SVS Total harmonic distortion

[sweeppicker]

The SWS sounds amazing from the reviews. I'm no longer going the Def Tech Supercube route. Anways I noticed the THD on the SWSs approached 10% at higher SPLs. That sounds pretty high. But what do I know. Is that avg ? What is considered good ? I wannt clean bass but damn those SWS going deep.

 

[jaxvon]

I'm sure the DefTech gets up there too. Speakers have much higher distortion than any well-designed electronic component. BTW, are you talking about SVS?

 

[WmAx]

The SWS sounds amazing from the reviews. I'm no longer going the Def Tech Supercube route. Anways I noticed the THD on the SWSs approached 10% at higher SPLs. That sounds pretty high. But what do I know. Is that avg ? What is considered good ? I wannt clean bass but damn those SWS going deep.

10 percent[with a typical speaker's spectral distribution proportions] is about the threshold limit of very sensative listeners for THD for frequencies under 100Hz. The 10 percent rating you refer to would only occur at very high SPL, unless you have a very large room and/or use a poor placement position. Even then, the distortion would probably only occur for a very short time period, unlikely to be noticed. Modern high quality subwoofers such as those sold by B&W, SVS, etc. do not have THD problems. The thing to worry about is room placement and room acoustics. Want the very best bass quality? Add bass traps to your room and parametric equalization to your system.

-Chris

 

[sweeppicker]

OK cool. I meant to say SVS. From what I hear these subs have exceptional output. How youd you guys rate them in terms of articulation and speed ? And lastly, I'm thinking of getting the passive models and running them through a Mcintosh or Krell for cleaner amplification. Basically feed my Def Techs and SVS off a single amp. I think with these amps I can run two sets of speakers. How many watts would be ideal ? These are pretty powerful amps. Thanks.

 

[WmAx]

OK cool. I meant to say SVS. From what I hear these subs have exceptional output. How youd you guys rate them in terms of articulation and speed ?

You can not expect true useful replies concerning such subjective sighted listening expereiences performed without proper controls to create an accurate/fair testing environment. In reality, however, with a known high quality linear device such as the units you have proposed[as opposed to low quality non-linear devices], the 'articulation' and 'speed' is a function of the prior issues I mentioned along with the inherant frequency response of the subwoofer[which can be modified to sound just about like anything with sufficiently precision DSP equalization device and competant operation/setting of this device].

And lastly, I'm thinking of getting the passive models and running them through a Mcintosh or Krell for cleaner amplification. Basically feed my Def Techs and SVS off a single amp. I think with these amps I can run two sets of speakers. How many watts would be ideal ? These are pretty powerful amps. Thanks.

It is not proven to be useful to use an exotic amplifier; not for subwoofers or mains. I recommend a fanless professional [P.A.] amplifer from a reputable brand or an economically feasible high power amp such as those sold by Adcom[But PA amps are much lower cost, so I would recommend those first]. There is not reason to get a Krell or other exotic for 'sound'. However, pride of ownership or cosmetics are valid reasons for purchase. As for power rating: If you insist on using seperate amplifiers, I suggest an amplifier that is rated for the published maximum power input of the speakers or a little higher. However, even half rating of the maximum rated power input would be sufficient[that is only a 3db difference].

-Chris

 

[sweeppicker]

HI Chris,
While I have no exp with the subs I have auditioned the Krells and Mcintosh on my Def Techs. Compared to my Yamaha their was a noticeable difference in the sound quality. The Mcintosh sounded very smooth at high SPLs that my Yamaha could only dream of achieving. Also helped that the preamp was a McIntosh too. I think their is quite a difference in the sound quality. Wether its worth the dough is subjective. The beast weighed over 100 lbs !

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Basically feed my Def Techs and SVS off a single amp. I think with these amps I can run two sets of speakers. How many watts would be ideal ? These are pretty powerful amps. Thanks.

I'd recommend a separate amp for an SVS cylinder. I'd also recommend an eq if you're running a separate power amp to your sub. SVS suggests Crown equipment, but any type of pro-audio gear would work fine. Like Wmax said, fanless for noise purposes.

If you want to keep it simple, get the powered PB12 ISD/plus 2. Simple plug and play design, and will put out unheard of bass for the money. I'm a little partial to that sub from a summer trip to the SVS factory this past summer.

 

[WmAx]

HI Chris,
While I have no exp with the subs I have auditioned the Krells and Mcintosh on my Def Techs. Compared to my Yamaha their was a noticeable difference in the sound quality. The Mcintosh sounded very smooth at high SPLs that my Yamaha could only dream of achieving. Also helped that the preamp was a McIntosh too. I think their is quite a difference in the sound quality. Wether its worth the dough is subjective. The beast weighed over 100 lbs !

