SVS SBS-01 Speaker System Review

[silversurfer]

It appears you are pushing the TN series HSU as having better sound quality over the SVS cylinder series. If you prefer them over SVS, then I cannot argue your point. I have only visited the SVS factory, so it's not fair that I am comparing them to HSU. Maybe you've had the opportunity to visit both.

Do the TN series have the ability to plug ports, and further adjust the tunability of the subs? Would that qualify as a design improvement?

Now you want to bring up port plugging and tuneability. Do your research and let me know who did that first. In regards to the TN, there was no need for the variable tune, it had a long 4" port with plenty of output and the ability to play deep with no port noise.

Did I say I preferred either? No. I am just saying get your facts straight.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Now you want to bring up port plugging and tuneability. Do your research and let me know who did that first. In regards to the TN, there was no need for the variable tune, it had a long 4" port with plenty of output and the ability to play deep with no port noise.

Did I say I preferred either? No. I am just saying get your facts straight.

Isn't this your real question - "Anyways, why is it that SVS, with such a strong following, is the only internet direct company that doesn't have its own forum tied to its own domain?"

Why do you think they lack their own forum? I'm sure you already have an answer.

 

[shokhead]

I've read this thread with some amusement at how heated this has all gotten. I have been frustrated and disappointed with this website for some time. When I first chanced upon it, I was very excited by the information provided, reviews, etc. Over time I have visited less frequently because there haven't been as many reviews or the same companies keep getting reviewed.

I have for some time read about the big beef between SVS and HSU. I'm not going to even say I know all of the details of that situation, but it is fairly apparent that SVS isn't the most honorable of companies. Would that have stopped me from buying their product, no. But a few things have happened lately regarding SVS that has made me sick of them.

One is the ongoing SVS vs. HSU debate and how aggressive the owner is in defending his product. Maybe a bit too involved? I can't remember the last time I've seen someone from HSU stoop to the level that he has. Then I happened to be checking out the Maestro sub. oh look, their sub has the same baseplate design as the SVS series. I can't imagine that SVS came up with that design. Now maybe I'm wrong, but given the bad press SVS receives, I doubt it. Lastly, I purchased the SMS-1 to tune my sub... which is not an HSU sub. In the process of getting technical information on the product, I had a good conversation with a gentleman regarding the sub industry. Without going into great detail, he told me that HSU puts out a great product and is a decent guy and that SVS had ripped off a lot of features and what not from HSU. My guess is that is why they have been so secret about information regarding their upcoming products, etc. Understand I had simply mentioned wanting to purchase a sub but not from his company.
Here is a guy with a ton of years of experience in the sub industry not speaking so highly of another company. Was he bashing SVS, I didn't think so, just mentioned some stuff that anybody who knows the sub industry would probably know.

So let me ask all of you this... what improvements/innovations has SVS brought/made to the sub market? Other than sourcing parts from other outfits and putting them together, what have they done to make a truly great sub? I'm not sure high SPL's make for a great sub. As for musicality, I noticed there was a large push on this topic in the last year.

Lastly, I do feel the review wasn't up to par with the usual reviews I've seen. It was unfair to attack the reviewer as I did and for that I apologize. I do not think that what I said about SVS is untrue because there is a plethorea of information out there that supports what I am saying. I guess it comes down to this... if you had your choice of two sub comanies would you purchase from one that isn't as ethical or honest?

I dont know where to start with so much garbage so i wont but i do have a question? When you buy a HSU Sub, do they supply crying towels? When you get a few more then 4 posts then i might take you more seriously. If i've said it once,i've said it a million times, SVS and HSU both make good subs but HSU fans just wont except that as by your statements.

 

[silversurfer]

Isn't this your real question - "Anyways, why is it that SVS, with such a strong following, is the only internet direct company that doesn't have its own forum tied to its own domain?"

Why do you think they lack their own forum? I'm sure you already have an answer.

Actually, it is marketing. Spread your following out to many forums to market for you rather than in a centralized location.

There are other questions in my posts that you haven't answered.

 

[silversurfer]

I dont know where to start with so much garbage so i wont but i do have a question? When you buy a HSU Sub, do they supply crying towels? When you get a few more then 4 posts then i might take you more seriously. If i've said it once,i've said it a million times, SVS and HSU both make good subs but HSU fans just wont except that as by your statements.

shokhead, I may not agree with how jongaro has stated his case, but I do agree that it is all out on the internet for those to research.

