Paradigm SUB15 vs SVS PB13-ULTRA

timoteo

timoteo

Audioholic General
Dual PB-13U WOULD be nice!!!! :D

But $4000....? Yikes that's a lot, to me anyways. But it would sound amazing.

Now though I'm thinking, if I had $4000 to spend I'd most likely take the DIY route. Either dual TC-Sounds 5400 18" sealed or a quad FI 18" I.B. Manifold. Wow this thread has really ventured off (because of me sorry!)....but it sure is fun to think about.
 
F

FirstReflection

AV Rant Co-Host
One other thing to consider is that the PB13-Ultra can be run as a ported sub OR as a sealed sub. There is no such option with the Sub15, which is sealed, but uses an EQ boost to keep the response flat down to about 24Hz and then it rolls off somewhat steeply below that.

Like several of Paradigm's other sealed subs, and similar to Epik's sealed subs, they don't have the typical 2nd order roll off of a sealed sub starting up around 40Hz. They employ a bass boost to keep the frequency response flatter to a lower frequency.

Meanwhile, you get to choose what sort of response works best in your room with the PB13-Ultra.

As for the comparison to the Sub2, I haven't heard the Sub2. I've no doubt it's a fantastic sub. And it's certainly about as compact as you can make a six (!) 10-inch driver subwoofer! But I've gotta say, I think I'd opt for QUAD PB13-Ultras if I had $9000 to throw around on a subwoofer! Heck, I'd have quad PB13-Ultras and $1000 left over! I'm sure I could rustle up a room EQ system for that price that would equal the Paradigm PBK ;)

Also, since it seems as though the OP is actually considering a purchase of either the PB13-Ultra or the Sub15, don't forget about the PC13-Ultra cylinder version! At $1700 delivered, the cylinder is a ridiculous deal. It's great in a smaller room where floor space is at a premium. And you have the option to lay it down on its side, which makes it very easy to "hide" behind a couch or along the edge of a wall.

And QUAD PC13-Ultra? Only $6800! Could toss in a very nice pre-amp or receiver with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for that "left-over" $2200 :D

Again, not knocking the Sub2's performance. Just pointing out that it's kinda hard to beat the value of quad Ultras in comparison :p
 
M

midbassfreak:)

Audiophyte
Between the PB13-Ultra and Paradigm Sub 15, which of the two will output more in the 40Hz-80Hz region?
 
Pyrrho

Pyrrho

Audioholic Ninja
If you had the choice of having one of these two subs for free, which would you choose?

SVS
PB13-ULTRA - SVS

Paradigm
SUB 15 - Welcome to the New Official Paradigm® Website.
I would go with the SVS. It is great, and several reviewers have actually measured it and so it is certain that the SVS is great. (SVS also has a good warranty and good customer service, and a good track record for reliability, so there are no reasons to reject it.) The Paradigm has reviews without actual measurements (at least, I have not seen any professional reviews of it with actual measurements), so it is an unknown in certain respects. Additionally, given the performance of the SVS relative to the Paradigm Sub 2, which is a much more expensive model than the Sub 15, the SVS almost certainly is much better than the Sub 15.

I would, however, personally prefer the cylinder version of the SVS, as it is lighter, of a size that is easy to grab when one needs to move it, and it takes up less floor space. And if paying for it, it is also less expensive.
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
Between the PB13-Ultra and Paradigm Sub 15, which of the two will output more in the 40Hz-80Hz region?
Until the sub 15 gets measured, its hard to say, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Sub 15 has more output in that range. It has a beast of a driver and amplifier, and it seem to me it would be better geared for high output in that region than the PB13. The PB13 will unquestionably be superior in deep bass though. If you are interested in mid bass output, I think the Seaton Submersive is likely for far outperform either in that region.
 
J

JonnyFive23517

Audioholic
Paradigm SUB 15, sell it, and buy dual SB13s instead. Comparing a $3500 sealed sub and a $2000 ported sub is kind of a strange comparison, IMO.
 
M

midbassfreak:)

Audiophyte
Until the sub 15 gets measured, its hard to say, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Sub 15 has more output in that range. It has a beast of a driver and amplifier, and it seem to me it would be better geared for high output in that region than the PB13. The PB13 will unquestionably be superior in deep bass though. If you are interested in mid bass output, I think the Seaton Submersive is likely for far outperform either in that region.
Thank you for that sir.
Unfortunately Seaton subs are not available in my location :-(
How about the JL F113 against the Sub 15 in the 40-80Hz region?
Thanks again.
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
I would still bet on the Sub 15, but I wouldn't bet my house on that. Remember that is just a guess on my part. There was a direct comparison between the Old PB13 and the f113, you can see how loud they can get here and here. If you are really interested in loud mid bass, you ought to be looking at live audio subs. They will get many times louder than these home audio subs. None of these subs are going to go over 120 dB, but many live sound sub can do over 130 dB easy.
 
Rippyman

Rippyman

Audioholic
I would still bet on the Sub 15, but I wouldn't bet my house on that. Remember that is just a guess on my part. There was a direct comparison between the Old PB13 and the f113, you can see how loud they can get here and here. If you are really interested in loud mid bass, you ought to be looking at live audio subs. They will get many times louder than these home audio subs. None of these subs are going to go over 120 dB, but many live sound sub can do over 130 dB easy.

I ended up purchasing the SVS.

See here http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/85426-arrived.html
 
Cos

Cos

Audioholic Samurai
After two repairs to my Seismic 12, I am waiting for it to go bad again before I upgrade. Will probably go 2 subs. I think you made the right sub choice

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