1 SVS PC+ 20-39 or 1 PCi 25-31 + 1 20-39

[SmoKnHot]

I have the choice to buy one PC+ 20-39 or I can buy a secondhand PCi 20-39and one new PCi 22-31.

So what do ya think guys, go the one more powerfull or the two less powerfull, but together should sound better right?

My room is - 3.7m x 3.5m x 3.0m.

I am thinking the two may be better since the room is squarish anyhow and might be subject to sound waves.

Two might fill it out better.

 

[mike c]

i would never recommend using two different subs ... especially because:
-they're not tuned the same
-you don't have realtime monitoring of the effects of both subwoofers in their separate locations

go with the better sub (plus in this case) - save some more then get a second plus

that should get you close to "ultra" performance + the possibility of tuning lower.

 

[SmoKnHot]

well i would of thought 20 and 22 were practically the same, would it sound bad if i used the 2 mentioned?

have you ever tried two similar subs like this?

Edit:

would just one PCi 22-31 sound better than having the second one added (PCi 20-39 secondhand at a bargain price)

 

[Alex at SVS]

Reading your post I just wanted to make sure I understand it first. The two subs you're refering to are the PCi 20-39 and the PCi 25-31 (technically giving a PCi a custom tune down to 22Hz would make it a 22-31 though, just trying to keep model numbers straight)

Does your room have any large openings to other areas?

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, he means two differently tuned subs. These models do not have user configurability like the Pluses do, so you might have some difficulty in getting two different ones to match. If you want a ton of output, why not just 2 22-31 PCis?

Note that the Plus has a similar output to that of TWO PCis of the same range (20-39).

 

[SmoKnHot]

Reading your post I just wanted to make sure I understand it first. The two subs you're refering to are the PCi 20-39 and the PCi 25-31 (technically giving a PCi a custom tune down to 22Hz would make it a 22-31 though, just trying to keep model numbers straight)

Does your room have any large openings to other areas?

No, my room has no large openings, though it has two smaller rooms attached.

Yes i am talking about the PCi models.

Would it really make that much difference being 20 and 22hz.

 

[SmoKnHot]

Yes, he means two differently tuned subs. These models do not have user configurability like the Pluses do, so you might have some difficulty in getting two different ones to match. If you want a ton of output, why not just 2 22-31 PCis?

Note that the Plus has a similar output to that of TWO PCis of the same range (20-39).

I want to use 2 subs because it will disperse the sound more evenly through out the room, all reviews point to 2 subs providing the best over all coverage of sound, helping to eliminate nodes.

2 x 22-31 PCi's would be much more expensive, i can get the second sub (20-39) at a secondhand bargain price.

In Australia here one 22-31 PCi cost $1300.

 

[Alex at SVS]

In a room the size you're dealing with, even a single PCi would be great all the way up until you hit loud levels, but if you really wanted to shake your room apart, a single PC-Plus would do it in that size of a room.

Two subs can help with room modes, but sometimes can even make them worse depending on placement and the acoustic properties of the room. If you go with two I would definitely look into getting an EQ with it as that will increase the subs efficiency greatly. Something like the audyssey can even automatically equalize for multiple listening positions ensuring you get the best sound possible.

If you're a big bass fan and want the best performance, I would recommend a PC-Plus and get an EQ. I'd only recommend 2 x PCi if you're trying to wake up the neighbors across the street, which sometimes is the goal ;^)

 

[SmoKnHot]

I got a good price with the PCi 22-31, so i went with it.

Now i have to decide wether or not to get the other?

My amp is an Onkyo 705, it has Audessy and speaker calibration with a maual EQ, is that sufficient?

Do you think i should get the secondhand PCI 20-39?

 

[Alex at SVS]

Yes the built in Audessy works great. One note though is that it tends to set the speakers to "large" even when they're not full range speakers. So after running that I suggest manuely setting the speakers back to small so everything below the crossover is sent to the sub.

I think the PCi should be sufficient unless you like to crank it up to rumble the entire room. If you can though, just setup the PCi 22-31 and listen for a day or two so you can make an informed decision about what YOU want. Hopefully that secondhand offer isn't going away too soon?

 

[SmoKnHot]

Funny you say that, it is ending on ebay in 2 hours at a very low price and i haven't got my 22-31 yet to try out.

What to do hey?

Edit - i think i will get it and try out 2 subs while also trying just the 22-31 and decide if i want to keep it, i can always sell it again.

 

[Alex at SVS]

Wow, comes down to the wire. Let me know how it turns out for you.

 

[SmoKnHot]

About the EQ for the subwoofer, will i need an independent EQ?

or will it do that from the Amp?

 

[Alex at SVS]

Sorry, went to bed after the last post and have been gone all day today.

Just to double check myself, I looked further into the Audyssey and got mixed signals about what it can do with different versions. The new Denon 3808 and up models apparently have their "latest" version which has the latest and greatest subwoofer auto-eq. However apparently earlier versions don't (and it appears any other brand from Denon has earlier versions) and only set distances and levels (haven't found any source of a concrete list for what versions are in what receivers).

So for the time being, it seems like you'll need an independent EQ (a stereo one would be needed to dial in seperate EQ settings for each sub, hopefully from a store with a decent return policy in case you decide you don't need the 2nd sub) for the current products out. Sorry about the mis-information about Audyssey, didn't know their where multiple versions.

 

[SmoKnHot]

Thanks,

i am using an Onkyo 705 reciever and i decided not to get the second sub anyhow, i think it would just be to much for the neighbours and all that, i live in an apartment building.

eagerly anticipating the arrival of the PCi 22-31,

would you say the 22hz tune makes it more closer to the sound the 20-39 would make?

is 2hz really noticable? or maybe the size of the cylinder and ports increases the depth also?

 

[j_garcia]

I say try out the one and then decide if you need another. Once you see what one can do, you can decide if you need a second or if you need to step up to a Plus. That 2Hz won't make a massive difference in terms of what you hear and/or feel, but the lower tuning does mean you give up a little bit of output vs 25Hz tuning. Yes, 22Hz tune would make it more like a 20-39.

 

[SmoKnHot]

well that means i have something in between the two models, perfect if you ask me.

yeh i think for my size room the 22-31 will be more than enough, (3.7m x 3.5m x 3.0m).

Is it all relative to the size of your room? In other words, a big sub in a big room will give the same sound as a small sub in a small room, accordingly that the dimensions and size of the sub are proportionately reduced or increased at the same level.

 

[Alex at SVS]

Is it all relative to the size of your room? In other words, a big sub in a big room will give the same sound as a small sub in a small room, accordingly that the dimensions and size of the sub are proportionately reduced or increased at the same level.

Yep, people in small rooms really have an advantage of not needing as much subwoofer as those in larger rooms. Some people have giant living rooms open to their entire first floor which makes it very hard to get good bass especially on a budget.

 

[SmoKnHot]

The 22-31 PCi arrived today and WOW it really sounds great, keep up the good work guys at SVS.

I'll get the Ultra next upgrade.

 

[Alex at SVS]

Thanks, glad you like it, and will do :^)