SVS PB13 ULTRA purchase?

[novisnick]

First world problems can be a great blessing,,,,,,,,,,,,and so is the free market!! 

I would strongly advise a set of subs verses a single sub. For better dispersion and control. To me, two lesser subs will outperform a single sub any day of the week, and tomorrow, twice as much!!   he,,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,,,, 

[Porscheguy]

I have a SVS PB-12 Plus and it does a great job filling my (very large) room with all the bass i will ever need and it's not even the Ultra which is even more wicked. One is plenty for almost all applications, and there are a dozen quality brands - buy the one you like.

It's alway problematic when asking these types of questions because it's mostly opinions and everyone has one

[vneal]

The SVS makes fine sub woofers and as mentioned above so do a dozen other manufacturers. You can listen to the opinions a few(not necessarily bad) or listen to a half a dozen top brands. Why consider only one brand? It takes work but this way you make your decision not theirs. I also agree that two almost always sound better. Your system is more balanced, your amps work less as do your speakers. For me JL Audio makes the best at every price point. Happy hunting.

Here are some trade reviews:
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjki_G0qcfJAhXLo4MKHXkHC9kQFggtMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stereophile.com%2Fcategory%2Fsubwoofer-reviews&usg=AFQjCNF6I9plpFVKlGvIbNXt9yjBK84_3A


www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjki_G0qcfJAhXLo4MKHXkHC9kQFgg0MAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stereophile.com%2Fcontent%2F2015-recommended-components-subwoofers&usg=AFQjCNGTq9we9nUEBWcBWeFJCEfZpkHkrg

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjxr9LDqsfJAhXyqIMKHdfGAI8QFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theabsolutesound.com%2Farticles%2F%3Fcategories%3D6&usg=AFQjCNFBnobkTziVPpcTG52JcWe4OK9TJQ&bvm=bv.108538919,d.amc

The Absolute sound link has an excellent article talking about the pros and cons of sub woofers. Basically concluding that their are a few brands of the hundreds that usually get it right. SVS & JL Audio are two of those brands

[MusicHead]

Have a look at the Rythmik FV15HP:

www.rythmikaudio.com/FV15HP.html

I believe it is the one more comparable to the Ultra. Their servo technology is intriguing.

I have the L12 (sealed) and very happy with it.

[Porscheguy]

JL makes great products for sure, but they are expensive and part of that is due to the fact that you have to buy it (and Revel, Velodyne and Paradigm along with others) from a middleman (or dealer). Many times, (not always) the factory direct products are a better value and the quality is commensurate or better.

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2015 8:29:31 GMT -5 MusicHead said:

Have a look at the Rythmik FV15HP:

www.rythmikaudio.com/FV15HP.html

I believe it is the one more comparable to the Ultra. Their servo technology is intriguing.

I have the L12 (sealed) and very happy with it.

I've heard the rythmik and the Svs. I definitely preferred the Rythmik. Seemed more effortless.
Checkout
www.data-bass.com/home
It's got actual measurements of most of the top brands.
I'm not a huge believer in the servo tech, I think it's more of a marketing gimmick but that's just my simpleton opinion.

[wiskers]

Check out HSU subs
www.hsuresearch.com/

[MusicHead]

Dec 6, 2015 11:45:51 GMT -5 fattykidd said:

Dec 6, 2015 8:29:31 GMT -5 MusicHead said:

Have a look at the Rythmik FV15HP:

www.rythmikaudio.com/FV15HP.html

I believe it is the one more comparable to the Ultra. Their servo technology is intriguing.

I have the L12 (sealed) and very happy with it.

I've heard the rythmik and the Svs. I definitely preferred the Rythmik. Seemed more effortless.
Checkout
www.data-bass.com/home
It's got actual measurements of most of the top brands.
I'm not a huge believer in the servo tech, I think it's more of a marketing gimmick but that's just my simpleton opinion.

There is no question that any given company wants to differentiate themselves and tends to advertise their technology as "the one".

Having said that, I believe servo applied to subs has its own merit and Rythmik has found a way to make it affordable, if nothing else. All of their subs, even my humble L12, has servo. Rythmik web site has several pages about their technology, including measurements on the same driver with or without servo circuit.

Of course at the end it comes down to trust. Overall, I tend to trust more the claims of smaller or ID companies. They do not have the marketing machine (and budget...) of the big guns. Combine that with the generous trial and return conditions and they simply would not survive if their claims were too far fetched.

Both SVS and Rythmik are reputable companies with proven track record in performance and value. Hard to go wrong with either one. They might use different recipes, but they both get very good results.

[jjkessler]

I have the svs 12 ultra as well and could not be happier. If I turn it up, I can shake the entire house with the right content (rumble of thunder or earthquake from BluRay)

My room is 20 x 40 x 9h. I use it as 50:50 mix of HT and 2 channel. In HT mode, I have 7 XPA-1L with my XMC-1, Sony projector onto a 120" screen with all Axiom speakers
M80 main, vp180 center, and 4 QS-8 for surround duty. I'm using a single SVS Pb-12 Ultra and am plenty happy.

