Cyliner subs vs. Box subs...pros and cons

[SMM]

I'm looking at the SVS cyliner subs and intereted in opions/experience with cyliners vs. box designs. Any help greatly appreciated. Thks!

 

[malvado78]

You can call or email SVS and ask them. I believe it is basically just a personal preference. The cylinders are cheaper and provide the same performance except you can get the sub at different tuning points where with the boxes there is only one original tuning. Both can be lower by plugging ports once you get to a certain price point. The tubes are lighter and I believe shipping is cheaper. I have 20-39+ and love it. I believe either Buckeyefan or Macnaman (Who is no longer with us) had heard the boxes and the cylinders side by side and said they do have a slightly different sound. I believe SVS will tell you performance wise it is a wash though. You might also want to try the search function. THere have been quite a few threads asking the exact same question.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

You want to use a cylinder when space is an issue. The boxes take up a lot of real estate. Nothing we heard compared to the dual boxed subwoofers. The cylinders were impressive, and rattled the entire building, but because of placement issues at SVS, didn't provide that "punch." I was most impessed with the Plus/2 and Ultra/2 models, but at that price point - who wouldn't be. I'd love to get back there and demo the new subs they have out/coming out. Go with what fits in your room, and get as much sub as you can afford. Every step up with SVS is worth it - so my advice is to spring for a little more and go into debt for an extra month. After hearing what I heard, I couldn't just settle for entry to mid level SVS. It would have to be one of their giant killers.

 

[PENG]

I asked SVS that question before, they told me the cylinders and their box equivalents are virtually the same sonically. The main difference is that with the boxes you can have two drivers. For example the PB12-Ulra/2 box will beat the PC Ultra. However, if I remember right, they also told me that two PC Ultra (Single driver) will always trump one PB12-Ultra/2 (double driver).

 

[biz97]

Would one be more recommended for music over the other?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Would one be more recommended for music over the other?

The smaller PB10 box sub IMO would be recommended overall for music.

There is little comparison between the bass in the cylinders and that in the box subs. Not that one is better, but that they are different.

 

[johnnybon]

Cylinders can be customed tuned lower but the box subs can't.

 

[erik]

Cylinders can be customed tuned lower but the box subs can't.

Just to clear up the PB10-NSD, PB12-NSD and soon to be SB12-Plus can't be custom tuned by either the factory or by the owner. The PB12-NSD/2, PB12-Plus, PB12-Plus/2, PB12-Ultra and PB12-Ultra/2 all have variable tuning which can be done manually by the owner by plugging ports with the included port plugs. The PCPlus's and PCUltra also have manual variable tuning while the PCi subs can be custom tuned to extend to one lower setting by the factory when build (using a different length internal port).

So it's a little more complicated than just cylinders can be custom tuned lower but box subs can't

 

[Sheep]

Just to clear up the PB10-NSD, PB12-NSD and soon to be SB12-Plus can't be custom tuned by either the factory or by the owner. The PB12-NSD/2, PB12-Plus, PB12-Plus/2, PB12-Ultra and PB12-Ultra/2 all have variable tuning which can be done manually by the owner by plugging ports with the included port plugs. The PCPlus's and PCUltra also have manual variable tuning while the PCi subs can be custom tuned to extend to one lower setting by the factory when build (using a different length internal port).

So it's a little more complicated than just cylinders can be custom tuned lower but box subs can't

You forgot the PB-12NSD/V

SheepStar

 

[erik]

Actually we have discontinued the PB12-NSD/v. The old PB12-NSD and the PB12-NSD/v are being replaced by a new PB12-NSD. The new PB12-NSD has extension down to 18hz so the variable tuning is not really needed. You can read about it here: https://svsound.com/news-news.cfm#pb12_nsd_news

 

[ndangrd]

I'm looking at the SVS cyliner subs and intereted in opions/experience with cyliners vs. box designs. Any help greatly appreciated. Thks!

i'm in need of a good sub too & i just thought of one other issue for me...the cat. i can just see my cat using the cylinder as a scratching post! i don't know if anyone has had that happen, but i certainly wouldn't want it to...& no, getting rid of the cat isn't an option right now

i'll probably end up with a svs box now...since it seems all their subs are excellent?!?!

now i just need to figure out which one...

