Home Theater Review on SVS SB-13 Ultra

[3db]

It got a really good reviews but their test results just don't add up. Why do the r -3db and -6db points seem kind of high for a server of this size and quality?

 

[Steve81]

It got a really good reviews but their test results just don't add up. Why do the r -3db and -6db points seem kind of high for a server of this size and quality?

Keep in mind that SVS's rating the SB13 down to 20Hz, +/-3dB. Conversely, Home Theater appears to be using +0/-6dB to rate the SB13 down to 21Hz, which is a fairly insignificant difference.

 

[3db]

I guess for the size, I was expecting a little deeper..like the PB-1000. That being said, I'm betting the Ultra will smoke the little PB in terms of sheer output volume with much less distortion. I need to remember that depth isn't everything.

 

[its phillip]

here's svs' graph:

 

[lsiberian]

I guess for the size, I was expecting a little deeper..like the PB-1000. That being said, I'm betting the Ultra will smoke the little PB in terms of sheer output volume with much less distortion. I need to remember that depth isn't everything.

Your eq filter is not setup properly. You need EQ if you plan to use a sealed sub for deep sound. Please note you do lose headroom with this approach.

The SB Ultra can actually dig deeper than a ported sub can, but at tuning the ported sub has a big advantage. That advantage goes away below tuning. If you want 10 hz you need a sealed sub.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I agree.

"The SB13-Ultra’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 hertz, indicates that the lower –3-decibel point is at 25 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 21 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 160 Hz with Low Pass & High Pass set to Disabled and EQ set to Disabled."


Of course, HTM does not show us the real power compression graph, but the only graph they show does not give me any warm fuzzy feeling.

What is the 2m ground plane peak SPL from 20-100Hz? The graphs they show on all Subs just suck and tell us practically nothing.

 

[Steve81]

I'm betting the Ultra will smoke the little PB in terms of sheer output volume with much less distortion.

Depends on where you look. 40-80Hz, I'd certainly expect the SB13 to have a clear cut advantage over the PB1000. Around the tuning point of the PB1000, from the numbers I've seen, I believe the SB13 would actually be at a marginal disadvantage in terms of raw output. Of course below the PB1000's tuning, the SB13 will again come out on top.

I need to remember that depth isn't everything.

I have to say in my experimentation with the PB13U's tuning modes, I was pleasantly surprised by its power in sealed mode, in spite of the significant deficit in output capability down low. When the day comes when I need to look at subs again (which won't be any time soon), I'd definitely consider something like a couple of SB13s.

 

[shadyJ]

Remember that +/- 3 dB gives the sub a 6 dB window of difference. The low end roll off looks about right, although their high end roll off doesn't quite match SVS's specs, but this could be due to the way the crossover was setup in the review. It's a sealed unit, and I haven't seen measurements for any sealed unit which were flat to 20 hz, unless it was EQ'd. There is nothing surprising here.