Conquest vs. PB Ultra-13...

[mustang90]

ok. it has come down to either the epik conquest or the svs pb ultra-13. i am close enough to pick up the conquest(no shipping). meanwhile, svs is offering free shipping. the ONLY downfall i can see with the epik is the size. i am really curious if the bigger box and driver will be that much better than the ultra which is much easier on the size issue. has anyone here heard both for comparisons sake?

 

[croseiv]

The Conquest has the very slightest edge in the output category. The Ultra is much better looking, more flexible, and most probably better for music (I've never heard a Conquest, but am very familiar with the Craigsub list, and have researched it extensively). I struggled with this issue last year at this time. I now have two Ultras. Bought one last year and just got my second one a couple of months ago. Duals will crush a Conquest.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Is this your 3rd thread regarding a sub purchase.....???

In any event, I believe you have already gotten all the input you might hear, and will be getting the same thing over and over again...

That being said I will say what I already told you once before:

Mustang,

I think you will get a resounding response around here for the Ultra. I as many members have this unit and it is amazing for both music and especially home theater. The build quality and customer service from SVS are all *top notch*. The only other unit that I would consider in this category would be the HSU ULS-15 which is not one on your list but has also gotten very glowing marks. This unit, unlike the SVS, is a sealed 15" if you have any inclination towards a sealed unit.

All in all I would certainly put in another vote for the 13-Ultra....

 

[mustang90]

Is this your 3rd thread regarding a sub purchase.....???

In any event, I believe you have already gotten all the input you might hear, and will be getting the same thing over and over again...

That being said I will say what I already told you once before:

thanks for your input, AGAIN!! maybe you will understand the fact i am not in the market to waste $1500 and i'm looking for as much input as possible! i had specifically asked about a direct comparison between the ultra and conquest. have you heard either one, or just one? if so, i would greatly appreciate YOUR input.

 

[mustang90]

The Conquest has the very slightest edge in the output category. The Ultra is much better looking, more flexible, and most probably better for music (I've never heard a Conquest, but am very familiar with the Craigsub list, and have researched it extensively). I struggled with this issue last year at this time. I now have two Ultras. Bought one last year and just got my second one a couple of months ago. Duals will crush a Conquest.

the stacked ultras look VERY nice!!! if only i could right now...

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Unless you have an absolutely huge space the Ultra is going to be more than enough for reasonable listening habits....If you demand maximum output from one box then the conquest will be your choice...otherwise the Ultra will be a better all around sub that will play better on music....And then in a few months just add the second Ultra to go with it...

And I didn't mean anything from my previous post....but you will most likely get all the same glowing marks that all of us very happy Ultra owners have to give for that unit...

 

[Matt34]

Also, Epik isn't taking any new orders as of now. It appears they are backlogged.

 

[mustang90]

Unless you have an absolutely huge space the Ultra is going to be more than enough for reasonable listening habits....If you demand maximum output from one box then the conquest will be your choice...otherwise the Ultra will be a better all around sub that will play better on music....And then in a few months just add the second Ultra to go with it...

And I didn't mean anything from my previous post....but you will most likely get all the same glowing marks that all of us very happy Ultra owners have to give for that unit...

i appreciate the input greatly!! didn't mean to sound harsh in any way previously. i was just looking for the most subjective opinion possible. i know firsthand what it's like wanting to be a cheerleader for a great product you have bought and really like. think emotiva...

two ultras stacked, or just plain 2 in one room would be the ticket for sure. i have always preferred the sound of a bigger driver and am most curious as to how the 13.5" driver in the ultra stacks up to a 15 or 18"? of course the cabinet can have a lot to do with that i know too. then, the more i read about dual mfw-15's, they seem to be even another alternative! decisions, decisions... either way i go, i KNOW it will be way better than the klipsch rsw 15 i have.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

It is hard to make a choice, but I totally forgot to point out what Matt did with the fact that Epik has been backlogged with their orders so there's no telling how long you would have to wait...

Now as for the dual MFW-15's, that is a great and more cost effective option for duals subs if that is a route you really want to go....I know when I was researching my sub purchase that I read that the MFW's (dual MFW's that is) will have about the same or the slightest edge in terms of output on the Ultra. Of course dual Ultra's will be over the top....

