Best movie sub:SVS,HSU,Klipsch.

[Nuance AH]

All good points here... You need to first decide if you want duals or not. If so, go SVS, if not I'd go with the Rythmik FV15HP. The latter is just a monster subwoofer for the money and basically outperforms the SVS PB13 Ultra for nearly half the price.

 

[jordan122345]

I didn't realize that it would out perform the pb13ultra till now. That's pretty nuts. I just wonder if I will have any issues with the amp on the rythmik fv15hp vs the svs pb12plus. I am kind of a dummy when it comes to that. And also I don't think it should be an issue. But I have a integra dtr7.9 should that be good enough for the speakers I have

 

[GranteedEV]

I didn't realize that it would out perform the pb13ultra till now.

It's not a knock on the PB13U. The PB13U has almost identical performance, give or take ~2db. It's also a quarter the size off the top of my head.

 

[Nuance AH]

It's not a knock on the PB13U. The PB13U has almost identical performance, give or take ~2db. It's also a quarter the size off the top of my head.

No, it isn't a knock on the Ultra at all, which is an awesome subwoofer. But when you can get better performance for almost half the cost...well, it's a no brainer IMO.

As far as size, what were you talking about? Volume, dimensions, etc? The PB13 Ultra is physically larger than the Rythmik FV15HP.

 

[Southern]

I also have Klipsch RF-7's and an SVS PB12 +2 subwoofer. I highly recommend the SVS sub for movies, they can shake my house.

I also had the opportunity to listed to RSW-15 sub with RF-7's and I would recommend them for music, they have a tighter bass and sounds better with music then the SVS.

Another advantage with the SVS is due to the downward facing woofers, they are kid and pet friendly.

Edit: I noticed the SVS PB12 plus does not have downward facing woofers.

 

[its phillip]

FV15HP
24"H x 18"W x 24"D - (26" D with grille and heatsink) (6.5 cu ft with grille and heatsink)
120 lbs

PB13U
22.5"H x 20.5"W x 27"D (7.21 cuft)
155 pounds

The PB13U is definitely larger, but not by much. Weighs significantly more though.

 

[jordan122345]

The PB13 Ultra is most definetley out because of price alone.So my 2 choices are now between the SVS PB12 plus and the Rythmik FV15HP.So I think it will come down to ease of use on the on-board amp on the sub since I am a dummy with these things.

 

[jordan122345]

So looks like it is only $20 difference in price between the pb12plus and the fv15hp unless I wanted the piano black on the rythmik then it will cost $200 more with all shipping accounted for. Hhhhmmmmm

 

[Nuance AH]

So looks like it is only $20 difference in price between the pb12plus and the fv15hp unless I wanted the piano black on the rythmik then it will cost $200 more with all shipping accounted for. Hhhhmmmmm

Oh jeez - Rythmik no brainer, if nothing else due to more output/headroom. SVS makes awesome subwoofers, and they generally have a couple more bells and whistles, so don't get me wrong. In the end, though, it's all about performance.

 

[NewHTbuyer]

Oh jeez - Rythmik no brainer, if nothing else due to more output/headroom. SVS makes awesome subwoofers, and they generally have a couple more bells and whistles, so don't get me wrong. In the end, though, it's all about performance.

I am not trying to start an argument, because I have never heard the subs in question head to head, but there has to be a bit more to subs than just max spl. SVS and Rythmik are both ID companies, so I am guessing they have similar markup vs. B&M brands. That makes me wonder why the SVS cost more? I mean, something in there must cost them more to make than what is costs Rythmik to make their subs. Maybe better amps or better drivers. Maybe better construction. Just food for thought.

 

[templemaners]

I would say part of why the SVS's cost more would have to be that shipping is "free" for the SVS subs. Of course, in reality, it's not free shipping, it's just rolled into the price listed. As jordan122345 noted, the prices are very close to the same between the FV15HP and PB12-Plus once shipping is factored in for the Rythmik.

Also, I don't think we can assume that both companies have the same markup vs. B&M brands simply because they happen to be ID.

jordan122345, one last thing you could look at if you're trying to choose between the FV15HP and PB12-Plus is how much adjustability you have with the respective amps. SVS's is pretty slick DSP, while the FV15HP is all knob based (not that knob based is a negative). I think either choice you'll be good on output in the size of room you have, but maybe one would be easier to setup and fine tune to get the smoothest response.

There should be documentation on both websites (I found the SVS one pretty easily) on how to use their amps - might be worth a read.

 

[jordan122345]

Yep looks like the reviews that I have read that the SVS has a more user friendly amp on it.Looks like the Rythmik does have a tiny bit of better performance.So tough decision ahead

 

[Nuance AH]

I am not trying to start an argument, because I have never heard the subs in question head to head, but there has to be a bit more to subs than just max spl. SVS and Rythmik are both ID companies, so I am guessing they have similar markup vs. B&M brands. That makes me wonder why the SVS cost more? I mean, something in there must cost them more to make than what is costs Rythmik to make their subs. Maybe better amps or better drivers. Maybe better construction. Just food for thought.

