SVS SBS-01 System - 4 Ohms?? Don't Think So...

[avliner]

I was googling' round to cross-check data between the SBS-01 and the new HSU HB -1 (horn loaded) and saw at Sound & Vision site that they've also reviewed the SVS SBS-01 system (with the PB-12SW, not the PB-10).

Much to my surprise, they've mentioned on the Full Lab Results the following:

IMPEDANCE (minimum / nominal):

L / R / Surrounds = 2.5 / 4 Ohms
Center = 3.2 / 4 Ohms

Furthermore, they also mention:

The SBS-01 has an unusually low impedance characteristic, remaining under 4 ohms from 100 to 500 Hz and above 3 kHz. The SCS-01 also has relatively low impedance, but not as low as its left/right/surround brother.

Have re-checked both reviews (here, at AH and at SVS site) and the nominal impedance for all speakers is 8 Ohms.
Sorry S&V, but I trust much more on AH and SVS numbers...

Any comments on that ?

Cheers.

 

[MDS]

I saw the same 4 ohm comment and was surprised too.

The S&V article though does mention that it is 4 ohm in a given frequency range. All speakers dip above and below their 'nominal' impedance so I don't know what to make of it.

I'd like to know how the nominal impedance is calculated because if you look at any impedance vs frequency graph you'll see the impedance go all over the place and for me at least it's hard to look at such a graph and conclude 'that is an 8 ohm nominal speaker'.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, you also have the fact that they don't actually draw a ton of current - despite the low sensitivity and regardless of the impedance curve they didn't seem hard to drive at all.

 

[avliner]

You're both right guys,

so far, we haven't heard anybody complaining about'em being a hard-to-drive speakers set, right? From this point of view, we can say for sure they're all 8 Ohms rated. In other hand, the S&V guys have been very specifics in regard to the low impedance found on bench tests, though ( 2.5 - 4 Ohms, being 4 Ohms the nominal impedance... really weird, isn't it?).

Let's wait for some more opinions though.

Cheers.

 

[j_garcia]

You're both right guys,

so far, we haven't heard anybody complaining about'em being a hard-to-drive speakers set, right? From this point of view, we can say for sure they're all 8 Ohms rated. In other hand, the S&V guys have been very specifics in regard to the low impedance found on bench tests, though ( 2.5 - 4 Ohms, being 4 Ohms the nominal impedance... really weird, isn't it?).

Let's wait for some more opinions though.

Cheers.

My speakers are 4 Ohm and their range is 2.6 min to 4, so sounds about right. Perhaps they are 4 Ohm and SVS reported the 8 Ohm equivalent, which might account for the low sensitivity rating since you lose 3dB (?) going from 4 Ohm rating to 8 Ohm (half the power).

Paradigm also calls the Studios 8 Ohm "compatible" but a curve showed one of them dipping to 2.3 Ohms lower in the bass region. They are a bit more current hungry than the typical 8 Ohm speaker IMO too.

Since they aren't tough to drive, I wouldn't think a 4 Ohm rating would harm their sales. SVS has also said that they don't require heavy duty amplification to drive sufficiently. Also, up to a point, you can pump a higher level of current into a lower sensitivity speaker to get the SPL up. I find that low sensitivity speakers really benefit from a ton of power and that they like to be driven hard. SVS said they were testing them with 200wpc amps...

 

[BabelFish]

This just came out about the SCS-01!!

Tuesday, 03 March, 2007: SCS-01 Mains Packages

 

[MDS]

Just read the SVS news myself. It gives me hope that the forthcoming MTS-01 will not be a large bookshelf configuration like the new SCS-01M system.

My idea of a 'mid-tower' system is a floorstanding speaker about 33"-36" tall, not an oversized bookshelf.

 

[Rowdy S13]

This just came out about the SCS-01!!

Tuesday, 03 March, 2007: SCS-01 Mains Packages

Good info, and I just noticed youre from my neck of the woods

Sean

 

[hemiram]

This just came out about the SCS-01!!

Tuesday, 03 March, 2007: SCS-01 Mains Packages

That's great! I've played around with my SCS-01 hooked up as a front L/F speaker just for grins and I like the sound of it a lot. I'm going to get a pair of them soon, and move my SBS-01 fronts to the rear. To me, the SBS's are just a tad too small for front speakers when playing music loudly, and the SCS's should solve that problem, and the better low end will make it easier to blend the sub into everything.


Then it's time to save up for a new sub to replace my junky Sony.

 

[BabelFish]

Good info, and I just noticed youre from my neck of the woods

Sean

Where are you located in the forest?

 

[j_garcia]

The news article is new, but they have been selling them like that for a little while already, even offered the package like that for over a month - I noticed it when I was recommending them for a friend, and someone else had mentioned they were turning the tweeters.

 

[tonay]

I just got SCS-01 as fronts/mains today w/ a matching center and a PB12 nsd/2. I'm very happy with the sound following limited play before my son fell asleep. The front/mains do have the tweeter rotated for vertical alignment and the grill logo is repositioned.

I really need to but some hours on them but out of the box - I'm happy.