SVS PB12-Plus vs Epik Phoenix need upgrade advice!

[m3maniac]

The present set up 7.1: Denon AVR4802R
Polk Lsi9 surround sounds-2 front, 2 side, 2 rear
Polk Lsic center channel
Infinity Northridge E250P subwoofer
BenQ PE8700 projector
PS3, X-Box 360, Scientific Atlanta HD-HDMI 1080i cable box
Room size: 25’ long x 12’ wide with an 8’ ceiling
Projector is located 12’-6” from front of screen. Screen size viewable 91” wide x 52” high
Seating centrally located.

I'm upgrading to the OPPO BDP-83 Blue-Ray player to enjoy the latest surround sound fields through the Denon.

I would like to get a sub to compliment this set up.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lsiberian]

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Look both ways when crossing the street.

On the serious note:
Epik has good commercial subs but for home theater I'd pick SVS. They have great finishes nice extension, and excellent customer service.

If your good with wood though. Then build your own sub. The Kappa Perfect plans are on the DIY section of the site.

I think either way would be a good satisfying choice. But I prefer SVS myself.

 

[m3maniac]

What about upgrading to the SVS PB13-Ultra

I'm still thinking if I only use one sub what about the SVS PB13-Ultra Sub?

If I had the desire could I run two subs the SVS 12 or 13 with the JBL Northridge E250P? Or are they so unbalanced that it would be pointless?

 

[Matt34]

The Phoenix is more comparable to the Ultra than the pb-12 plus. The difference between the Phoenix and the Ultra would IMO be very little with the Ultra having the options of different tunes and the ARO software bulit in.

Two pluses will probably have more output above it's tuning frequency than either that Ultra or Phoenix.

 

[Ron Temple]

The Phoenix is more comparable to the Ultra than the pb-12 plus. The difference between the Phoenix and the Ultra would IMO be very little with the Ultra having the options of different tunes and the ARO software bulit in.

Two pluses will probably have more output above it's tuning frequency than either that Ultra or Phoenix.

I'm not sure I agree. I heard the Phoenix recently. I don't think the Phoenix is as close to the Ultra13 as you think. Could have been the different rooms and placement, so I'm not going to say anymore about that...great sub though.

 

[Matt34]

I'm not sure I agree. I heard the Phoenix recently. I don't think the Phoenix is as close to the Ultra13 as you think. Could have been the different rooms and placement, so I'm not going to say anymore about that...great sub though.

I guess I'm going off what other have said, some have referred to the Dragon as an Ultra in the sealed configuration so I would assume that the ported Phoenix would be close to the Ultra in it's 15hz tune. It would probably be close and likely only a in-room comparison of both would show the differences.

As far the the OP issue, I would probably take the two pluses over either of the other single sub choices for your size of room.

 

[Ron Temple]

I guess I'm going off what other have said, some have referred to the Dragon as an Ultra in the sealed configuration so I would assume that the ported Phoenix would be close to the Ultra in it's 15hz tune. It would probably be close and likely only a in-room comparison of both would show the differences.

As far the the OP issue, I would probably take the two pluses over either of the other single sub choices for your size of room.

I think I'm the one that said the Dragon and sealed Ultra are similar. That's what Chad told me. It was before I heard the Phoenix. You'd think the Phoenix and Ultra would be similar based on driver size, box and amp power. I'm sure they are somewhere in the FR. The Phoenix driver looks like it could handle twice the power. I'm not sure the amp can get it to xmax. Makes for a sweet sounding, effortless sub.

Yep, a pair of Pluses are going to outdo them both, the last rev had more output than the U13, but in my room, I don't need it.

 

[AVRat]

M3, how much are you looking to spend? Either of these subs will perform magnanimously in your 2400 cu. ft. room. Believe me, just one Plus alone performs well with plenty of output in my 3600 cu. ft. area. Now, if you'd like to consider a dual setup then perhaps dual Epik Sentinels will fit into the budget. And yes we're talking a single Ultra at this budget level which will surely push the performance envelope.

Check the sticky for multi-subs at the top of this forum.

 

[Patrukas777]

I would go SVS...Dual if possible. Im will be buying my 2nd Ultra in the next week or two. Great sound, great customer service, and great looking subs!

 

[m3maniac]

SVS Ultra or dual Epik Sentinels?

M3, how much are you looking to spend? Either of these subs will perform magnanimously in your 2400 cu. ft. room. Believe me, just one Plus alone performs well with plenty of output in my 3600 cu. ft. area. Now, if you'd like to consider a dual setup then perhaps dual Epik Sentinels will fit into the budget. And yes we're talking a single Ultra at this budget level which will surely push the performance envelope.

Check the sticky for multi-subs at the top of this forum.

So for my particluar set up with the Denon 4802 and room size which makes the most sense? About the same price. I guess the Infinity E250P is out as the second Sub, correct?

 

[bandphan]

I guess the Infinity E250P is out as the second Sub, correct?

Unless your will to spend alot of time EQing it, after mapping your rooms response.(additional purchases, time, ect) Id just sell it and apply the money towards the new purchase. IMO the Ultra would provide a nice experience for you without too much thought behind it.

 

[lsiberian]

So for my particluar set up with the Denon 4802 and room size which makes the most sense? About the same price. I guess the Infinity E250P is out as the second Sub, correct?

If it's in good shape then sell it on our classified area. If you need help sizing up it's value let me know.

For home theater 1 sub can work just fine in most home theaters if you plan to use the crawl test for placement. Placement is everything for subs.

I suggest getting the biggest sub allowed for home theater for the low effects. The Ultra would be an excellent choice IMO.

Don't plug the ports though.

My reasons
1. Low stuff isn't audible
2. Low stuff is already boosted by your room.
3. Upper bass is more important and far more common than the really low stuff.
4. Plugging them will cause chuffing for low frequencies

Someone here recently unplugged the ports and discovered it sounded better. Can't remember who, but it was someone with an SVS sub.

Make sure you get up some photos of your setup in our member systems gallery.

 

[mike c]

20hz and below really isn't audible. but it's definitely noticeable.

i can notice the difference between the top two lines of this chart:

the difference between those graphs are the db/octave slope of the same 15hz subsonic filter

 

[Gov]

I have a Phoenix and absolutely love the way it performs. I have never heard an Ultra 13, but I am sure the Phoenix can hold its own to it. In my experiences, the Phoenix will not bottom out, make weird noises or hiccup in any way. I can play basically anything I throw at it, at or near reference level and it still sounds excellent. Once the Phoenix gets to its limits it just stops getting louder and shows no other signs of distress. BTW, I have never heard any port noise either and I have thrown all the bass heavy Blu-rays at it. I cannot say enough about this subwoofer!