SVS PB13-Ultra VS. Velodyne DD12

[SoundEngine355]

Hi,

I'm down to two subwoofers.

SVS PB13-Ultra VS. Velodyne DD12

Pros and Cons I can think of:

1. SVS is $500 cheaper
2. Velodyne is smaller, SVS is double the size
3. SVS goes lower according to the tests.
4. Velodyne has 2 years extra warranty

.....any ideas?

To be used mainly for HT.

[DL86]

SVS PB13 ULTRA DON'T LOOK BACK... ofcourse if you can accomodate it. I'm getting mine in about a months time. I was planning on getting a SPL-1200 R velo but after reading stuff about the SVS I think ill go with the pb13 ultra. I read some where the SVS outclasses the HGS-15 by a large amount. http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...07-part-3.html what more could you want lol Also from another post with the pb13 ultra against the pb 12 plus/2 the pb13 is far more musical and dissapears better.

[artv4]

what do you intend to use the subwoofers for? ht or 2channel?

[SoundEngine355]

HT only.

[nikos]

the svs pb-13u is better match for HT.
The DD12 with the servo control or any DD IMHO would be better, along with other options for music.

if space is not an issue...try a pair of subs...not just one.
2 lesser subs will give a better and fuller experience comparing to a step above single sub.

Good luck.

[SoundEngine355]

SVS PB13 ULTRA DON'T LOOK BACK... ofcourse if you can accomodate it. I'm getting mine in about a months time. I was planning on getting a SPL-1200 R velo but after reading stuff about the SVS I think ill go with the pb13 ultra. I read some where the SVS outclasses the HGS-15 by a large amount. http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...07-part-3.html what more could you want lol Also from another post with the pb13 ultra against the pb 12 plus/2 the pb13 is far more musical and dissapears better.

I am ordering my today, but now worried about the size, its bloody huge!

Compared to the DD12 which is half the size.

[David Meek]

IMO, the Velodyne DD line is a better choice for accurate bass reproduction. If you want a little louder, a little deeper but less accurate then the SVS is a better choice.

[SoundEngine355]

Just looked at the some tests of the DD12, very poor performance between 20hz to 15hz.

http://www.avtalk.co.uk/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=18355&start=0&rid=0&SQ=0

VS.

http://www.avtalk.co.uk/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=22950&start=0&rid=0&SQ=0

[Hdale85]

PB13.... It's like half the cost and look at the performance.

[DL86]

The pb 13-ultra can play at 100db at 15 hz with 8% distortion and that distortion figure lowers drastically as freq increases. Seems very accurate to me. No sub near and a fair bit above its price range can touch it. Compare that 15-40hz sweep test to other subs of similar price and it just wont compare in SPL and distortion figures which are the two defining figures that define how the sub will perform.

[Jack Gilvey]

The pb 13-ultra can play at 100db at 15 hz with 8% distortion and that distortion figure lowers drastically as freq increases. Seems very accurate to me. No sub near and a fair bit above its price range can touch it. Compare that 15-40hz sweep test to other subs of similar price and it just wont compare in SPL and distortion figures which are the two defining figures that define how the sub will perform.

Yup. If we define accuracy as being faithful to the input, the SVS is extremely so. If we define it in more personal ways, then things get less clear, and anyone's favorite sub can be described as "more accurate".
Large reflex subs with lots of porting don't need to jump though the same hoops that a small sealed subs do to get low, loud, and clean.

[David Meek]

If we define it in more personal ways, then things get less clear, and anyone's favorite sub can be described as "more accurate".

Is the SVS servo-controlled? No. The purpose of the servo mechanism is to constantly compare (many times a second) the input signal to the output signal and correct it if there is a difference. Therefore more accurate is a technically based description, not a "more personal" one.

[Jack Gilvey]

Is the SVS servo-controlled? No. The purpose of the servo mechanism is to constantly compare (many times a second) the input signal to the output signal and correct it if there is a difference. Therefore more accurate is a technically based description, not a "more personal" one.