As for your "crying towel" comment, it was funny, but I think the same thing goes for SVS fans with "defensive aggression".

 

[jongaro]

i'm not debating whether or not they make good subs, but rather the business ethics that go into bringing a product to market. i don't think the number of posts indicates credibility.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The issue right now with HSU is that they do not offer the upper end subs SVS does. If you have $1000 to $2500 to spend on a high end sub, HSU doesn't fit the bill. They have decided to go for the sub $700 market - which is not an issue. They've done their homework and found they can sell more boxes at the 300-700 price range, while SVS offers subs from 430-2300+. Does HSU have bigger and better subs coming out - sure. But if you want something right now, just go to the website and see whats available.

 

[silversurfer]

The issue right now with HSU is that they do not offer the upper end subs SVS does. If you have $1000 to $2500 to spend on a high end sub, HSU doesn't fit the bill. They have decided to go for the sub $700 market - which is not an issue. They've done their homework and found they can sell more boxes at the 300-700 price range, while SVS offers subs from 430-2300+. Does HSU have bigger and better subs coming out - sure. But if you want something right now, just go to the website and see whats available.

Agreed, Hsu's offerings are limited right now, but it looks like they are going to go to more expensive things in the future. Once again, that doesn't support your post of SVS improving a design or being better.

In terms of SQ, doing research, there are those that have heard subs from both companies and say that the Hsus compete with higher priced SVS's. This is in SQ, not output.

 

[shokhead]

I'm abit confused. Looking at the HSU forums the sub owners for the most part say SVS owners bashing HSU subs in the forums but in the forums i'm in it is for the most part SVS owners telling non-sub owners to try both and then an HSU owner comes in and bashs SVS so i'm confused whats what. Maybe i'm in the only forums that are like that. Anyway back to the review,isnt anyone concerned by the low sesitivity of the speakers?

 

[Tomorrow]

I'm abit confused. Looking at the HSU forums the sub owners for the most part say SVS owners bashing HSU subs in the forums but in the forums i'm in it is for the most part SVS owners telling non-sub owners to try both and then an HSU owner comes in and bashs SVS so i'm confused whats what. Maybe i'm in the only forums that are like that. Anyway back to the review,isnt anyone concerned by the low sesitivity of the speakers?

Shokhead....your bias is showing again. Pull down that skirt, LOL.

 

[shokhead]

I dont understand the HSU and SVS wars. I dont tell anybody to get something because i have it,only what i have has worked for me. I'm big on not buying more then you need.

 

[Manic Miner]

Hi, I've now read the review a few times, and I have a couple of questions.

You say that the music performance of the package is average, but yet you give it 4 1/4 stars for music performance, in other words "above average" where 3 stars is average?

As a former PB10 owner I can only speak for the sub, and in my ears there is nothing average about its musical abilities. When I bought the PB10 it was my 6th sub in less then 3 years, each of them costing somewhere in between the price of the PB10, and twice its price. Of those subs the PB10 shared the top spot with the Infinity Kappa Sub when it came to music, but with a nod to the PB10 when it came to reproducing bass like in the "Gladiator" soundtrack.

So my question is, when you say that you experienced some hang, was that compared to your EP500, or other subs in the PB10s price class?

All in all it was a great review, hope you can find the time to answer my questions

Thomas

 

[surveyor]

Thanks for the review Tom (OPRA)!
It was interesting.
Keep the chin up, and you did a good Job.

Cheers,

Surveyor

 

[Tom Andry]

I've had plenty to do over the holidays so I'm only now able to peruse this thread. Let me address a few of the questions raised:

Tom,
Concerning music performance, is it safe to say that you prefer your Axiom system over the new SVS speakers?
A large percentage of music listening and the WAF have me leaning towards an Axiom system with M22ti mains. Then agian, you are getting the 5 SVS speakers for about the same price as a pair of Axiom M22's so it probably isn't a fair comparison.

You are right, it isn't a fair comparison. The Axiom's are quite a bit more than the SVS (especially if you spring for the EP500) though if music is your preference, it may be money well spent.

Just a few questions.

1) What size is your room?

