SVS sub choice - need help

[sgtpepper9]

I've decided that I want to get an SVS sub. I want to get one of the cylinder subs from their Plus line. I am wondering which I should get. They are all pretty similarly priced so that is not a concern. I would say that I listen to 80% music, 20% movies. I like it pretty loud but not loud enough to make you run out of the room. The music is mostly jazz and rock. Well guys, what do you think?

 

[croseiv]

Get the best one you can afford at the present time. Don't skimp too much cause you'll sit there and wish you hadn't later. If you want the most deepness, then you'll need the "biggest" one. i'd pick the PC Ultra...

 

[Alex at SVS]

Within the plus line the PC-Plus 20-39 is the most overall well balenced and has the smoothest response. It's the one I have in my setup and have used for a long time. Great sub.

What size of a room are you putting this in?

 

[mazersteven]

Alex,

Would you choose the PC-Plus 20-39 over the SB12-Plus?
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm

Or the PB12-NSD/2?
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-isd2.cfm

 

[Alex at SVS]

Both the PC-Plus and PB12-NSD/2 would completely DESTROY the SB12-Plus. Making a sub smaller really does demand cutting performance while jacking up the price at the same time. There really doesn't seem to be any way around it.

 

[sgtpepper9]

The room is about 14 ft wide by 17 ft deep. 10 ft ceilings and one side of the room opens up into the kitchen which is about 12 ft by 20 ft. I have to go with the cylinder instead of the box due to floor space constraints.

 

[Alex at SVS]

For that size room the PC-Plus 20-39 will be perfect for you.

 

[GlocksRock]

I have a pretty good sized living room that is wide open to the kitchen and dining room, and the 20-39 PC+ does a fantastic job of providing prodigous amounts of bass.

 

[sgtpepper9]

Would there be an extremely noticeable difference between the 20-39 and the ultra?

 

[mike c]

Would there be an extremely noticeable difference between the 20-39 and the ultra?

i can only compare the NSD12 and the Ultra ... but IMO even 2 NSD12's would get trampled by the Ultra.

 

[GlocksRock]

Would there be an extremely noticeable difference between the 20-39 and the ultra?

I don't know for sure, but I would be willing to bet that the answer is yes. The Ultra would probably have the output of about 2 20-39 PC+ and play lower.

 

[mazersteven]

Would there be an extremely noticeable difference between the 20-39 and the ultra?

IMO without a doubt there would be a noticeable difference.

Headroom

 

[Ron Temple]

The Ultra is roughly equal to the output of 2 Pluses and sounds appreciably better. If you've got the dough, it's a great choice, but as Alex stated, the 20-39+ is plenty for your room and it's an excellent sub too.

 

[Pyrrho]

I've decided that I want to get an SVS sub. I want to get one of the cylinder subs from their Plus line. I am wondering which I should get. They are all pretty similarly priced so that is not a concern. I would say that I listen to 80% music, 20% movies. I like it pretty loud but not loud enough to make you run out of the room. The music is mostly jazz and rock. Well guys, what do you think?

Buy the best one you can afford. If the Ultra is in your budget, buy it. Almost no one ever regrets buying a subwoofer that is better than it needs to be. But if you buy one that is not good enough, you will regret it.

If you are wanting to stay in the Plus line, then consider what the lowest frequencies are that you need, and buy the model that solidly does whatever those lowest frequencies are.

I personally own two SVS CS-Ultra subwoofers (these are the older 12" woofer Ultras, and are unpowered, so I use a separate power amplifier with them). They give me very solid bass, all the way down to below what I can hear (though I can feel those lower frequencies), and they can play quite loud without audible distortion. If I were buying a new subwoofer today, I would ask SVS if they ever plan on making an unpowered Ultra (as I like using a separate power amp). If not, I would buy their powered Ultra (after grumbling and complaining to them for not having an unpowered Ultra!). But since I am not about to buy a new subwoofer, they have no reason to accommodate me.

Anyway, buy the best one that is in your budget. If you buy a lessor one and later decide you need more bass, you will not, in the end, have saved any money, and will likely be out more money that way.

 

[crashkelly]

Get the best one you can afford at the present time. Don't skimp too much cause you'll sit there and wish you hadn't later. If you want the most deepness, then you'll need the "biggest" one. i'd pick the PC Ultra...

Do what he says, believe me!

