The Official SVS Subwoofer Owners Thread

[Stitches]

My PC-13Ultra's amp died (was almost 10 years old). While I explored getting the amp replaced, it wasn't going to be straightforward due to size issues, so I opted to replace since my wife was ok with it.

Since she was even ok with it, I upgraded my PC-12NSD (even more than 10 years old) as well.

So on Wednesday I will be receiving two PC-4000.

(Wish I had realized the price increase last year, as I could have upgraded then, of course I wouldn't have with both subs working).

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

I was tinkering with some settings last week and forgot I turned up the sub level +10 db from where it was set before. I also forgot to turn on one of the subs as I was testing the settings for each individually. I fired up Cloverfield yesterday, which I just picked up on 4k. I'd never owned this title previously so it was a first time watch at home. I was completely floored by the sub output, only to realize that I only had one of them running.

I continue to be amazed by the PB1000 Pro, and while I'm glad I have 2, I'm starting to feel like they're overkill. Anyway, I almost don't care to watch movies in the main room anymore where I have 3 x 15" subs.

+10db!?!?!

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by CreasyBear

+10db!?!?!

The subs won't kick on at lower volume so I was just checking to see how much I needed to increase the level trim at the volume level I was watching at to trigger them. I forgot to change it back.

Thankfully SVS added a trigger port. I have a couple of 3.5mm cables on the way.

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

The subs won't kick on at lower volume so I was just checking to see how much I needed to increase the level trim at the volume level I was watching at to trigger them. I forgot to change it back.

Thankfully SVS added a trigger port. I have a couple of 3.5mm cables on the way.

Ah. I had an issue with my SB1000 Pro not kicking in automatically too on standby mode. I just changed it to the default on since I read it doesn't use that much power when not actively blasting out sound.

The trigger works in the app if that's an easier option for you.

[RageATL]

I was calibrating my two subs last night and wanted to leave my processor setting at 0 dB for both so instead I used the gain knob on the back of each sub. Got them dialed in nicely, but just curious if anybody knows how much dB is incremented for each turn of the gain knob?

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by RageATL

I was calibrating my two subs last night and wanted to leave my processor setting at 0 dB for both so instead I used the gain knob on the back of each sub. Got them dialed in nicely, but just curious if anybody knows how much dB is incremented for each turn of the gain knob?

Probably using a sound meter would be the best way to judge. I keep both of my PB1000's at 60% gain and -9db in my Denon.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Ah. I had an issue with my SB1000 Pro not kicking in automatically too on standby mode. I just changed it to the default on since I read it doesn't use that much power when not actively blasting out sound.

The trigger works in the app if that's an easier option for you.

I'm not a fan of leaving stuff on like that, regardless of how low the power drain is. The idea of the amp being on and idle doesn't sit well with me.

I didn't realize the cable actually arrived yesterday. Plugged it in last night, and it automatically switched to "Trigger" mode. I'm happy.

Originally Posted by RageATL

I was calibrating my two subs last night and wanted to leave my processor setting at 0 dB for both so instead I used the gain knob on the back of each sub. Got them dialed in nicely, but just curious if anybody knows how much dB is incremented for each turn of the gain knob?

I happened to be on chat with SVS when I saw your post and decided to ask. This was the response I got:

The subwoofers with rotary knobs are evenly graduated from the minimum to the maximum range of the knob. There is not a stated volume range that is labeled in dB for rotary knob subs.

I guess you could check it with an SPL meter at each hash mark with the level trim and avr/processor volume both set to 0db and the SPL set to the same calibration SP level the avr/processor uses (or just use the typical 70/75 db), then maybe take the readings from the defacto 1-meter? Would help to have a digital SPL and tri-pod in this case. Not very scientific I know, but just a thought.

Edit: Looks like CreasyBear beat me to it. But of course, I took the long-winded approach like usual lol.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by CreasyBear

Probably using a sound meter would be the best way to judge. I keep both of my PB1000's at 60% gain and -9db in my Denon.

Originally Posted by red_5ive

I happened to be on chat with SVS when I saw your post and decided to ask. This was the response I got:

I guess you could check it with an SPL meter at each hash mark with the level trim and avr/processor volume both set to 0db and the SPL set to the same calibration SP level the avr/processor uses (or just use the typical 70/75 db), then maybe take the readings from the defacto 1-meter? Would help to have a digital SPL and tri-pod in this case. Not very scientific I know, but just a thought.

Edit: Looks like CreasyBear beat me to it. But of course, I took the long-winded approach like usual lol.

Thanks, folks...very much appreciated for the responses.

Yeah, that sounds exhausting and not sure I have the patience for it. But my gain knob for each is set at ~50%, so I'm good, just didn't want to activate the limiter etc. and was curious.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by RageATL

Thanks, folks...very much appreciated for the responses.

Yeah, that sounds exhausting and not sure I have the patience for it. But my gain knob for each is set at ~50%, so I'm good, just didn't want to activate the limiter etc. and was curious.

Totally with you on that man! I used to love tinkering but these days I just wanna set it and forget it. If it sounds good, that's all that matters. And yeah, between 12:00 (50%) and 14:00 is where SVS told me to set the knob on my prior sub, and then run the calibration from there.

[red_5ive]

By the way, if anyone is running multi-subs and your AVR/processor has separate settings for each sub, after running a calibration, try adjusting the distance for the one of the subs. The auto-calibration on my processor set both subs to a relative distance of 12' (although I'm actually about 15' away). I found that adjusting the distance helped squeeze out a few db. I ended up with a .5 ft difference on the 2nd sub vs where it initially was calibrated. Generally, adding a 2nd sub should get you +6 db. I was only getting +4 initially, but adjusting the relative distance got it to +6.