No worries, your post didn't come across as argumentative, and you asked some good questions. From what I gather, SVS adds a few extra options, such as a beefier amp and easier to use EQ adjustments built in. Their PB13 Ultra is also lower in distortion, though that is moot because the FV15HP's distortion is below the audible threshold. Finally, due to the extra weight I'd gather the cabinet is a little more inert, possibly even utilizing more bracing and thicker walls; I can't be sure, though. In the end, it's all about performance and overall satisfaction, with these attrubutes coming to mind off the top of my head:

1) Sound quality for music and movies
2) Max output, which is applicable to the room size. i.e. Is it enough subwoofer for the room size?
3) Build quality
4) Features
5) Price (price/performance ratio)
5) Customer service

Both have proven themselves in these areas, so now it comes down to price and preference. Both have PEQ, both output a lot of bass and both have superb build quality. I can only speak for myself, but both sound pretty awesome as well. So now you're left with customer service (both are great) and price. If you're like me, you want the best, but only within a certain cost. Sure I could buy the most expensive option, but once you hit the point of diminishing returns the most expensive product isn't necessarily the best; the FV15H is a good example of that IMO, being $1200 as opposed to the PB13 Ultra's $1999. Speakers are another great example, as my $2700/pair of speakers sounds better than every Wilson Audio speaker I've ever heard. So, with all things factored in (build quality, sound quality, max output, customer service, proper implementation for said room size and finally price), which is the better buy objectively?

 

[Nuance AH]

Yep looks like the reviews that I have read that the SVS has a more user friendly amp on it.Looks like the Rythmik does have a tiny bit of better performance.So tough decision ahead

That's subjective, but I'd agree with that, yes; it's a little easier to use. With that said, you could buy a Behringer 1124p ($100) or DCX2496 ($300) and have a much nicer EQ than what the SVS has, plus a better performing subwoofer (the FV15HP) for less than the price of the SVS. Just food for thought.

Doh - I forgot one important attribute from my post above: Aesthetics. In my opinion the SVS is much nicer looking, and my wife agrees. I don't need any subwoofers (very happy with what I currently have), but I wouldn't be surprised if my wife opted to spend the extra $800 on the SVS based on looks alone. To each their own.

P.S. Either of these subwoofers are going to be awesome - just awesome! It's up to you to decide if the SVS is worth the extra $800 for attributes that don't pertain to sound quality/performance.

 

[templemaners]

Nuance, keep in mind he's not comparing the FV15HP & PB13-Ultra. He's looking at the PB12-Plus and FV15HP.

 

[Nuance AH]

Nuance, keep in mind he's not comparing the FV15HP & PB13-Ultra. He's looking at the PB12-Plus and FV15HP.

:::Slaps himself in the head::: DOH - you're right. I knew that from his previous post but forgot for some reason (think I got caught up/confused when answering NewHTbuyer's question). I am sorry.

 

[jordan122345]

Believe me I wish I could get the PB13ultra just cannot afford the extra $600 right now.But I am getting ready to email Rythmik in a few minutes to get a better idea of what I should be looking for here.So we will see what happens here.I do like the looks a bit more on the SVS but the Rythmik is not bad at all.

 

[Nuance AH]

Do keep us posted. Whatever you choose should be quite awesome.

 

[NewHTbuyer]

Here is what Audioholics measured as far as output of the FV15Hp vs the PB12-Plus:

Rythmik FV-15HP CEA-2010 Distortion Test Results
Rythmik FV-15HP CEA Test Performance
Frequency Maximum Peak SPL @ 1 Meter
20 Hz 113.5 dB
25 Hz 119.0 dB
32 Hz 123.8 dB
40 Hz 126.0 dB
50 Hz 125.9 dB
63 Hz 125.7 dB
Max SPL Output Data of the Rythmik FV15HP Subwoofer (1 meter groundplane)

SV Sound PB12-Plus CEA Test Performance
Frequency Maximum Peak SPL @ 1 Meter RMS @ 2 meter with DSP Correction
20 Hz 114.4 dB 107 dB
25 Hz 117.0 dB 109.5 dB
32 Hz 119.0 dB 111.5 dB
40 Hz 121.4 dB 114.3 dB
50 Hz 122.8 dB 115.3 dB
63 Hz 122.8 dB 115.3 dB
Max SPL Output Data of the SVS PB12-Plus DSP Subwoofer (1 meter groundplane)

Comparing the 1 meter readings (the second column of the SVS is corrected to 2 meters) it looks like the FV15HP has a 2-3 dB advantage at most frequencies except 20Hz. It is up to you whether that 2-3db is worth it compared to the slightly better looks and amp/driver on the SVS. That may depend on how loud you listen and how big your room is. Either way, both will kick butt!

 

[jordan122345]

The room is pretty small at around 1800 cubic feet.And I should be making my decision in the next week for sure.I am just not sure how big a difference the few extra db's of the rythmik will be.So at 20hz and below I wonder how much difference it will be especially with movies only.