Soliciting advice on the SVS PB-13 Ultra

[!Jeremy]

I'm in the market for a new powered subwoofer and I'm considering this model for purchase. Does anyone here own this model?

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb13ultra.cfm

[bklynNupe]

I have the PB12 - NSD, it is fantastic IMO. Bass is very low and clean. I'm sure the 13 is a killer, but I'll let other who have it weigh in.

[Matt34]

I'm in the market for a new powered subwoofer and I'm considering this model for purchase. Does anyone here own this model?

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb13ultra.cfm

If you can handle the size and price, I really see no reason not to get it. It's a stellar sub provided by a great company. IMO the only comparable subs in it's price range is the Epik Dynasty or for a little more the Elemental Design A7-450 but the SVS offers different tuning options and real wood veneers that the others do not.

[danz1906]

Its Awesome-Go for it!

[VR3]

If you are 100% movies, sure...

Similar performance, similar price, but better for music by far -- VMPS Larger Subwoofer

Not to mention it can still do 120db at 20hz

Also, I am not a fanboy - I actually hate Brian at VMPS, but his subwoofers are no joke.

[Matt34]

If you are 100% movies, sure...

Similar performance, similar price, but better for music by far -- VMPS Larger Subwoofer

Not to mention it can still do 120db at 20hz

Also, I am not a fanboy - I actually hate Brian at VMPS, but his subwoofers are no joke.

I've heard mention of these here but don't know much about them. Can you link to the specific sub your taking about? Are these passive subs?

Thanks

-sorry for partial threadjack

[VR3]

www.vmpsaudio.com

look at their subs - its called the Larger Sub

There are several things about VMPS that make them better than SVS.

1) Low compliance drivers, these drivers only move .5-1" -- very fast response time, even when something in that 20hz region is going on
2) All sealed enclosures
3) Push Pull (Active driver moves in, passive driver moves out, etc etc) - Very fast good tone and again, very accurate.
4) The passive radiator and slot loaded, which acts as a port. GO FIGURE! You get the low end response of a ported design, BUT you get the musical nation of a sealed sub above 30hz. Incredibly well thought out and works great.

As far as active or passive. You get them fitted with 1000 watt plate amps. Or you can get them passive. You can also get them in kits where you can put them together and save some $$$$.

[Matt34]

www.vmpsaudio.com

look at their subs - its called the Larger Sub

There are several things about VMPS that make them better than SVS.

1) Low compliance drivers, these drivers only move .5-1" -- very fast response time, even when something in that 20hz region is going on
2) All sealed enclosures
3) Push Pull (Active driver moves in, passive driver moves out, etc etc) - Very fast good tone and again, very accurate.
4) The passive radiator and slot loaded, which acts as a port. GO FIGURE! You get the low end response of a ported design, BUT you get the musical nation of a sealed sub above 30hz. Incredibly well thought out and works great.

As far as active or passive. You get them fitted with 1000 watt plate amps. Or you can get them passive. You can also get them in kits where you can put them together and save some $$$$.

Thanks! A very unique approach using both a PR and slot port....the price isn't bad at all.

I'll defiantly put this on the list of subs when I get my two channel setup up and running.

[VR3]

For the money those things cost, you wont find a sub that can do it all.

What sub do you know can play up to like 200hz with finesse and all the way down to 20hz at 120db all in the same sentence?

Ill tell you which one...

The VMPS Larger.

It redefines accurate bass and tone. The only downside to it is 140 pounds and Brian Cheney.

[kingtut]

Trey, it sounded like you had a bad experience w/B. Cheney. What happened?

[VR3]

He is an *******. He is shady - tries to pass used for new...

He is rude and overall a cocky - POS

He is the reason I will never own a VMPS product and a huge reason I sold my subs....

[kingtut]

He might make good subs, but with that type of feedback, I'd be leary of purchasing his products.

[VR3]

Atleast I am honest...

Id still buy it over a SVS...

Id rather spend 1000 on tone and an ******* than 1000 on a bass piston one trick pony.

imo & ymmv

[Ron Temple]

Trey, have you heard the Ultra 13? It's not like the old Plus. I haven't heard the VMPS, but I have heard all the Velo DDs, the JL F113 and several DIY subs that can compete. I think you're selling it short.

[beardog03]

I agree with Ron...
I believe the New Ultra 13 is supposed to be even better (for music) than the PC-Ultra, and I am very happy with mine !



I say if ya have the coin, go for it !

[thsmith]

+1 svs-pb13

[Serendipity]

Atleast I am honest...

Id still buy it over a SVS...

How about strictly for movies?

[megasat16]

a bass piston one trick pony.

imo & ymmv

I have two SVS PB13 Ultra and I don't think it's a bass piston with one trick pony. It's a good all around performer and an excellent sub for both for HT and music. If you listen to music more than HT, run it in 15Hz mode or lower by plugging the ports. The 20Hz mode (no ports plugged) is more suitable for HT than music.