You're making assumptions/generalizations based on your understanding of the technology, but the proof of "accuracy" is in the measured performance, how closely it replicates the input. Servo is one of the "hoops" I refer to that a small sealed sub needs to make up for its size.

[whoaru99]

Based on the ratings/reviews of a group of guys I keep an eye on elsewhere, the PB13-Ultra is rated higher on HT and music than even the DD-18 and JL F113, and it's 1/2 the price of either.

You may want to look at the Epik Castle which they scored overall equal to the PB13-U, but slightly stronger in HT and slightly weaker for music. And, it's $500 less... in the black textured finish.

[SoundEngine355]

Well in Australia there is only $600 difference between the PB13 and DD12. I think the PB13 is going to be too big for my room. I wanted something the size of the DD12.

[SoundEngine355]

Any other brands I should consider?

[SoundEngine355]

PB13.... It's like half the cost and look at the performance.

Double the size though and only $600 cheaper in Aust.

[DL86]

Servo is used to reduce distortion it uses up amplifier power to do it. If you can acheive low distortion without a servo system than I would assume it makes no difference in whatever way you do to acheive lower distortion.

Group delay response would be a good indicator of musical performance of a subwoofer this represents a subs ability to produce transients accuratly. http://www.avtalk.co.uk/forum/index....t=0&rid=0&SQ=0 (PB-13 ultra at the 15 hz tune) and http://www.avtalk.co.uk/forum/index....t=0&rid=0&SQ=0 (DD 12 V2.2.0)
if you look at the group delay response's you would see they are very similar. This is not the case with the pb-12 plus/2 which is higher and might be the case why one individual noted the increased musical performance of the pb-13 ultra over the pb 12 plus/2 when he upgraded.

[Hdale85]

From what I've read and heard Servo is a bit over rated. Nice thought but just doesn't seem to perform as well as the spec says. Not to say they aren't excellent subs but a lot of them just cost a lot more. I understand in Australia they don't If you want something the size of the DD-12 then I'm not sure why we're still talking about it. Not really sure why you asked which you should get either Go listen and get what you like I say with prices that close its not a huge deal if you go with the more expensive. Here in the state its quite a big difference between the two.

[nikos]

Well in Australia there is only $600 difference between the PB13 and DD12. I think the PB13 is going to be too big for my room. I wanted something the size of the DD12.

in your original post you didnt mention Size matters...
Plus you said that you wanted for HT... not Music!!!

if size is one of the deciding factors you should seriously consider the

JL Audio Fathom F113

For its size...nothing compares...

I love mine. It is very musical and for HT hits with authority and definition.
The only thing better is multiples of them... I know I'll be adding another sometime down the road.... Won pretty much every award it could and everyone has raved about it, plenty of info to read about...

And of course as you tip the scale towards smaller sub that can do what the subs twice its size do... the price increases The Fathom 13 will outperform a DD18... so even the Fathom 12 might be a good choice for you.

You will not be disappointed if you can get over the price factor...(you can get it street under $2700 for the Fathom 13 in piano gloss)

good luck and let us know what you decide

N

[Spearmint]

Well in Australia there is only $600 difference between the PB13 and DD12. I think the PB13 is going to be too big for my room. I wanted something the size of the DD12.

Since you're in Australia you should also consider some of the local breads like Aslan, Equinox, Osborn, SGR to name a few.

[SoundEngine355]

Yeah all over now, I sold out to the WAF.

SPL-1200R @ half the cost

[DL86]

sound engine how much are you getting these subs for? Last quotes I got there was a 700 dollar price difference between the spl1200r and the pb 13 ultra. Do you live in Australia?

[Jack Gilvey]

Yeah all over now, I sold out to the WAF.

SPL-1200R @ half the cost

You choose your battles wisely.

[artv4]

Yeah all over now, I sold out to the WAF.

SPL-1200R @ half the cost

great choice!!!!!!! go velodyne!!!!