Too much sub?

[jdougher00]

I'm building a home theater from scratch, in a 20x22 ft room. It is replacing a 30-year-old component stereo system and so will also be used for playing CDs and the like, in addition to DVDs and Blu-Ray movies. Mixed musical interests.

I'm considering something on the order of a Denon AVR-2310CI HT receiver.

My budget for speakers is about $1500 US. I'd like a 7.1 configuration.

I'm seriously considering a set of SVS speakers. I'm looking at SCS-2(M) mains, an SCS-02(C) center, and two pairs of SBS-02 surrounds positioned high in the room. For a sub I'm looking at a PB12-Plus.

Two questions (other comments welcome):
1) At current pricing, I'd be spending about $900 on the speakers and $600 on the sub; is that a reasonable ratio? Coming from an older system without a sub, I'm a little nervous putting that much money into a sub vs. into my mains.
2) Any suggestions for alternatives? i.e. 7 speakers and a sub for $1500?

thanks

 

[m_vanmeter]

a good powered subwoofer (or two) will be essential in your large room. Your spend ratio is OK. If your SBS enclosures will be "high", use a mounting system that allows aiming them at the listening position. Your speaker choices are very good for the alotted budget.

There are many choices in the $1.5K speaker budget range, but at some point you just end up chasing your tail. The SV Sound speakers are very well regarded by owners and should serve you well.

 

[j_garcia]

There is pretty much no such thing as too much sub. That should work great.

 

[caper26]

Too much sub?

What is this thing you speak of???

 

[AVRat]

What's the ceiling height?

SVS PB12-NSD - $599 + shipping
SVS PB12-Plus - $1,149 + shipping

 

[j_garcia]

What's the ceiling height?

SVS PB12-NSD - $599 + shipping
SVS PB12-Plus - $1,149 + shipping

Yes, I caught that too, but even an NSD should be OK in that room as long as it isn't open to other large areas too.

 

[Midwesthonky]

too much sub

Ok, I wasn't the only one willing to say THERE IS NO SUCH THING!

Since this is primarily for a home theater, I like the ratio you have set. I really good sub will make a difference for watching movies. Assuming you watch a variety of genre and not just classic 50's musicals. The sub will be important for making the movie watching an event and have the viewers experience the movie more.

Plus it's way cool how the room shakes during big explosions!

 

[jdougher00]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Following up:

Ceiling is 8 foot; walls and ceilings are paint on sheet rock. Carpet floor. Front wall has some bookshelves, left wall is mostly glass, right wall is about 40% open for entryway. Couple of couches, a soft chair, and various pieces of hard furniture.

Regarding the my proposed sub (sub-woofer), of course I was mistaken as to model number. Meant PB12-NSD at about $600. But I gathered from the responses that you knew that.

Thanks to all, I'll post a quick summary after any follow-up discussion.

 

[j_garcia]

I had a PB-10 in a 19x20 high vaulted ceiling room with an open kitchen as well, and it did surprisingly well. It didn't quite have enough output for that room but I still got output down to 16Hz and pretty good output at 20Hz, so a NSD should be OK for that room, depending on what you are looking for. A Plus would obviously be better, but it also costs a lot more

 

[MatthewB.]

Blasphemy, I have five subs in my great room, there is no such thing as too much bass (when properly calibrated) in fact I would talk to SVS and see if they can work out a "deal" on two NSD12's (maybe B-stock) for just a tad bit more, this way you can run stereo subs and get more slam. Just an idea.

BTW "upgraditis" never abates, so llok at that second sub while you can still "make a deal" on the whole system. Also factor in a Gramma pad for the sub, trust me on this one, well worth the extra benjamin.

 

[jdougher00]

Summary

Summary:

-- $600/$900 ratio between subwoofer and all the rest of the 7.1 speakers seemed about right to folks.

-- Feelings seemed to be for erring on the side of more subwoofer, especially in a moderately large room.

-- The SV Sound center, mains, and surrounds appear to be a good choice among many at the $900 price point (exclusive of sub).

Thanks again to all.

 

[DLeague]

Everyone should get what they want, but the criteria you gave $1500, sure sounds like a Definitive Technology Procinema1000 with two extra surround speakers. I normally don't recommend to anyone a pre-packaged system (this is not HTiB), but the magazines have always rated this system very high in this price range. The sub separately cost $500, and it gives you the best of both world, front firing woofer, and a passive radiator underneath, with a 300 watt rms amp. It's something to consider if you want the sound to match and get maximum output.