Subwoofer choice help

[royalherm]

Hello fellow audioholics, I need some help deciding on a pair of subwoofers. My room is medium sized. I have the Denon 4500 receiver, and Elac Debut 2.0 6.5 floorstanding speakers, center and bookshelf rears. Here are my options, in no particular order:

1. Martin Logan Dynamo 700W 10" 300 Watts
2. Martin Logan Dynamo 800X 10" 300 Watts
3. SVS PC 2000 12" 500 Watts
4. SVS SB 2000 12" 500 Watts
5. SVS PB 2000 12" 500 Watts
6. SVS SB 3000 13" 800 Watts

I was reading about the differences between the PB and the SB in this forum. I'm still a little confused about that. I watch a lot of movies and TV shows mostly. Not a lot of music listening. I was also reading how some speakers have a limited range and can only go down so much before they become distorted.

I liked the Dynamo's when I listened to them at the store, but I haven't listened to the SVS speakers. They seemed to be the preferred brand amongst the numerous reviews I've read. Since I haven't read a lot of reviews or even heard too many people say they have the Dynamos, that's why I'm leaning more towards SVS.

My price range budget is about $700 to $1,000 per sub. So that's why I narrowed them down to this list. I am upgrading my Onkyo home theater in a box setup, so that's why I don't know much about subs. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Steve81]

Might help to clarify room size in cubic feet; still, of those, the PC/PB2000 seem like a fair bet. If you're willing to consider other alternatives, the Hsu VTF3.5HP is a great option as well.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I think the SVS options will be a better option. I like the ML app and ARC but it won’t make up for the output difference compared to the better SVS subs.

The difference between the P and S models is Ported vs sealed. Ported subs tend to have more output at the low end due to the greater efficiency from the port. Sealed subs tend to have more extended low frequencies but the output is not as high. For movies this is less of a concern, you usually need more output. Plus I think you can plug the ports and make these models sealed. The ported models are nice for their flexibility.

 

[royalherm]

Might help to clarify room size in cubic feet; still, of those, the PC/PB2000 seem like a fair bet. If you're willing to consider other alternatives, the HSU is a great option as well.

So my living room is connected to my kitchen, its probably between 2000 and 2500 cubic feet. I will take better measurements when I am home. And thank you about the HSU recommendation. I will take a look at those as well.

 

[royalherm]

I think the SVS options will be a better option. I like the ML app and ARC but it won’t make up for the output difference compared to the better SVS subs.

The difference between the P and S models is Ported vs sealed. Ported subs tend to have more output at the low end due to the greater efficiency from the port. Sealed subs tend to have more extended low frequencies but the output is not as high. For movies this is less of a concern, you usually need more output. Plus I think you can plug the ports and make these models sealed. The ported models are nice for their flexibility.

Yes I was looking at the ML app. And I know that the 800X just came out recently. I want to get something that's relatively new so I don't have to worry about upgrading them again in less than 5 years. The SVS PC look cool, but I'm just concerned that they're a little older and a new version will come out soon. I think that's why I threw the SB 3000 into the mix, since its a relatively newer speaker. Thanks for explaining the Ported vs sealed. so I should throw the SVS PB 3000 into the mix. But that's getting a little out of my budget. lol And The SVS PC 4000 are way out of my budget, unless I just get one.

 

[lovinthehd]

One note about "listening" to subs is they highly depend on the room and setup. Stores often do not do a very good job of presenting them. I wouldn't worry about such differences buying "unheard" from among the better sub providers. Buying directly from SVS has some added customer service perks so I'd consider that, too. Subs from Hsu, Rythmik, Power Sound Audio (and other sub specialists) would definitely be worth considering and in a sense you really can't go wrong with their offerings. While the updated ML subs seem more interesting than their past models, they'd not be at the top of my list.

As mentioned the SVS model coding is S for sealed P for ported and additionally PC is ported column style (vs B for box).

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Yeah I’ll add to what’s being said that bass is very room dependent. Unlike mid and high frequencies, which we hear as mostly direct sound, at low frequencies it’s nearly entirely reflected sound. This means there really isn’t a sub sound, it’s a room sound. Whatever the room does to your sub is what you hear. Most of the differences people hear in subs comes from the dynamic differences between them. What that means is that the sub with the loudest clean output over the widest bandwidth is the best sub.

That also means that sub age isn’t that important. A good sub is a good sub. The difference between the PB3000 and the PB4000 is minimal. It’s mostly looks and an app. The performance is similar. If someone upgraded from one to the other and heard a difference then either they are a)nuts, b)had a broken sub, or c)set them up differently.

