SVS PC13 Ultra or SB13 Ultra?

[jnboone]

Divorcing so room size can't be defined. 80/20 movies/music. Denon 4520ci, Aperion Verus Grand Towers, Center, and Bookshelves. Number one concern is sound, number two is aesthetics. Have teenagers so I assume sound levels will be on the higher end of things - and I like them pretty loud myself! Suggestions/advice???

 

[Adam]

Hi. Here is a thread where I compare those two, including a video that shows the two side-by-side for a size comparison.

IMO, both are great subs. At my listening levels, I really couldn't tell a difference. After owning the PC13-Ultra for five years before trying the SB13-Ultra, I was blown away by how similar the SB13-U sounded in such a small package.

How big is your listening area?

 

[jnboone]

Thanks! I read your review before I posted my question. Right now my room is 15 by 25 w/ 8' ceilings, but I'm sure I will move and have no idea what will truly be home. The difference in size def makes me lean toward the SB, but my biggest concern is having a system where it is a blast for my kids to enjoy movies. I want them to feel the sub. From all I've read the SB is great (have found more reviews loving it than the PC), but there are some tracks it either struggled with or could not produce. I just don't want to regret. Can't afford to order both and choose.

At the end of your review you said you were going to run both subs together. When I talked to SVS they suggested not putting the PC with the SB. How is that working for you? Ultimately I will probably add a second sub, but it will be a while before that happens.

 

[Adam]

When I talked to SVS they suggested not putting the PC with the SB. How is that working for you? Ultimately I will probably add a second sub, but it will be a while before that happens.

Maybe they suggested that to keep the PC from feeling jealous.

I think it works fine, but I honestly haven't gone through the effort to fully characterize it. I installed both shortly after doing that review, and I did take several measurements, but I was kind of burned out after spending all of the time moving both around and doing measurements for that review. I guess seeing as how it's been almost two years, I should be rested by now. I should get back to doing that.

I'm glad that you've talked with SVS, as that was going to be one of my suggestions. One great thing about them is that you have 45 days to decide if you want something (with free shipping both ways). You could always double check with them first, but I don't think they'd be too bothered if you ordered both to do your own audition.

 

[lsiberian]

You can't miss on this choice. Either way you get a great sub. I'd probably go with the sb myself. It's much easier to move and has plenty for a home theater setup. The PC13 is really overkill for most people.

 

[mike c]

the pc is easier to move

 

[TheWarrior]

Get which ever one she won't want!

 

[billy p]

Well I see you edited your OP to reflect your decision...the SB13U certainly would've been my choice.

 

[mike c]

Divorcing so room size can't be defined. 80/20 movies/music. Denon 4520ci, Aperion Verus Grand Towers, Center, and Bookshelves. Number one concern is sound, number two is aesthetics. Have teenagers so I assume sound levels will be on the higher end of things - and I like them pretty loud myself! Suggestions/advice???

have you, as man and wife, really considered all the options?

sorry, i couldn't resist. was jk.

get both, be happy

 

[jnboone]

Actually I decided quite a while ago to go with the SB. Now that I'm about to pull the trigger I'm questioning myself. Wish I had the cash to just order both and pick, but alas I've been getting divorced for almost two years and just now able to purchase everything. My Aperions just arrived today. Hopefully the Denon will be here Friday. Now that I can see the Grand Towers in my living room I don't think I'd mind the appearance of the PC. The guy at SVS said I would be giving up more in movies with the SB than I would be giving up in music with the PC. Does anybody own a SB that has regretted not getting one of the ported's? I cannot see buying the PB not knowing I will be living here any length of time, so it's definitely either the SB or the PC. It certainly appears that the SB's are more popular - not that I care about popularity contests. Gonna have to wait a month to have the cash. Still seeking wisdom!!!

Mike - I've learned a lot. It takes two people to screw it up and two people to fix it. The only person I can fix is me. You can't deal reasonably with unreasonable people. You can't deal honestly with dishonest people. If one person decides to make it a mess the other can just buckle up and get ready to go along for the ride. You can either go insane or just choose to laugh at the insanity. I've learned to laugh. The biggest lesson is that if I have no expectations then I cannot get disappointed (stopped me from going ballistic at the stupidity). The greatest decision I made was after someone told me "you can either go through divorce or grow through divorce". I choose to grow. This whole AV setup idea came from something someone else told me. He said when he had very little money the only thing he spent it on was something that created time with his kids. I've got 4 (15-21). I asked them all, and the only thing we all have in common is we love to watch movies. Made that part of the decision process easy. I don't have any furniture in my bedroom, but I've got the rest of my life to buy that. My kids will only be here for a short while longer.

Actually, we all like roller coasters too, but I can't afford one just yet

 

[Basshead81]

I would go PC13 in a room that size...especially if 80% of your listening will be movies.

 

[mike c]

i always advise people:

51% movies = PC/PB
51% music = SB

why don't you try the 45 day free trial from SVS? get both, keep one.

 

[PENG]

i always advise people:

51% movies = PC/PB
51% music = SB

why don't you try the 45 day free trial from SVS? get both, keep one.

Even if one uses the sub 75/25 music/movies and if weight, size, cost ($400) WAF are not an issue then wouldn't it be a no brainer to just go with a PC/PB since one can plug the PB for music if (only if) one finds it makes enough difference? From all the measurements I have seen so far the SB only beats the PB by 1 to 2 dB in the range between around 35 to 80 Hz and no one had said the sealed PB would sound as taut/tight as a real sealed sub.

As you know it was a tough decsion for me too but in my case I had concern with the PB/PC's the weight (PB) and size, otherwise it would have been PB or PC right from start. Thanks for you help from the other thread but still would like your response to my specific question above.

 

[mike c]

Even if one uses the sub 75/25 music/movies and if weight, size, cost ($400) WAF are not an issue then wouldn't it be a no brainer to just go with a PC/PB since one can plug the PB for music if (only if) one finds it makes enough difference? From all the measurements I have seen so far the SB only beats the PB by 1 to 2 dB in the range between around 35 to 80 Hz and no one had said the sealed PB would sound as taut/tight as a real sealed sub.

As you know it was a tough decsion for me too but in my case I had concern with the PB/PC's the weight (PB) and size, otherwise it would have been PB or PC right from start. Thanks for you help from the other thread but still would like your response to my specific question above.

plugging the PC or PB will give more extension than the SB (due to the larger enclosure), but IMO, it is also this large enclosure (or rather, the small enclosure of the SB) that gives the different sound of the SB, e.g. midbass punch, "sealed distortion", etc.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Divorcing so room size can't be defined.

I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[agarwalro]

jnboone, I went through something similar last year. I walked away from a $5K setup because it was easier. As you can see from my signature, I'm well on the way to full recovery and living the good life now .

 

[jnboone]

Thanks guys! If we settled today I'd walk away with nothing but debt, but it's all good. I'm very blessed. I think I'm just going to go with the PB - now I sound like a woman! It does take up more floor space, but I think visually it is less distracting than the height of the PC (which will be taller than my towers).

I greatly appreciate all the help and the kind words!! Now I'll just need help trying to figure out how to get everything dialed in, but that's a problem for another day.