Dual or Triple Subwoofer Selection (<$3000)

[Space2013]

My max budget is $3,000 (ideally closer to $2,500) and my space is roughly 3,000 cubic feet. My main seating area is in the middle of the room, as the home theater is one half of a rectangle(ish) space.

After much discussion with folks here on Audioholics, I am leaning towards going with triple SVS PB-2000 Pros. I was considering dual SVS PB-3000s, however it sounds like triple PB-2000s will better even out the response when setup correctly and the headroom loss compared to dual PB-3000 won't be too bad. I was considering quad subwoofers, however I think space and budget limitations would make that harder.

I know triple may take a little extra work to setup correctly and I'm okay with that. Is there anything else I maybe missing or anything I should consider instead of the PB-2000 Pro for a triple setup?

 

[KEW]

As a general rule, you can get more sub from Hsu for the same coin. However, SVS offers CS above even that of the other ID sub companies (which is very good)!
Some one like @shadyJ might best suggest which Hsu sub would be fair competition and what trade-offs you would have. SVS has partially invested their future in software/app to control sub. Not sure about your model. Hsu is physically plugging ports or flipping switches on units. For most of us we figure out what we like and forget it, so it really doesn't matter too much once you have things set. However, if you are an insatiable tweaker, I'd imagine the SVS would be the way to go!
Either will do an very good job of performing sub duties, so I see it mainly as a matter of whether or not to save a little money and which user-interface better suits you!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I think the Pb/pc2000 would be a good choice. Iirc, the 2k series were in the outlet for 799ea. As far as setting up 3 subs, I personally use a minidsp but you might be able to use SVS’s built in peq, although it only has three bands available. As Kurt mentioned most of us are set it and forget, so app control may be of little value. Ymmv.
In any case, an investment in rew/umik will be necessary to get the absolute best out of any subs. Also, being in the exact center of a room is really bad for bass performance, even with multiple subs. I would consider moving the LP.

 

[mazersteven]

JMO I would rather run One PB16 Ultra then 3 -2000's.

PB16-Ultra Subwoofer | SVS

Earth-shaking levels of bass far below human hearing limits, yet incredibly accurate, detailed and controlled.

www.svsound.com

Would you rather have a .38 in a Gun Fight or a .44 Magnum

 

[Space2013]

I think the Pb/pc2000 would be a good choice. Iirc, the 2k series were in the outlet for 799ea. As far as setting up 3 subs, I personally use a minidsp but you might be able to use SVS’s built in peq, although it only has three bands available. As Kurt mentioned most of us are set it and forget, so app control may be of little value. Ymmv.
In any case, an investment in rew/umik will be necessary to get the absolute best out of any subs. Also, being in the exact center of a room is really bad for bass performance, even with multiple subs. I would consider moving the LP.

I’m going to try to adjust the listening position so it isn’t exactly center along the long wall, but given a variety of constraints it will always be close to center along the short wall.

I had not considered triple subwoofers until @shadyJ pointed the idea out to me. For some reason I was always stuck on two or four.

 

[Space2013]

JMO I would rather run One PB16 Ultra then 3 -2000's.

PB16-Ultra Subwoofer | SVS

Earth-shaking levels of bass far below human hearing limits, yet incredibly accurate, detailed and controlled.

www.svsound.com

I do struggle with that. My instinct is to go with one or two big subs versus many smaller subs. But I do think my room in particular will benefit from at least dual, if not more, subwoofers. I’m trying to find the right balance of quantity and size. While I think more than one sub will benefit my room, I don’t want to end up with half a dozen tiny subs either.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Normally, I would choose one big sub vs multiple smaller ones. But in this case, as long as there’s freedom of placement, and especially considering this isn’t a question of one excellent sub vs 3 crappy ones, I’d go with three 2k’s. Without a refresher on the data, three 2k’s should offer nearly the same extension but offer more headroom, midbass performance, and the benefit of(potential) smoothing. Now, if you were asking about four 12” polks or Klipsch, I’d say buy the ultra(or 4k series) and save up for another right away. FWIW, I use three subs, and I think the 2,4,6,8 etc is just something people get stuck on. Not that there isn’t benefit, but no reason odd numbers can’t work.

 

[Verdinut]

I do struggle with that. My instinct is to go with one or two big subs versus many smaller subs. But I do think my room in particular will benefit from at least dual, if not more, subwoofers. I’m trying to find the right balance of quantity and size. While I think more than one sub will benefit my room, I don’t want to end up with half a dozen tiny subs either.

Are you owning a house or renting a flat or an apartment? If you rent, you might as well forget about the PB16-Ultra as you would definitely need a dedicated 20 amp AC circuit to power it.
Personally, I would suggest two PB-2000 Pros as a first step and a third one later on.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd go for three Hsu VTF-3 mk5s instead....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I'd go for three Hsu VTF-3 mk5s instead....

Can’t really argue much against this either. Except if he wants app control...

 

[lovinthehd]

Can’t really argue much against this either. Except if he wants app control...

What does app control particularly bring to the table?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

What does app control particularly bring to the table?

For me? Nothing. But he did mention the PRO series, so I figured it was a thing...

 

[ryanosaur]

JMO I would rather run One PB16 Ultra then 3 -2000's.

PB16-Ultra Subwoofer | SVS

Earth-shaking levels of bass far below human hearing limits, yet incredibly accurate, detailed and controlled.

www.svsound.com

Would you rather have a .38 in a Gun Fight or a .44 Magnum
View attachment 39191

Why limit yourself to a single barrel when you can have 3?

Ooh, even better!

Or:

 

[ryanosaur]

and my space is roughly 3,000 cubic feet. My main seating area is in the middle of the room, as the home theater is one half of a rectangle(ish) space.

Is that 3000'3 the total open room volume, or is it bigger?

Also, what speakers are you using up front?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Why limit yourself to a single barrel when you can have 3?
View attachment 39206


Ooh, even better!
View attachment 39207

Or:
View attachment 39208

Or an UZI!!!!!!!

 

[ryanosaur]

Or an UZI!!!!!!!

Bill, How u holdin up these days, man?!

 

[mazersteven]

Bill, How u holdin up these days, man?!

He's a Spartan

 

[Space2013]

Is that 3000'3 the total open room volume, or is it bigger?

Also, what speakers are you using up front?

Total open space volume in the basement. The basement can be closed off with a door at the top of the stairs.

I’ll be using older Athena Audition AS-B2 speakers with an AS-C1 center for now. Was planning on the Monolith THX 365, Kali LP-8 or some Canton speakers later this year. I decided to get the subwoofers set first as I have none in that setup right now.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Bill, How u holdin up these days, man?!

I’m a Spartan! Lol

 

[Space2013]

Can’t really argue much against this either. Except if he wants app control...

I will look at HSU and Rythmik too before I make a final decision. I’ve just really enjoyed working with SVS so far, although Rythmik and HSU were also good at answering my questions. Thanks for the input all!