a cost effective attempt to even out room response with dual subs.....Although, as I said, that attempt failed quite quickly. That then took me to the route of SVS, first I had a 16-46 PC-Plus that killed on HT but as you mentioned Pearsall just did not do it on music...

At that point I said the hell with it and just went with the Ultra-13 and could not be happier...it wipes the floor compared to the Sunfire, Velos (SPL-1500r and Dual MiniVee 10's), and 16-46PC-Plus that I had previously. If you are happy with your Velos that is wonderful, that is ultimately all that matters. But for my usage which is largely HT with a decent amount of Classical listening as I'm a pianist the SVS Ultra has been the best unit I have owned bar none....and do plan on adding a second one at some point.

I'm sorry to see that you were not satisfied with your 25-31 Plus. I would still recommend the SB12-Plus as a sealed sub over the Velo SPL-1000r. I am sure the SVS performance trumps that of the Velo given what I heard out of the MiniVee 10's which left much to be desired...

Going the cheap route never works out, as you can attest to that. It wasn't that I was unhappy with the SVS, for HT it was great, it just wouldn't integrate good enough for me in 2 channel listening. If I was just into HT, I wouldn't have been looking to upgrade.

I'm glad that the SVS is working out well for you, that's all that counts.

As far as the MiniVee goes, that's about as good a mismatch that you can find compared to the Velo SPL-1000R series or the SVS SB12. A fair comparison would be the Velo SPL-1200R & the SB12. I'm sorry but for my money it's Velo all the way with that match up.

I think the Minivee's are really big box store items & are just at a lower level of performance than the above mentioned. They really shouldn't even be brought into this discussion.

 

[Sheep]

From here... http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/subwoofer-tests/5769-svs-sb12-plus.html

Maximum output ground plain.

Power Compression.

Total Harmonic Distortion.

And the Velodyne... http://www.avtalk.co.uk/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=20048&start=0&rid=0&SQ=0

Maximum output ground plain.

Power Compression.

Total Harmonic Distortion.

From what I can see, the SVS is a better performer. Less power compression, plays louder lower, and less distortion.

SheepStar

 

[pearsall001]

10" driver vs 12" driver. Apples to oranges.

 

[Nomo]

I have read about issues with SVS supporters on this sight so I am looking for an honest answer or opinion on the difference between these two. I run Monitor Audio Silver RS8's with an older Klipsch RSW 12. I am looking for tighter and more musically accurate base with music and naturally the movie thump. The current Klipsh is a beast but I don't feel it to meet these qualities without some grumbling and/or distortion. Thanks in advance for any input.

I have an SB12. It'll kick the crap out of that Velo.

More importantly, how big is your room?
While the SVS is, even by SVS themselves, under rated in the space it can fill it does have it's limitations.
If you are looking to fill more than 3500 cu ft you may wish to look into a beefier sub than the two choices you've given.

 

[mike c]

basically ... SPL1200R> SB12> SPL1000R based on ground plane tests.

pearsall, by size, it is apples to oranges. but by price ... they're pretty much apples to apples.

 

[Sheep]

10" driver vs 12" driver. Apples to oranges.

And price? Who gives about driver size.

SheepStar

 

[pearsall001]

And price? Who gives about driver size.

SheepStar

For $875...I'll take the SPL-1200R all day long!!!

 

[Sheep]

For $875...I'll take the SPL-1200R all day long!!!

For a few more bucks I'd take this.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pc12_plus.cfm

SheepStar

 

[pearsall001]

For a few more bucks I'd take this.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pc12_plus.cfm

SheepStar

You might, but I wouldn't. I already had their 25-31Plus cylinder & needless to say I'm done traveling down that road. It was a picture shaker for sure, but that was about it.

I'm extremely happy & content with the performance of the Velo SPL-1200R, (so much so that I bought another one) thank you very much!! I'll stand pat.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Sheep,

Thanks for the data to back up what my ears and listening experience had told me already. I knew that the SB12 would outperform the SPL-1000r....and as you said with the PC12-Plus against the SPL-1200r....I would take the SVS again.

I'm extremely happy & content with the performance of the Velo SPL-1200R, (so much so that I bought another one) thank you very much!! I'll stand pat.

Staying your route is fine as you are happy with your Velos...as I said already, that is all that matters ultimately. But arguing measured performance specs is inane. We are trying to help someone make an informed decision as to what is the best product for their hard earned $$$$--and doing so with the least amount of bias possible. That being said, and what has been presented here....To answer the OPs thread title:

The SVS SB12 is a better choice over the Velodyne SPL-1000r....

 

[klix58]

Thanks for the critical input thus far. I have ordered both, the worst that can happen is I spend a few bucks shipping one or the other back.

 

[mike c]

Thanks for the critical input thus far. I have ordered both, the worst that can happen is I spend a few bucks shipping one or the other back.

that's perfect!

don't forget to share pictures (side by side would be cool) and your comments

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Definitely look forward to your impressions and seeing which unit you end up with....very smart choice on starting off with both for a head to head...enjoy!!!

 

[Ron Temple]

A great choice...I think Mike's got it right SPL1200R>SB12+>SPL1000R. Also, though I haven't heard it, the new Plus, I'm told is a significant step toward a "sealed-like" overdamped sound with the benefits and efficiency of the port. Having owned the previous 12.3 Plus (ported)versions, I'll agree with pearsall001...it was a tremendous HT experience, but suffered from GD and overhang when compared to some sealed and servo subs for music. The Ultra13 is a totally different story, I've compared it, as Mike has, to the Velo DD series and subjectively prefer it, slightly, for music, absolutely, for HT.

 

[Sheep]

A great choice...I think Mike's got it right SPL1200R>SB12+>SPL1000R. Also, though I haven't heard it, the new Plus, I'm told is a significant step toward a "sealed-like" overdamped sound with the benefits and efficiency of the port. Having owned the previous 12.3 Plus (ported)versions, I'll agree with pearsall001...it was a tremendous HT experience, but suffered from GD and overhang when compared to some sealed and servo subs for music. The Ultra13 is a totally different story, I've compared it, as Mike has, to the Velo DD series and subjectively prefer it, slightly, for music, absolutely, for HT.

GD has been discussed on the boards, and the effects shown in most graphs are not very aiudible, and overall, won't be a major contributing factor to the sound. If something sounds wrong, it will most likely been from Distortion, or room interaction.

SheepStar