SB-2000 to PC-2000 Pro or ULS-15 or VTF-3?

[rom3]

Hi All,

I recently moved into a new house and find my dual SVS SB-2000's may not be up to the task as the floor plan is more open than my previous house. Still sounds good, but lacks that punch/impact I was used to. Looking for advice on upgrading subs and have narrowed my choices down to 3.

Criteria:
* budget is around $2,500
* weight of subs is important (have to be able to move around myself)
* focused mostly on music (rock, pop, electric blues, smooth jazz, etc. kick drum and bass guitar) and concert blu-rays with some movie viewing, so I'm assuming I would be willing to sacrifice very low bass for more mid-bass?

If my listening room were "sealed" (no openings), it would measure 18 ft. x 14 ft. with a 10' ft. ceiling for volume of 2,520 cubic ft.

However, about half of the rear wall opens up to a kitchen and half of the left wall opens up to a long hallway and the kitchen. Kitchen is 20.5 ft. x 12 ft. x 9 ft. = 2,214 cubic ft. Adding that to the listening room itself would be a total of 4,734 cubic ft.

The hallway adds another 30 ft. x 6.5 ft. x 9 ft. = 1,755 cubic ft. Not sure if this should be added or not, but if I do, I get 6,489 cubic ft. See floor plan sketch below. Subs are the gray boxes in the front left and rear right positions relative to the couch and chairs (blue boxes).

I'm considering the following subs from SVS and HSU. I've had subs from both companies and have gotten good support from both and like their products:
* SVS 2 X PC-2000 Pro, 47.4 lbs./ea., $2,099 shipped
* HSU 2 X ULS-15 Mk2, 65 lbs./ea., $2,608 $2,129 shipped
* HSU 2 X VTF-3 Mk5, 85 lbs./ea., $2,209 shipped

I'm thinking the PC-2000 Pro is just not enough of an upgrade to make it worth while, but could be convinced it is. The HSU/ULS-15 is very interesting (I read the review by James here) although the most expensive choice, kind of leaning towards this one. I like the small size relative to the others, weight is acceptable. I'm getting good bass down to 25 Hz or so with my current 12" sealed subs (see REW picture below, this is with miniDSP and REW EQ). Seems the HSU/VTF-3 kills the ULS-15 in output almost everywhere, but maybe I don't need that much? Heaviest of the bunch and at the max of what I would consider weight wise.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Although the PC2k pros would be a big step up from the sb’s, I’d go for the VTF. I’m not a fan of sealed subs and imo the vtf can hold its own in midbass while giving the option of ulf extension. To me this is the best of both worlds.
@Pogre!!!!!!!!!!
He has a pair of them and is also slightly leaned toward music playback as well, and loves them.

 

[shadyJ]

Hi All,

I recently moved into a new house and find my dual SVS SB-2000's may not be up to the task as the floor plan is more open than my previous house. Still sounds good, but lacks that punch/impact I was used to. Looking for advice on upgrading subs and have narrowed my choices down to 3.

Criteria:
* budget is around $2,500
* weight of subs is important (have to be able to move around myself)
* focused mostly on music (rock, pop, electric blues, smooth jazz, etc. kick drum and bass guitar) and concert blu-rays with some movie viewing, so I'm assuming I would be willing to sacrifice very low bass for more mid-bass?

If my listening room were "sealed" (no openings), it would measure 18 ft. x 14 ft. with a 10' ft. ceiling for volume of 2,520 cubic ft.

However, about half of the rear wall opens up to a kitchen and half of the left wall opens up to a long hallway and the kitchen. Kitchen is 20.5 ft. x 12 ft. x 9 ft. = 2,214 cubic ft. Adding that to the listening room itself would be a total of 4,734 cubic ft.

The hallway adds another 30 ft. x 6.5 ft. x 9 ft. = 1,755 cubic ft. Not sure if this should be added or not, but if I do, I get 6,489 cubic ft. See floor plan sketch below. Subs are the gray boxes in the front left and rear right positions relative to the couch and chairs (blue boxes).

I'm considering the following subs from SVS and HSU. I've had subs from both companies and have gotten good support from both and like their products:
* SVS 2 X PC-2000 Pro, 47.4 lbs./ea., $2,099 shipped
* HSU 2 X ULS-15 Mk2, 65 lbs./ea., $2,608 shipped
* HSU 2 X VTF-3 Mk5, 85 lbs./ea., $2,209 shipped

I'm thinking the PC-2000 Pro is just not enough of an upgrade to make it worth while, but could be convinced it is. The HSU/ULS-15 is very interesting (I read the review by James here) although the most expensive choice, kind of leaning towards this one. I like the small size relative to the others, weight is acceptable. I'm getting good bass down to 25 Hz or so with my current 12" sealed subs (see REW picture below, this is with miniDSP and REW EQ). Seems the HSU/VTF-3 kills the ULS-15 in output almost everywhere, but maybe I don't need that much? Heaviest of the bunch and at the max of what I would consider weight wise.

View attachment 55559
View attachment 55560

I am not sure why you have the ULS-15 subs with such a high price quote, if you are in the continental USA, they are less expensive than that. That looks like you are quoting the VTF15h mk2 costs. That being said, I would go for the VTF-3 mk5 subs. They have the same mid-bass as the ULS-15 but a lot more deep bass output than the ULS-15.

 

[rom3]

I am not sure why you have the ULS-15 subs with such a high price quote, if you are in the continental USA, they are less expensive than that. That looks like you are quoting the VTF15h mk2 costs. That being said, I would go for the VTF-3 mk5 subs. They have the same mid-bass as the ULS-15 but a lot more deep bass output than the ULS-15.

Thanks! I quoted the MSRP by mistake on the ULS-15, they are selling at a lower price per the web site. Corrected the price in my original post.

 

[ParisB]

Another vote for HSU VTF from that list, unless you go up to the PB3000 models (but unfortunately stretches the budget too much).

 

[snakeeyes]

I would go HSU VTF3.

 

[JasonGSG]

For consideration!

Dual Marty Cube 15" Enclosures $359ea (shipping Included),
20.0” wide, 23.0” deep, 25.5” tall, tuned @ 21 Hz & >115dB @ 24 Hz & 75lbs (+30lbs driver)
Dual Dayton RSS390HO, $269ea (shipping Included), 800w RMS / 1600w peak, 8Ω, 93db
Behringer NX6000d, $549ea (shipping Included), 1200w x2 with definable DSP
$1805 (plus some finishing material)
Or
Dual Marty Cube 15" SQL Enclosures $288ea (shipping Included),
20.0” wide, 23.0” deep, 25.5” tall, tuned @ 21 Hz & >115dB @ 24 Hz & 75lbs (+30lbs driver)
Stereo Integrity SQL15, $311ea, 1000w RMS / 2000w peak, 4Ω & 95db
Behringer NX6000d, $549ea (shipping Included), 1200w x2 with definable DSP
Shipping $320
$2067 (plus some finishing material)

Performance Comparison;
VTF3 CEA2010 2m hz/db (2 ports open)
16/98, 20/105, 25/110, 31/115, 40/119, 50/119, 63/118, 80/117
Marty SQL
12.5/101, 16/108, 20/114, 25/115, 31/116, 40 on 117db

Thats a 10db gain at 16hz, 9db at 20hz, 5db at 31hz & +-2db through 120hz (an absolute crushing 31hz & below)