I am sure the VMPS larger subs works well but I don't think PB13 ultra will be any less than what VMPS larger sub can offer. It's 155LBs with the 13" driver weighing more than 70lbs on it's own. It's in the same league as now defunct Accoupower Subs or TC Sounds LMS subs.

Having said that, you should checkout Rythmik Audio's DS1500 sealed Kit (also offered through Ascend Acoustic as pre-build) if you are truly oriented towards music.

[VR3]

Brian takes a completely different approach to subs than SVS would even bother thinking about.

Brian's sub are designed to be musical enough for planars and ribbons. You wont see to many of those guys using SVS or the like. There are two totally different mind sets between these two brands.

SVS is trying to get rock solid to 20hz, as loud as possible. Music is their secondary goal whether they want to admit it or not.

What Brian has successfully done is design a subwoofer (multiple ones) that move very little, and can be crossed over very high while retaining output... and most importantly still has tone and low frequency slam..

Ive heard several SVS subs - I use to own one. They are accurate and fast. The problem is they have no tone. You don't need a 70 pound woofer and 1500 watts to reproduce tone. That use to impress me, but for music - there is ALOT more out than SVS and alot better brands.

REL, Totem, ACI

Obviously I am a little biased to the Larger sub from VMPS because for around 900 dollars you can compete directly with the PB-13 Ultra in output and extention, but also get the tone and definition you need for music.

[Matt34]

Brian takes a completely different approach to subs than SVS would even bother thinking about.

Brian's sub are designed to be musical enough for planars and ribbons. You wont see to many of those guys using SVS or the like. There are two totally different mind sets between these two brands.

SVS is trying to get rock solid to 20hz, as loud as possible. Music is their secondary goal whether they want to admit it or not.

What Brian has successfully done is design a subwoofer (multiple ones) that move very little, and can be crossed over very high while retaining output... and most importantly still has tone and low frequency slam..

Ive heard several SVS subs - I use to own one. They are accurate and fast. The problem is they have no tone. You don't need a 70 pound woofer and 1500 watts to reproduce tone. That use to impress me, but for music - there is ALOT more out than SVS and alot better brands.

REL, Totem, ACI

Obviously I am a little biased to the Larger sub from VMPS because for around 900 dollars you can compete directly with the PB-13 Ultra in output and extention, but also get the tone and definition you need for music.

I won't argue the merits point for point but there is more than one way to skin a cat. A high excursion subwoofer such as the PB-13 can be very musically as long as it's operated safely within it's linear range and it's a step or five above the previous offerings from SVS. The PB-13 ability to adjust it's tune is also an added bonus depending on what you are using it for.

I still would like to get a chance to tryout one of those VMPS.

[megasat16]

Brian takes a completely different approach to subs than SVS would even bother thinking about.

Brian's sub are designed to be musical enough for planars and ribbons. You wont see to many of those guys using SVS or the like. There are two totally different mind sets between these two brands.

SVS is trying to get rock solid to 20hz, as loud as possible. Music is their secondary goal whether they want to admit it or not.

What Brian has successfully done is design a subwoofer (multiple ones) that move very little, and can be crossed over very high while retaining output... and most importantly still has tone and low frequency slam..

Ive heard several SVS subs - I use to own one. They are accurate and fast. The problem is they have no tone. You don't need a 70 pound woofer and 1500 watts to reproduce tone. That use to impress me, but for music - there is ALOT more out than SVS and alot better brands.

REL, Totem, ACI

Obviously I am a little biased to the Larger sub from VMPS because for around 900 dollars you can compete directly with the PB-13 Ultra in output and extention, but also get the tone and definition you need for music.

Yes! Brian's approach is quite new against others but using feedback control system in the subs isn't. Brian's direct servo is another approach but I don't know how well it works since the accuracy of servo plate amp and the servo sensor in the sub driver lies the keys to how well the servo can offset unwanted harmonics.

Anyway, it's a different approach and supposed to be better sounding than most other sealed subs that does not use servo. Velodyne DD with SMS-1 is also another good approach for a good musical sub.

Let's not forget Dr. Hsu's ULS15 since it's also a sealed sub.

I also read more about VMPs subs and it's use of multiple driver (15" and 12") with slot port and 15" PR. It's also very intriguing design and may be the answer to it's linearity over a wide frequency range. But I wonder how does the THD+N measures since it's effectively sub + mid-bass in one cabinet. But around $1000, it might be a good deal.

It's also important that how low of frequency it can hit cleanly. I don't think I would like my subs go over 120-150Hz since music is supposedly come from speakers after 100Hz or localization could occurs.

[speakergeek]

The PB-13 U is exceptionally musical. Even in 20 Hz tune it's very tight and articulate. And yes it is very capable of SPL....

[bevo]

I have one and it sounds great. It could be a little tighter, but I like the sound of it the way it is. It's by fat the smoothest sounding sub i have ever heard. Keep in mind that most of the good subs I've heard are in car stereos.