I’m currently reviewing the ML 1100x and it’s a great sub. We can argue over value, I do think the SVS and HSU offer more sub for the dollar. At the same time, I have a handful of other subs in the room and I hooked them up implace of the 1100x and I actually couldn’t hear a difference. That included replacing the 12” sub with my 18” sub. If I pushed things with the right music the 1100x would reach its limit and I am sure i would hear the 18 stand out, but for this music and at these levels, I only heard my room.

So...get the most sub from the brand you are most comfortable owning. I highly suggest judging the “most” sub based on the CEA-2010 measurements where available. Don’t worry about a dB or two difference, but when you start seeing 3, 6, or even more decibal differences, that should tell you something.

 

[kini]

Hello fellow audioholics, I need some help deciding on a pair of subwoofers. My room is medium sized. I have the Denon 4500 receiver, and Elac Debut 2.0 6.5 floorstanding speakers, center and bookshelf rears. Here are my options, in no particular order:

1. Martin Logan Dynamo 700W 10" 300 Watts
2. Martin Logan Dynamo 800X 10" 300 Watts
3. SVS PC 2000 12" 500 Watts
4. SVS SB 2000 12" 500 Watts
5. SVS PB 2000 12" 500 Watts
6. SVS SB 3000 13" 800 Watts

I was reading about the differences between the PB and the SB in this forum. I'm still a little confused about that. I watch a lot of movies and TV shows mostly. Not a lot of music listening. I was also reading how some speakers have a limited range and can only go down so much before they become distorted.

I liked the Dynamo's when I listened to them at the store, but I haven't listened to the SVS speakers. They seemed to be the preferred brand amongst the numerous reviews I've read. Since I haven't read a lot of reviews or even heard too many people say they have the Dynamos, that's why I'm leaning more towards SVS.

My price range budget is about $700 to $1,000 per sub. So that's why I narrowed them down to this list. I am upgrading my Onkyo home theater in a box setup, so that's why I don't know much about subs. Thanks in advance for your help.

Of those choices for HT the PC/PB2000 would be the best choice then the SB3000 then the SB2000 and then the ML subs.

I wouldn't worry about the PC/PB2000 being an older model. It's actually not that old at least for subs. Also SVS has a one year trade in/up policy.

A pair of the PC/PB2000s will have a lot more output below about 25hz than a pair of the SB3000s. But the SB3000s will have more above that and quite a bit more above 40-50hz. 2500 cubic feet is not the large of a space and you would get decent room gain on the SB3000s to help make up for being sealed. Tough choice.

With SVS you can of course try them out for 45 days risk free. You might also want to give SVS a call the ask them which would be better for your situation.

 

[Danzilla31]

Hello fellow audioholics, I need some help deciding on a pair of subwoofers. My room is medium sized. I have the Denon 4500 receiver, and Elac Debut 2.0 6.5 floorstanding speakers, center and bookshelf rears. Here are my options, in no particular order:

1. Martin Logan Dynamo 700W 10" 300 Watts
2. Martin Logan Dynamo 800X 10" 300 Watts
3. SVS PC 2000 12" 500 Watts
4. SVS SB 2000 12" 500 Watts
5. SVS PB 2000 12" 500 Watts
6. SVS SB 3000 13" 800 Watts

I was reading about the differences between the PB and the SB in this forum. I'm still a little confused about that. I watch a lot of movies and TV shows mostly. Not a lot of music listening. I was also reading how some speakers have a limited range and can only go down so much before they become distorted.

I liked the Dynamo's when I listened to them at the store, but I haven't listened to the SVS speakers. They seemed to be the preferred brand amongst the numerous reviews I've read. Since I haven't read a lot of reviews or even heard too many people say they have the Dynamos, that's why I'm leaning more towards SVS.

My price range budget is about $700 to $1,000 per sub. So that's why I narrowed them down to this list. I am upgrading my Onkyo home theater in a box setup, so that's why I don't know much about subs. Thanks in advance for your help.

I owned the SVS PB 2000's before I upgraded to the PB 4000's. I can completely recommend SVS no reservations I love mine and loved the 2000 series. Just have a much bigger room then yours why I had to upgrade

The 2000's were not slouches in that room tho by any means and I think would do wonders in your smaller area

I guess my way of wrapping my brain around ported vs sealed. Is for movies tv stuff you want a lotta big BOOM! Go ported. For music and or you want less BOOM but more fineesssee go sealed lol.

There's a lot more to it then that but it was a simple way of looking at it when I got started that helped me wrap my head around the concepts of ported vs sealed in the beginning.

Good luck with your shopping have fun and keep us updated! We want to live vicariously through your experience! Lol