I have to inform you that the typical A/B comparisons undertaken by most consumers typically feature unfair conditions do not favor an unbiased outcome. Errors of the test probably included one or more of the following: (1) Failure to level match the amplifiers within 0.1dB of each other (2) Failure to quickly switch between devices (3) Failure to perform the test blinded, with no knowledge of the device under test -- sighted tests of similar items are highly probable to induce a psychological bias (4) Failure to produce an order and number of trials to be considered statistically significant that could be considered conclusive.

The only evaluations which may not require the above rules would be where the device has severe noticable differences such as audible noise/hiss, audible distortion/clipping or other such severe differences. In fact, if you heard a severe difference between the amps you specified, it would suggest that one or more of the products was defective/broken or purposely designed to be non-linear in response. However, I am not aware of any examples of the mentioned brands that have known non linear performance, therefor a defect/break would be far more probable in this case. Modern solid state equipment is usually linear[a few rare exceptions do exist that are purposeful deviations, essentially hardwired eq], and does not deviate enough in response to become audibly different according to credible perceptual research.

-Chris

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The Mcintosh sounded very smooth at high SPLs that my Yamaha could only dream of achieving.

It sounds like the Yamaha simply ran out of steam. How did they compare at low levels?

Pair up a Behringer parametric eq to a $350 pro amp, set the trims to your liking, and you'd probably never spend that kind of dough on a high end amp/pre amp again.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The SWS sounds amazing from the reviews. I'm no longer going the Def Tech Supercube route. Anways I noticed the THD on the SWSs approached 10% at higher SPLs. That sounds pretty high. But what do I know. Is that avg ? What is considered good ? I wannt clean bass but damn those SWS going deep.

Subs are tested to 10% distortion as the ear and perception at the low frequency band is forgiving to distortion, much more so than at the mid bands.

 

[sweeppicker]

The difference was less pronounced at lower levels. Not to sound snotty but I've done enough location sound recording to notice the sonic improvments with the higher end stuff. Theirs no way my DVCAMs preamp will capture sound as clean as a dedicated Grace Lunatec. Huge diff in S/N ratio, dynamics, etc. So from my own exp their is a difference with the high end equipment. My question is basically wether these higher end amps will drive these subs with any signicant performance boost ? Thanks

 

[WmAx]

Not to sound snotty but I've done enough location sound recording to notice the sonic improvments with the higher end stuff.

A common claim[high end equipment having a mysterious special quality; or do you propose a specific measured parameter to explain the difference(s)?], yet a claim never substantiated by the claimants. If something sounds different in reality[as opposed to imagined], it will show up in measurements. I often wonder why some people think their perceptions are immune to psychological biasing -- or at least that's how they[and you] seem to be presenting themselves. In addition, what one does or how often they do it does not make one immune to such biasing.

-Chris

 

[mtrycrafts]

. In addition, what one does or how often they do it does not make one immune to such biasing.-Chris

I had a master plumber with decades of experience and instructing classes spew out bs. Nothing new.

 

[sweeppicker]

Thats interesting.
With you reasoning recording studios should buy their gear from Radio Shack because nobody will percieve the difference in sound quality ?

 

[WmAx]

Thats interesting.
With you reasoning recording studios should buy their gear from Radio Shack because nobody will percieve the difference in sound quality ?

Last Radio Shack recording device I tried[a mixer] had audible noise problems in normal use. I would not think this would be acceptable for professional recording applications. However, I have tried some dead silent recent model Behringer mixers that should be suitable for the application; these are low cost units. Then you have to consider servicability/reliability, which is another matter apart from sound. As far as the statement about sound quality, frankly, most current commercial recordings such as those released by the major labels sound like dog piss. The 1 or 2 million dollar inventory in those studios did not seem to do much good...

-Chris

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

My question is basically wether these higher end amps will drive these subs with any signicant performance boost ?

You would have to compare the specs on the amps. If you have no other use for the Mac/Krell amps, by all means use them to power an SVS. If you don't own a Mac/Krell amp, don't waste your money powering a subwoofer. The biggest improvement would be your subwoofer placement, as well as properly eq'ing the sub to the room.

Keep in mind SVS's philosophy is bang for the buck, and Krell/Mac don't exactly fit that pattern. That's why they sell the Crown K series amp on their website, and not a $7500 esoteric amp with similar specs. There is little need for class a/b operation with subwoofers.

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/ampeq.htm