Really comes down to the amount of space you have and what you are looking for. The box for the MW's is even bigger than the Ultra if I remember correctly, and that just was not an option for me--not to mention that I get the same out of one Ultra. As for the driver size, it holds up as I went from a 15' to this and it walks all over my Velo 15" that I had previously...

Despite the fact that I do own the Ultra, I have gone through a decent share of subs and can tell you in terms of output, response, sound quality, build quality, and customer service the PB13 is bar none the best that I have had the pleasure of owning...

 

[Ron Temple]

I haven't checked recently, but I think Chad is still accepting Conquest orders with a 5 week lead time. I own the PB13...great sub...that said, the Conquest is an awe inspiring solution. I've got freinds that have owned both. Conquest is much harder to tame, but it's effortless SPL with extremely low distortion. The problem is that you can load up the room and have it sound like mud. Thus, setup is crucial, especially if you don't have a large space. You're not likely to strain an Ultra either in most rooms and you might slightly prefer it's sweetness, but that's a subjectively close call unless you have room issues.

Go with your gut...both are great subs.

 

[larry7995]

I wonder about the raw stomping power of dual conquests

 

[mustang90]

the 'sweetness' is what i'm looking for with the ability to still lay the hammer down when needed. epik replied to my e-mail saying that 3 weeks would be the maximum leeway time for a conquest. my room is roughly 19x15 with a vaulted ceiling. my gut is saying svs...

 

[larry7995]

I have been admiring this quad system for combination of musical and powerful

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1092343


you are right though, lots of folks very happy with their Ultras

 

[larry7995]

and then I keep looking at this bass player's system with its conquest. I can imagine him putting on a concert dvd and jamming along with it

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=885079&page=156

 

[croseiv]

the 'sweetness' is what i'm looking for with the ability to still lay the hammer down when needed. epik replied to my e-mail saying that 3 weeks would be the maximum leeway time for a conquest. my room is roughly 19x15 with a vaulted ceiling. my gut is saying svs...

Here's what I think. I chose the Ultra last year because Epik was the new kid on the block, and I had no idea what the reliability of the Conquest was. Also, the Conquest strikes me as "unfinished" really. It seems too industrial. But it doesn't have any of the customizabilty that the Ultra has with its various PEQ/Room Comp/tunings. And honestly, IMO the rosenut finish is absolutely stunning. The Ultra is very rugged, very powerful, and very refined. It is a complete sub. If you did get the Conquest, and you needed to tame any room gain issues (or nulls), it would be more difficult to do since it does not have the PEQ/Room comp features. Oh and an Ultra can lay the hammer down!

 

[Ron Temple]

the 'sweetness' is what i'm looking for with the ability to still lay the hammer down when needed. epik replied to my e-mail saying that 3 weeks would be the maximum leeway time for a conquest. my room is roughly 19x15 with a vaulted ceiling. my gut is saying svs...

Your room is roughly the same dimensions as mine...though I have a 5' opening into another 5500 cube. The Ultra delivers reference level slam and the sweetness. I have it calibrated a couple of dbs cold as I run my mains Large. I've never run out of gas. Running demos at reference is house and ear damaging. Most movies get watched at -8 to -5. The room is just too small for reference. You'd likely have the same issue, so either sub is more than enough.

 

[mustang90]

and then I keep looking at this bass player's system with its conquest. I can imagine him putting on a concert dvd and jamming along with it

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=885079&page=156

yeah, gilbert is over on the klipsch site too. that is one sweet man cave!!

 

[mustang90]

time now for a cheer.... give me an s.... give me a v.... give me an s..... SVS!
i have to atleast make it fun now!

seriously though. somewhere down the line i know i'll end up with two subs and it seems the svs can do no wrong. not sure i would ever have enough room for two epik's anyhow. i really appreciate everyone's input on this! i'm going to mull it over until friday and then pull the trigger before the free shipping over at svs goes away.

on a side note, i'm really looking forward to seeing how much different the sound will be versus the klipsch rsw-15 i have. the passive radiator design just doesn't do it for me like the ported design does.

 

[croseiv]

seriously though. somewhere down the line i know i'll end up with two subs and it seems the svs can do no wrong.

If you do get an Ultra, you will be impressed. These subs are built like tanks and can really dish out quality, deep visceral bass.

 

[larry7995]

looking forward to your impressions when it arrives