 

[JoeE SP9]

DIY'rs should check out the transmission line sub on the Pass DIY site. Cheap loud and low!!! It's also very easy to build.

 

[erik]

i'm in need of a good sub too & i just thought of one other issue for me...the cat. i can just see my cat using the cylinder as a scratching post! i don't know if anyone has had that happen, but i certainly wouldn't want it to...& no, getting rid of the cat isn't an option right now

i'll probably end up with a svs box now...since it seems all their subs are excellent?!?!

now i just need to figure out which one...

Hey ndangrd:

I have 3 cats and they've never taken an interest in scratching my cylinder subs, especially after the first time they were on. There is really no give to the fabric since there is a hard surface directly behind it; so cat's can't really sink their claws in. But I realize that different cats like scratching different things so I'm not going to guarantee your cats won't like it; but even if they do scratch the sub, the fabric is very durable and can take a lot of abuse. There are also a lot of ways to prevent cats from scratching things you don't want them to: you can spray them with a water gun when they do it, you can put double sided tape on the sub until they stop scratching, you can spray it with cat repellant, etc.

Having said all that, you can always go with one of our box subs which are virtually indestructible and never worry about it.

 

[Sheep]

Actually we have discontinued the PB12-NSD/v. The old PB12-NSD and the PB12-NSD/v are being replaced by a new PB12-NSD. The new PB12-NSD has extension down to 18hz so the variable tuning is not really needed. You can read about it here: https://svsound.com/news-news.cfm#pb12_nsd_news

So you're saying I need to change my signature?


Hm,

SheepStar

 

[ndangrd]

Hey ndangrd:

I have 3 cats and they've never taken an interest in scratching my cylinder subs, especially after the first time they were on. There is really no give to the fabric since there is a hard surface directly behind it; so cat's can't really sink their claws in. But I realize that different cats like scratching different things so I'm not going to guarantee your cats won't like it; but even if they do scratch the sub, the fabric is very durable and can take a lot of abuse. There are also a lot of ways to prevent cats from scratching things you don't want them to: you can spray them with a water gun when they do it, you can put double sided tape on the sub until they stop scratching, you can spray it with cat repellant, etc.

Having said all that, you can always go with one of our box subs which are virtually indestructible and never worry about it.

i'm not saying your product can't withstand a little abuse from cats, but i don't want to take a chance with my cat who will do those stupid things. every cylinder we have in this house, he'll attack whether it's a laundry basket, garbage can, scratching post, etc. so for me, i think a box will work better. i'm just glad i thought of this ahead of time.

i have it narrowed down to your pb12 (since it has all the inputs on back) & an infinity csw-10 (see my other thread), which will match my betas & be cheaper than the pb12. i really did want the cylinder, but like i said, i can't take a chance...at least until this cat is dead

 

[Doug917]

I used to have a pair of SVS 20-39CS+ subs but had to sell them. In order to locate them where the bass response was the flattest in my HT room (used the SMS-1 to do this, it would have put them right in fronth of my 92" screen between the center and L/R speakers. My screen is ony about 27" off the ground and the subs were 39" tall...so obviously, this didn't work for me. I ended up going with an Outlaw LFM-1 to replace them and have no complaints. Just thought I would share the height consideration.

 

[Ron Temple]

I've got 4 cats. As Erik said, once you crank it up, they become very wary of the cylinder(you would be too). Mine come into my room and help me listen to music from the LP. Sometimes they go over to investigate a bit closer, but very carefully.

Unless you've got psycho-kitty, I wouldn't worry about it.