I bought the 20-39+ cylinder and while I will never ever never never D) say I regret it as it is awesome, make that really awesome, at the time I bought it, I could have afforded the Ultra, now I wish I had.

I will always give kudos and praise to the one I bought, but now I do the "what if....?"

Cheers and no matter which SVS you get, you will love your SVS
Michael

P.S. Don't think because my sig says it is in a box, that I don't take it out and play with it when the wife goes out, the 20-39+ I mean

 

[sgtpepper9]

I have never heard a good sub for music, just home theater. Am I going to be blown away listening to music when I get one?

 

[Warpdrv]

I have never heard a good sub for music, just home theater. Am I going to be blown away listening to music when I get one?

It depends on which sub your looking at....

I can only express what I have read, thousands of times on the Ultra, but I can also quote my experience with the subs I have and had.

The Ultra has been stated to be excellent for music, because the driver is so accurate, tight and has little if any note overhang... it is also equally as good for HT.

I have had the PB12-Plus in my bedroom, and as it was good with music, it wasn't great for me... more distortion then I cared for but for movies it was spectacular. but it had a touch more note overhang then I wanted to match with my Paradigm Sigs. I sold it for a JL Audio Fathom F112. I love that sub, its superb for music. I couldn't be happier.

I also have Dual PB12- Plus/2's in my Great Room, and I love them for Movies, extremely impactful... they shake the hell out of things like you wouldn't believe. They like the Plus, also are good for music but I like a bit more of a controlled driver. Remember it depends greatly on what kind of music you like, if you like rap and all that bumpin stuff, any SVS sub will handle your needs with no problem, but if you like accurate controlled bass think about steppin up to the big boy... I will be replacing my Plus/2's with a excellent quality DIY sooner or later...

 

[speakerman39]

It depends on which sub your looking at....

I can only express what I have read, thousands of times on the Ultra, but I can also quote my experience with the subs I have and had.

The Ultra has been stated to be excellent for music, because the driver is so accurate, tight and has little if any note overhang... it is also equally as good for HT.

I have had the PB12-Plus in my bedroom, and as it was good with music, it wasn't great for me... more distortion then I cared for but for movies it was spectacular. but it had a touch more note overhang then I wanted to match with my Paradigm Sigs. I sold it for a JL Audio Fathom F112. I love that sub, its superb for music. I couldn't be happier.

I also have Dual PB12- Plus/2's in my Great Room, and I love them for Movies, extremely impactful... they shake the hell out of things like you wouldn't believe. They like the Plus, also are good for music but I like a bit more of a controlled driver. Remember it depends greatly on what kind of music you like, if you like rap and all that bumpin stuff, any SVS sub will handle your needs with no problem, but if you like accurate controlled bass think about steppin up to the big boy... I will be replacing my Plus/2's with a excellent quality DIY sooner or later...

Warp, once again you are giving very good advice here. This is one of the reasons why I usually read your posts. There are others here as well so no pun intended. If, I had the funds the Ultra would be mine in a NEW YORK minute. And, I know first hand just how awesome SVS's customer service is. These guys will go way out of their way just to make you happy by assisting the buyer in every possible way. In other words, SVS wants you to be happy with your purchase no matter what. Now that is service if you ask me.

 

[Warpdrv]

Warp, once again you are giving very good advice here. This is one of the reasons why I usually read your posts. There are others here as well so no pun intended. If, I had the funds the Ultra would be mine in a NEW YORK minute. And, I know first hand just how awesome SVS's customer service is. These guys will go way out of their way just to make you happy by assisting the buyer in every possible way. In other words, SVS wants you to be happy with your purchase no matter what. Now that is service if you ask me.

Thank you sir.... I just tell it like I hear it....

Ultimately everyone has their own opinion of how things should sound, and I really didn't have an opinion until I tried on these different types of subs...

Its nice to be able to sample some of the upper end products, the small but sonic differences make each one unique, and there definitely differences.

 

[speakerman39]

Thank you sir.... I just tell it like I hear it....

Ultimately everyone has their own opinion of how things should sound, and I really didn't have an opinion until I tried on these different types of subs...

Its nice to be able to sample some of the upper end products, the small but sonic differences make each one unique, and there definitely differences.

That is correct in that we all have our own ideas as to how a sub should sound. I have seen significant differences in the gear I have owned or still own. Most were minimal, but it is up to the individual to decide just how important those differences respective are. More or less, sooner or later, it is an acquired taste.