2) You mentioned a "hole" when listening to music. Could you elaborate on what frequencies were missing, or was that just some muddy bass? I would have assumed with such small drivers and a large box, there may be some upper bass/lower midrage Hz missing.

3) You mentioned there was some distortion when playing the system at high volumes. Was this from the tweeters breaking up? Is your system set flat or eq'd leaning towards a bit more sibalance (or less since you're Axioms are a bit more "bright")?

1) about 12 by 15

2) I'm not seeing where I said anything about a "hole". The hold over referred to is from the sub notes lasting longer than they should and running into the next note. I only noticed this during music and only with extremely fast bass.

3) Yes and Flat

I will not deny that I was hoping for a bit more in-depth coverage of the subwoofer, as big of a deal as AH members make of the sub, but maybe we'll get more coverage of that at some point. *hopes* But overall, I thought it gave a pretty good idea of what it was like to have them sitting in the room.

Gellor, I agree. I even tried to fit the sub in the car for our trip to my in-laws who live fairly close to Gene. Short of leaving my son (or wife I suppose) home, it just wasn't working. Plus, Gene was in the process of moving and there was no way he could have tested it even if I had gotten it down there. Still, I tried.

1) You say that the music performance of the package is average, but yet you give it 4 1/4 stars for music performance, in other words "above average" where 3 stars is average?

2) As a former PB10 owner I can only speak for the sub, and in my ears there is nothing average about its musical abilities. When I bought the PB10 it was my 6th sub in less then 3 years, each of them costing somewhere in between the price of the PB10, and twice its price. Of those subs the PB10 shared the top spot with the Infinity Kappa Sub when it came to music, but with a nod to the PB10 when it came to reproducing bass like in the "Gladiator" soundtrack.

3) So my question is, when you say that you experienced some hang, was that compared to your EP500, or other subs in the PB10s price class?

1) Average in comparison with its movie performance (other column). Using one word descriptors are always hard, I go into more detail in the review.

2) Every room and every ear is different. The PB10 is a great sub.

3) I was comparing it to the EP500 (which I stated is an unfair comparison). I've heard nothing at $400 that compares to it.

 

[Manic Miner]

Thanks Tom. English isn't my first language, so I may have missed some of the finer points in your review

Did you by any chance take some pictures of the insides of the speakers?

 

[Tom Andry]

Thanks Tom. English isn't my first language, so I may have missed some of the finer points in your review

Did you by any chance take some pictures of the insides of the speakers?

I took about 50 pics of the speakers, inside and out though they didn't seem to make in into the article. I'll try to get more posted into the body of the review soon. The second pic on the first page is the inside of the sub.

 

[silversurfer]

Anyway back to the review,isnt anyone concerned by the low sesitivity of the speakers?

shok, I didn't realize it was 85dB 1w/1m. That is lower than the other internet direct speakers that I feel they compete with.

I think it should be a concern for those thinking about buying them..yes. What kind of money on amplification do you think a buyer of $900-$1000 speaker/sub setup would spend? $500?

 

[Nick250]

shok, I didn't realize it was 85dB 1w/1m. That is lower than the other internet direct speakers that I feel they compete with.

I think it should be a concern for those thinking about buying them..yes. What kind of money on amplification do you think a buyer of $900-$1000 speaker/sub setup would spend? $500?

$500 +- seems like a good amount to budget for a receiver in your price range. Assuming you are not buying the SVS package that is. That 85 db rating would scare me off of them. It would seem that one would have to spend too much on amplfication for them and throw the speaker/receiver cost ratio out of wack. That is to say if you had to budget more for a receiver to drive the SVS package you are actually better off taking that extra money and put into better speakers and keep to the $500 budgeted for your receiver.

 

[MacManNM]

I wouldn't let that 85db scare you, this is a true 1w/1m measurement. A lot of companies these days are rating their speakers 2.83v/1m, which can be quite a bit different. Besides these speakers are designed for smaller rooms where power requirements will be much less.

 

[gene]

I wouldn't let that 85db scare you, this is a true 1w/1m measurement. A lot of companies these days are rating their speakers 2.83v/1m, which can be quite a bit different.

Huh? If the speaker is 8 ohms, than 1 watt/meter is equivalent to saying 2.83V/meter. If however the speaker is 4 ohms and the rating is 2.83V/meter than the speaker is being driven by 2 watts instead of one watt so you must scale back the rating 3dB to compare apples to apples.