Best Sub under $2000

[JohnGalt]

I take it you must work for SVS, they only released this one late this past summer.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

Were I feeling a bit argumentative today I might be inclined to inquire as to whether the 20Hz tune for the big SVS weren't the worst-case comparison to the Paradigm. After all, if you drop down to the 15Hz tune you still exceed the Paradim's performance across the entire frequency range, and exceed it by quite a bit down low (<=20Hz):



Of course then I might be forced to inquire as to whether or not comparing the distortion measurement for the highest output of the SVS, which is quite a few dB higher than the highest output for the Paradigm, was actually comparing apples-to-apples or whether the big SVS weren't producing higher distortion levels by virtue of being required to produce significantly higher output levels. I'd likely conclude that this was indeed the case and I'd note that a more fair comparison of distortion produced by the two might be that found at the 115 or 120 dB level for the Paradigm which produced ~105dB SPL through most of the range to the 105 dB level for the for the SVS which, oddly enough, produced ~105 dB SPL through most of the range:



Were I actually interested in comparing the two I might then check a few quick points of comparison (SVS in 15Hz tune vs. Paradigm):

20 Hz - 103 dB @ 5% vs 98 dB @ 7%
40 Hz - 105 dB @ 3.25% vs. 106 dB @ 3%
80 Hz - 105 dB @ 3% vs. 107 dB @ 5%

Advantage? Were I actually doing this comparison I'm not certain that I could actually find an advantage for either in the THD department though at most points other than right around 50 Hz the SVS seems to perform as well or better than the Paradigm in this department at identical SPL levels.

I'd probably conclude that the SVS' extra 5dB SPL @ 20Hz at a superior THD level was the biggest difference between the two and I'd note approvingly the fact that if I could live with moderately higher THD the SVS could add another 5dB to that advantage (producing 10dB extra SPL down low) while the Paradigm had nothing left in the tank.

In the final analysis pity might begin to creep into my mind as I consider the fact that the poor Paradigm owners would never experience anything like the raw power that the SVS produces in the lowest octave. Of course I'm quite glad that I'm not feeling argumentative today because making such a comparison would probably open a huge can of worms with the unfortunate Paradigm owners here and well, you know, far be it from me to fuel the flames of an Internet product debate.

Nothing left in the tank?
Servo hits 15Hz with 7% THD @ 92dB (110 dB line)
SVS hits 15Hz with 24% THD @ 99dB (105 dB line)

I would conclude that only an SVS Employee would be blind enough to compare the wrong lines as the 110db from the Servo and 105db from the SVS (15Hz) are obviously the closest matched, I would then conclude that anything over 10% THD becomes aurally displeasing and would go for the Paradigm as I am not interested in 7 dB extra power if it introduces that much distortion to subsonic bass.

I presume your condescending approach to the matter was directed to me, apologies if I missied your point; was it something about how SPL's are #1? Tsk, tsk. Keep me out of your home theater!

EDIT - by the way John, which sub/s was it you said you currently own?

[digitalbrad]

I'll add my 2 cents. HSU is a great buy. The products and company are top notch. I ran across some reviews a few years ago when I was looking for a new sub. Purchased one from HSU and haven't been looked back.

[Kratos3]

Best sub under 2k? DefTech Supercube Reference, retails for $1699. DVD Etc. gave it 99 out of 100. From what I've read, Hsu makes a great budget priced sub, and so does SVS. Also, the Klipsch RT-12d has gotten great reviews including Sound and Vision naming it an Editor's Choice. It has a room EQ to take some of the guesswork out of placement and crossovers.

[dobyblue]

You should also pay close attention to Epik Subwoofers.
They launched in August of this year, but their history if you search it speaks for itself.

The Epik Conquest is $1599.



The testing of the Conquest provides some pretty stagerring results:
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/C2.pdf

This thing kicked out 103.8 dB @ 12.5Hz with only 3.4% distortion.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

You should also pay close attention to Epik Subwoofers.
They launched in August of this year, but their history if you search it speaks for itself.

The Epik Conquest is $1599.



The testing of the Conquest provides some pretty stagerring results:
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/C2.pdf

This thing kicked out 103.8 dB @ 12.5Hz with only 3.4% distortion.

