SV Sound PB12-Plus/2 Subwoofer Review

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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/SVSPB12Plus2p1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 115px" alt=[Image_1b] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/Image_1b_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Once in a while you encounter a product that simply excels in the value-for-dollar category.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>The PB12-Plus/2 is just such a product and as such comes with a strong buy recommendation if you’re in the market for a sophisticated floor shaker that can dissipate enough acoustical power into the room sufficient to cause blurred vision.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Despite its brute power and tactile response, it serves up excellent musical and stunning home theater performance.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>[Read the Review]<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>[Measurements &amp; Analysis]</FONT></FONT></P>

 

[Sheep]

Great review Mark! I like how you go into such detail.

One thing missing though, War Of The Worlds!

Next time,

SheepStar

 

[craigsub]

An absolutely wonderful review. Well done !

 

[mike c]

can somebody translate the review for me ...

1) freq - spl chart of this one vs. the EP500 (the charts might be different - i dont know - but it seems that the freq. response of this SVS is as flat as can be) [or are these 2 charts apples and oranges]

 

[Ron Temple]

Very easy read...fun too.

 

[craigsub]

can somebody translate the review for me ...

1) freq - spl chart of this one vs. the EP500 (the charts might be different - i dont know - but it seems that the freq. response of this SVS is as flat as can be) [or are these 2 charts apples and oranges]

They are apples and oranges. The SVS's is a nearfield response curve taken indoors, while the Axiom was a response curve taken in a 4Pi setting - literally hoisted into the air on a pole, from one meter. It was also a prototype of the Axiom.

Here is Axiom's production curve.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Ah, pictures of the product dissassembled so we can get a coroner's eye view of them. Now 'atsa spicy review.

 

[Matt34]

Nice review!

I didn't realize that thing weighed a 165lbs!!

 

[HookedOnSound]

Would this sub be one of those we review it you win it reviews?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Would this sub be one of those we review it you win it reviews?

If Mark doesn't fall in love with it first (may be too late). After all, he did say his wife had a high acceptance of the unit. That's trouble for us.

 

[jaxvon]

Nice review Mark. I loved the detail in all aspects of the review. This is, in my opinion, a benchmark for how reviews should be structured here for loudspeakers. My only minor complaint would be that the images in the review were scaled down too much. I think you can afford a few hundred more kb of images on your server in the interest of preserving detail in the LMS screen shots and pictures of the disassembled product.

 

[Buckle-meister]

I'm interested in learning about the three tuning frequencies offered by the sub. What is the thinking behind this? I ask because my natural inclination is to think along the lines of:

If someone offers you a sub that can go down to 16, 20 or 25Hz, all ±3dB, which one would you choose?'

I can't imagine anyone not choosing the first option. What am I missing?

 

[j_garcia]

Lower tuning point will sacrifice some total output, so depending on the room you may not want to give up that output to get the lower tuning.

Nice review I haven't read the whole thing yet, but it seems pretty good so far.

 

[Buckle-meister]

Lower tuning point will sacrifice some total output...

Ahh! I understand now. Thanks.

 

[Duffinator]

Any thoughts on how this sub compares to either the Axiom EP 500/600? It's price is closer to the 500 but it's size is closer to the 600.

 

[mike c]

just like the ep600, you can buy a "chiller" upgrade and you can get yourself a refrigerator in the same footprint ... so in fact, you are saving space. these things can fit a keg or a large pizza

 

[j_garcia]

I think it would probably compare better to the 600. Though the 500 has the output higher up, it doesn't go as low. I'm waiting for a buddy of mine to get back from vacation so I can go listen to his EP500. I'll report back once I hear it

 

[Tee-HTF]

Excellent review as Audioholics always does a great job on reviewing products. I do agree about having higher rez pix as well.

 

[RMK!]

Another Great Review!

Audioholics continues to provide the best balanced reviews of any web site (or periodical for that matter). Great resource for those of us who are seeking audio enlightenment.

 

[dropbear]

ahh..finally, a review of this beast by AH...

Great review on a great product by a great US firm.

I live in Sydney Australia and a few years back i was in the hunt of a new subwoofer for my system. Having read a favourable review in Widescreen Review i set about doing my own research and came to the conclusion that this would be the unit to replace my two, yes two sunfire truesubs.

Well, some 10 months later and some to'ing and fro'ing with the boys from SVS (their service by the way is excellent) and enough cash saved, the order was placed and soon enough I too was presented with a box/crate I could not believe. I laugh at the pic of the young lady standing next to the shipping crate as i did the same thing with my wife (she's 4'11.5" ).

I am extremely happy with this unit and can see it being with me for a very long period of time. It plays loud - besting the two sunfires, has a great bass sound, integrates well and goes deep. what more could you want?

All up the unit set me back just under Aud$2600 (to the door and all shipping, duties and customs paid for - exchange rate I think was Aus$0.70 to US$1).

I have listened to many great subwoofers from high end makers that are costing Aud$5-10K and the SVS easily is amoungst this bretheren and in my opinion bests them on varying areas. So what do I have then... a BARGAIN, that's what I have.

Now, I'm not one to buy speakers without hearing them but from everything I had read (good and bad) my gut told me this was it and at the right price.

I still quietly laugh to myself when I go down to the Harvey Normans and the small boutique HiFi stores selling other reputable subwoofers from australia and overseas for a similar price or more than the SVS knowing in my mind that the SVS easily trounces them. I mean, for Aus$2,600, nothing compares.

Anyone who is up for a new sub in Australia, do yourself a favour, if you have the room (and measure the dimensions in your room as it is a big beast) do the research and hopefully you too will come to the conclusion I did. The process to get the Sub to Australia is relatively painless and the guys at SVS are more than helpful and do it right for you.

Enjoy.