50-50 music movie sub

[dirtyD]

im thinking about getting either a svs pb12-isd or svs 20-39isd. it will be in a 4800cf room and as the title says will be used prolly 50-50 for music and movies. which do you guys thing would be better? i really like the look of the box over the tube but i could give that up if it really makes a big difference. also any other subs i should be looking at in that price range ~600$. Also im in the USA.

 

[j_garcia]

Those two are close in performance, so either would be a good choice.

Other sub to consider might be a HSU STF-3, but I've seen a comparison of the two by a respected reviewer and the PB-12 came out on top.

 

[Ron Temple]

If you ask SVS, they may recommend the 25-31PCI due to it's higher tuning. The Outlaw LFM 1 is a very musical sub, not sure if it's in your budget.

 

[JaceTheAce]

I'd recommend the Energy S10.3 - very good sub for both music and movies.

 

[TheLaw]

You will not be dissapointed with one from SVS. Great subs and great service.

 

[Pyrrho]

SVS can probably tell you more about the differences between the two subwoofers than we can, and they supposedly have excellent customer service and are supposed to be happy to discuss such things with you. They are the same price (though shipping might be more for the heavier box), but the cylinder is rated to go 2 Hz lower at - 3 dB. Why not get an extra 2 Hz for no extra money (and probably less shipping, though you will need to check on that)? (From looking at the frequency response graphs that they have, however, it does not look that way; I wonder if they put up the wrong graph for one of them....) At your price point, I would probably go with an SVS, and I would probably go with the cylinder (and would really want one tuned lower), but it is your call.

 

[Sheep]

I'd recommend the Energy S10.3 - very good sub for both music and movies.

That subwoofer is out of its league. The S12.3 would be a better choice, and that was beaten by the VTF-3.

If music is that important to you, an STF-3 might be a good choice. Are you in Canada or not? If you are, you can basically kiss SVS goodbye, as the PB-10 is about 750 bucks shipped to me.

SheepStar

 

[TheLaw]

The shipping on my PCI 25-31 to South Florida was around $37. Not bad for a 60 pound sub.

 

[mkossler]

And my 20-39 cylinder was 27.00 shipping, IIRC. The shipping can add a significant amount to the price comparison.

 

[j_garcia]

He said he's in the US. My PB-10 was about $50 to ship. The cylinders will be a bit less. The question is whether you mind the look of a cylinder (I don't mind them).

 

[Ron Temple]

Mine's been told to stand in the corner...

 

[dirtyD]

thanks for all your opinions

 

[3db]

I'd skip the Outlaw, put down an extra 50 for PSB subsonic6i

If you ask SVS, they may recommend the 25-31PCI due to it's higher tuning. The Outlaw LFM 1 is a very musical sub, not sure if it's in your budget.

It easily bested the Outlaw LFM1 in all categories by Sound & Vision subwoofer face off. Played louder, cleaner and had the most uniform bandwidth of all of them.

 

[jcsprankle]

Sounds like SVS is better than HSU

I have been reading great reviews of the HSU subs on this forum but notice in this thread that people really seem to think that the SVS subs are superior to the HSU subs.

If we compare two same-priced subs in my price range, the HSU STF-3 and the SVS PB12-ISD (both $599), would the SVS be the better performer for music/HT? For me, I prefer the styling of the HSU but performance is what counts most...of course, it still has the pass the "wife-test" .

 

[dirtyD]

IMO i like how the svs look over the hsu. i also have no wife test as i have no wife

 

[j_garcia]

To be honest, I prefer the look of the HSU subs also. The STF-3 only comes in that black finish though. You would need to step to a VTF-3 to compare to the SVS PB-12. I owned a VTF-2 and a PB-10 at the same time and though I really liked the sound of the VTF-2, the deeper extension of the PB-10 won out. Comparatively, the PB-12 and STF-3 are probably a similar comparison.

 

[JaceTheAce]

That subwoofer is out of its league. The S12.3 would be a better choice, and that was beaten by the VTF-3.

If music is that important to you, an STF-3 might be a good choice. Are you in Canada or not? If you are, you can basically kiss SVS goodbye, as the PB-10 is about 750 bucks shipped to me.

SheepStar

Actually meant to recommend the S12.3

 

[Maxer]

I just added an HSU VTF-3 MK2 and it is an outstanding sub. Its a little more at $699 (~$750 delivered).

I too use it 50/50 for music and movies. It blends perfectly with my Axiom set and the extension is excellent. I haven't heard any of the SVS subs so I can't offer any comparison comments, but I can highly recommend HSU.

 

[Peter Marcks]

Dear John,

To be honest, I prefer the look of the HSU subs also. The STF-3 only comes in that black finish though. You would need to step to a VTF-3 to compare to the SVS PB-12. I owned a VTF-2 and a PB-10 at the same time and though I really liked the sound of the VTF-2, the deeper extension of the PB-10 won out. Comparatively, the PB-12 and STF-3 are probably a similar comparison.

The STF-3 can be tuned to play much lower than stock tune simply by plugging one port. We sell additional port plugs for $5. With one port plugged, port tuning on the STF-3 moves from ~25Hz to ~18Hz. Even without modifying the STF-3 amplifier for the lower tune, frequency response becomes much more extended and output becomes much stronger at 20Hz with one port plugged versus the stock STF-3 configuration with both ports open. Also, some people prefer the overdamped response that results from plugging a port and keeping all else equal on the STF-3, and they feel it gives a tighter bass. If a consumer requests it, we will now also modify the amplifier on the STF-3 for a small upcharge so that the subwoofer is virtually the same as a VTF-3 MK2 in extended bass mode. Of course, none of this was reflected in the review linked earlier in the thread, but we do believe that conclusions may have been much different if it were possible to try out these other configurations. The STF-3 definitely has some added flexiblity since it shares technology with the VTF-3 MK2. Based on the research we have done, most of our customers actually seem to prefer extended bass mode versus maximum output mode on the VTF-3 MK2, interestingly.

Sincerely,

 

[Peter Marcks]

I strongly recommend products such as Energy 12.3 and Mirage S12. Last I heard, the Mirage S12 was selling for only $399, which is a truly great deal. Need even more output? Then buy two, they are priced very favorably!

Sincerely,