I use a project debut with Orfton 2M black cartridge and speed controller turntable is my go to 2 channel source. My SVS seems to be a workhorse and I would not change it. Only thing left is to run Dirac and dial in the room.

[guzz46]

One of the best things about the SVS PB/PC Ultra's is their flexibility, you have the choice of running them in 20hz, 16hz, or sealed tunes, with the PC you also have the option of standing it up or laying it down on its side.

[MusicHead]

Dec 6, 2015 19:16:40 GMT -5 guzz46 said:

One of the best things about the SVS PB/PC Ultra's is their flexibility, you have the choice of running them in 20hz, 16hz, or sealed tunes, with the PC you also have the option of standing it up or laying it down on its side.

Just for the sake of proper comparison, it is worth to mention that the FV15HP can be tuned with one or two ports. It also has electronic bass extension controls AND Parametric EQ:

www.rythmikaudio.com/FV15HP_specs.html

They are extending the multi-sub discount to single sub purchase (the black oak finish), which makes for $1,200 + shipping. If you want a sub in this class, I think it is a steal at this price.

Just to be clear, I have no connection with Rythmik. I am just a very happy customer who learned about them through this forum and believes they deserve more visibility.

Isn't it great to have all these choices??!!  

[wizardofoz]

had my SVS PB13U for about 7 years I think...at least 6 anyway and still going strong...using the older BASH amp but gives great results.

[garbulky]

I reccomend dual subs. A better sound stagein my opinion. A set of dual PSA XS-15 would sound really good.

[klinemj]

Dec 6, 2015 0:12:50 GMT -5 thatcher said:

Considering purchasing the SVS PB13-Ultra.

The question is is there a better option for the cost along with any pros and cons?

Also have considered the PSA 3600i and the V1800.

There's so many choices that create a tough decision LOL...

All advice from the experienced Lounge Family will be greatly appreciated!

How big is your room? Is your focus movies, music, or evenly split? Do you tend to play it really loud or just typical moderate listening volumes?

Mark

[novisnick]

"How big is your room? Is your focus movies, music, or evenly split? Do you tend to play it really loud or just typical moderate listening volumes?

Mark"

Woe my friend!!! Mark, you must be on the wrong forum,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"just typical moderate listening lolumes?",,,,,,,,,where did that come from.?  ,,,,,,,,,,,,you MUST mean some other forum,,,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,,,he,,,,,,,      

[sheetmetalworker]

Listen to a PSA s3000i if you can. It's really all the Sub you need. I paired it with a DSPeaker anti mode. It replaced 4 Subwoofers with 6 10" drivers. It's a ligitamate subwoofer with excellent bass.

[wizardofoz]

Tim at PSA can advise you too...he used to be at svs iirc and now has his own company.

He even frequents our local hifi forum in Singapore.

[Deleted]

I would limit my choices to the online direct brands for the best bang for the buck.  SVS, Rythmik, PSA and HSU all need to be considered.  If you call one, I would call all of them and hear their pitch before making a final choice.  Be sure to offer your room situation with all 3 dimensions, room treatments, etc.  I would try one sub before buying a second sub and only if all possible locations with one sub fail to fulfill your low bass performance requirements.  This is particularly true if you have mainly one sweet spot seat.  If you have multiple seating locations then two subs might be an improvement and worth the additional costs.

[Deleted]

Dec 7, 2015 20:53:31 GMT -5 thatcher said:

Hello folks,
My room is roughly 4000^3 +/-
However I do tend to listen music somewhat loud occasionally while home alone LOL... 50/50 for use would be a fair assessment.
PSA recommend the V1800i which is being considered also noted to steer away from sealed units with the exception of the S3600i.

Have a look at this too..

reaction-audio.myshopify.com/collections/subwoofers/products/echo-18?variant=1107637857

[Deleted]

Dec 8, 2015 0:38:23 GMT -5 thatcher said:

fattykidd, The Reaction Echo 18 has three inches of excursion.
What do you think about my choices along with this new addition and which would be your choice?
To me the available numbers (didn't notice any for the Echo 18) point to Rythmik and closely by SVS.
I appreciate your experience and valued input. I had planned on a DIY with my spare XPA-1 G2 but for the associated cost plus the XPA-1 I should be able to purchase a well built unit.
Thanks for this additional choice...

I would DEFINITELY go with one of the 18" choices. I use 4 18's in a 3500 cu ft room.
I have a friend who has dual pb13's and I have a friend with a rythmik fv15hp paired with a Jtr captivator.
My system crushes them both in output, and sound quality easily and for less money.
3" of travel is certainly a treat to watch..lol.
I wish Josh over at data-bass would test the v1800 and echo 18 so we could see the true numbers not the company's own measurements.
I second the suggestion to do dual 's, 2 will even out your room response and allow you to cut peaks more instead of trying to boost nulls making life easier on the subs in the long run. This is the reason I run 4,they coast along and play at 20% capacity instead of 1 running at limits.