That thing looks like a beast of a sub.... thats what you use if you want to tear your house apart!

[MaleManGuy]

Originally Posted by MaleManGuy

Hi Everyone...

I was wondering what your opinions were for best sub under $2000.
I have klipsch RF62, and RC62 fronts/center and backs. I have an older cheaper paradigm sub which i'd like to replace with something better...

what y'all think?? :-)

Jeffy

WELL! This mother of a puppy arrived today. Sure is a big heavy sucker... and I immediately replaced my PDR-10, turned it on, put in a movie, cranked a few knobs to what i think ought to be nice... and it makes the house thunderous for sure. I'll have to test it later... so far so cooOooool :-)

Jeff

[MaleManGuy]

Originally Posted by MaleManGuy

WELL! This mother of a puppy arrived today. Sure is a big heavy sucker... and I immediately replaced my PDR-10, turned it on, put in a movie, cranked a few knobs to what i think ought to be nice... and it makes the house thunderous for sure. I'll have to test it later... so far so cooOooool :-)

Jeff

Holy ding dongs batman... the SVS 20-39 PC Plus is an excellent buy. Thunderous sub... blows the PDR-10 out of the water by a mile I would say... beautiful bass sure adds good effects to any movie. The wife didn't even notice it while watching a movie...LOL... she did wonder where the huge empty cardboard box came from tho (2' x 2' x 4.5'). They threw in a free t-shirt to boot. I am happy with it, looks elegant and don't have to worry about kids pushing the cone in :-)

Jeffy

[LUkassZ]

Originally Posted by Downhere

Best sub under $2000, well if space is not a problem I suggest the SVS PB13-Ultra...



You can get it in a variety of finishes and many from AVS are in love with it. It would definitely be my pick if I was in need of a new sub.

PLUS 1 No klipsch, JBL, etc is going to touch an SVS hands down! You can get the 13 or the dual 12 for way under two grand! Read some professional reviews on the SVS subs.

[BLU STEAL]

paradigm deftech or klipsh are my recomendations

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by MaleManGuy

Thunderous sub... blows the PDR-10 out of the water by a mile I would say...

Of course it does, the PDR-10 is an entry level sub with a +/- 3dB frequency sweep down to around 32Hz with maximum low extension down to 27Hz.
The 20-39 PC Plus has usable extension down past 20Hz. It would be a massive upgrade from the PDR line.
The only subs from Paradigm that should be seriously considered are the PW line or the Servo reference line.

[MaleManGuy]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Of course it does, the PDR-10 is an entry level sub with a +/- 3dB frequency sweep down to around 32Hz with maximum low extension down to 27Hz.
The 20-39 PC Plus has usable extension down past 20Hz. It would be a massive upgrade from the PDR line.
The only subs from Paradigm that should be seriously considered are the PW line or the Servo reference line.

Yeah... it was a cheap sub, but when I bought it like 4 years ago I couldn't imagine what I'd be doing today. SvS is way cool for sure... it's the first time I experienced such a quality sub in my home. Retail shops want $1600+ for Klipsch 10" subs n stuff... SvS for about $1000 is mind boggling... it's amazing they are not more well heard of I think. I had never heard of them 2 months ago when I started looking.
And yeah... the PDR-10 is a piece of crap huh. lol. It did it's job for a while...

[cpgator]

Originally Posted by MaleManGuy

Yeah... it was a cheap sub, but when I bought it like 4 years ago I couldn't imagine what I'd be doing today. SvS is way cool for sure... it's the first time I experienced such a quality sub in my home. Retail shops want $1600+ for Klipsch 10" subs n stuff... SvS for about $1000 is mind boggling... it's amazing they are not more well heard of I think. I had never heard of them 2 months ago when I started looking.
And yeah... the PDR-10 is a piece of crap huh. lol. It did it's job for a while...

The PDR-10 is by no means a piece of crap. For the money, it is a great sub. Did you audition a Servo?

[Barnum]

Can not say enough about SVS you will not be disappointed.

[monkyman]

Personaly I like the Italian cold cut sub, but my wife perfers Ham and Swiss..........Oh wait, not that kind of sub......sorry.