Note though that this could inadvertently affect a multi-point calibration, possibly good or bad. Me, I don't care about what others hear/feel, I want the sweet spot where I sit to be the best spot.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Totally with you on that man! I used to love tinkering but these days I just wanna set it and forget it. If it sounds good, that's all that matters. And yeah, between 12:00 (50%) and 14:00 is where SVS told me to set the knob on my prior sub, and then run the calibration from there.

Same here...wanna do it right the first time, get it sounding good and then run, haha! I also took pics of the levels they're at now so each one is at ~ 11 o'clock.

Originally Posted by red_5ive

By the way, if anyone is running multi-subs and your AVR/processor has separate settings for each sub, after running a calibration, try adjusting the distance for the one of the subs. The auto-calibration on my processor set both subs to a relative distance of 12' (although I'm actually about 15' away).

Note though that this could inadvertently affect a multi-point calibration, possibly good or bad. Me, I don't care about what others hear/feel, I want the sweet spot where I sit to be the best spot.

I run two subs and have separate settings for each, but execute manual calibration using an SPL meter, not auto-calibration...I just don't trust them.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by RageATL

Same here...wanna do it right the first time, get it sounding good and then run, haha! I also took pics of the levels they're at now so each one is at ~ 11 o'clock

Ha I have screenshots (from the web app) of all my settings as well, in case I do make changes.

Originally Posted by RageATL

I run two subs and have separate settings for each, but execute manual calibration using an SPL meter, not auto-calibration...I just don't trust them.

Fair enough.

In my case, my processor has a 7-band PEQ for the non-sub channels. I've tried setting them, but in the end the auto-calibration did a way better job than I did lol. Plus the absolute/true distance has never worked in my setup, so I prefer to have the auto-calibration set speaker distance. So I'm a believer of the run auto-calibration, then customize from there.

[Maggot]

Pulled the trigger on a PB-2000 pro. I have an older PB-2000(500w - no DSP) and depending on how it "plays" with the new one, I may need to get a second pro model, but we'll see.....

[Maggot]

Got the 2nd SVS up and running. Will need to make some adjustments to both subs in terms of positioning in the front, but wow.....that second sub filled in my left side of the room wonderfully. My older SB2000 (non-pro) is closer to the wall on the front right and has a little bit more wall punch as to be expected, but I will position that further away from the side wall to help even out response with the new pro version on the left. That new SB2000-pro on the front left has no wall next to it and an open 12X12 dining room space across the way. I'll try to get them paired better in terms of volume/phase/low pass/positioning adjustments considering a wall on one side and nothing on the other, but I will tell you right now....Jeeze....what an amazing difference already!!! I swear I must have 10+ DB headroom now compared to before. I'm gonna have to lower the bass quite a bit as it's thunderous now like never before and the same volume on both is WAY too powerful.

[oddbox83]

I've had my SB1000 Pro for a little while now, along with the SVS isolation feet.

It integrates so very well, heavy bass when needed but it never draws attention to itself like my old Focal Cub did (and I have come to learn inferior subs are simply one-note boomboxes, which is the opposite of what I want a sub to do). It's seamlessly supporting the speakers, not growling away to itself. It's hard to put into words quite what I'm hearing, so I suppose this example will be good - with a boomy sub I'd be reaching for the volume control whenever it got very active. With the SVS, it's got the dynamic range and integration that I don't feel I need to and can just sit back and enjoy. No rattle or anything (I guess the isolation feet help with that, decoupling the sub physically from the room).

Whether you want massive bass or, like me, you've got neighbours so don't want boomy bass, it seems the SVS range covers both bases (pardon the pun ).

I've only got room for the one, but with the SB1000 Pro in a small room, I no longer feel I'm missing out by having just one.

The Pro features I find so useful. I always hated fiddling with the back of a sub to make adjustments. With the Pro I can do it on my phone.

So if anyone is in a similar situation to me and has incorrectly assumed a small sub bundled with a speaker package would have to suffice - nah - a proper one appears to be much more neighbour friendly as well as simply sounding much, much better!

[jusmu]

How many subs can you add on the app?

[Neutron82]

I found a used pair of pb3000's with nearly 4 years of warranty left for a good deal, I'm very tempted to go pick those up this weekend to replace my r115sw

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by Neutron82

I found a used pair of pb3000's with nearly 4 years of warranty left for a good deal, I'm very tempted to go pick those up this weekend to replace my r115sw

[Neutron82]

Originally Posted by RageATL

[Show spoiler]

if everything goes as planned I will be picking them up on Sunday... a bit of driving but I think it will be worth it

*update*
so I got the pair of pb3000's home safely and initial impressions are great!... just putting them in the corners of my room next to my floor speakers and doing a very basic setup they already sound much better than my r115sw... I don't know if it's just me but now it seems like my other speakers sound a lot better too, I'm hearing more tones out off all the speakers (subs included) that I didn't hear before and it all sounds much cleaner

[dogdoctor]

Originally Posted by Neutron82

I don't know if it's just me but now it seems like my other speakers sound a lot better too, I'm hearing more tones out off all the speakers (subs included) that I didn't hear before and it all sounds much cleaner

that was my impression 1.5 years ago when I got the SB2000 up and running. Everything was just smoother, better. So this weekend I decided to join the dual sub club. Got a second SB2000 coming this Thursday. Want to be up and running duals before Top Gun: Maverick comes home.