Hi .
I am about to give my wife an audio system for the Sharp 46SE LCD display we have in the living room of 18x16 feet openned to the dining room area of about same dimensions.
The mains will be Paradigm Studio 60 with CC-590 Center.
I am puzzeled about the various Paradigm subs.
PW-2200 $1000
UltraCube 12 $1100
Seismic 12 $2000
Servo 15 $2700
All except the Servo 15 harbor a 12 inch driver.
What are my choices and what do I hear as differences?
Sure I could go for the most expensive sub but what do I get for my money?
The Receiver will ba a Maranz 8200.

I am about to give my wife an audio system..............:D

What are my choices and what do I hear as differences?

Your choices include a lot more than the Paradigm subs. You really don't have to worry worry about "timbre matching" a sub with the rest of the speakers.

I'm not knocking Paradigm, as I own 3 pairs of Paradigms. But from what I've heard and read, Paradigm's subs aren't anything to write home about at their price points. The one Paradigm sub I have heard rave reviews on is the Servo 15, but that is pretty pricey...

I recommend browsing this forum to get a feel for what is out there.

Good advice above. I don't know what your requirements are size and appearence-wise, but the SVS PB-13 Ultra fits smack in the middle of the price range of the subs you mentioned and it is undisputably a great sub which can easily can be made to play well with any system. There are also other good choices higher and lower in price that may work well for you depending on your specific physical requirements.

Good advice above. I don't know what your requirements are size and appearence-wise, but the SVS PB-13 Ultra fits smack in the middle of the price range of the subs you mentioned and it is undisputably a great sub which can easily can be made to play well with any system. There are also other good choices higher and lower in price that may work well for you depending on your specific physical requirements.

I second this for the money and sheer impact of both music and ht. But if
your going to stay with Paradigm the Servo 15 is a great sub its just the Ultra
can be had for less money and go deeper and louder and just as clean.

PW-2200 $1000
UltraCube 12 $1100
Seismic 12 $2000
Servo 15 $2700
All except the Servo 15 harbor a 12 inch driver.
What are my choices and what do I hear as differences?
Sure I could go for the most expensive sub but what do I get for my money?
The Receiver will ba a Maranz 8200.

The PW2200 is a good entry level sub, not very clean sounding, a bit boomy. Mainly a movie sub.

The Ultracube is a sub that you buy if you want the smallest sub possible, but again, not a lot of depth to the bass and it can sound a bit boomy.

The Seismic is a good sub for its size, but again, compromises are made to be small, but it does compete well against some bigger subs, and it's good for both music and movies.

The Servo you can't go wrong with. It has tremendously good sound quality and good output in a reasonable size compared to other subs popular in this forum. Excellent with music and movies alike.

You didn't list the new DSP series. I would either choose the DSP 3400 over the PW2200, or the Servo 15 if you have the money. The Seismic is a good sub too but if you don't care about size, the others are better value

If you don't mind a very big box...I'd also recommend the PB13 Ultra from sonicboomaudio.com (who is the distributor for SVS in Canada)

Hi .
I am about to give my wife an audio system for the Sharp 46SE LCD display we have in the living room of 18x16 feet openned to the dining room area of about same dimensions.
The mains will be Paradigm Studio 60 with CC-590 Center.
I am puzzeled about the various Paradigm subs.
PW-2200 $1000
UltraCube 12 $1100
Seismic 12 $2000
Servo 15 $2700
All except the Servo 15 harbor a 12 inch driver.
What are my choices and what do I hear as differences?
Sure I could go for the most expensive sub but what do I get for my money?
The Receiver will ba a Maranz 8200.

Q - I have a an SVS PB13, I also have a PW-2200. See below for a pic side by side for a size reference for your area.

The PW is in Rosenut, the SVS Ultra is in Piano Black. The SVS is far better looking, and sound even better than it looks. I agree with Warpdrive that the PW-2200 is a fine sub for movies, and if your mainly only getting it for movies, it will be fine. The bass in the PW is a bit sloppy and boomy, which doesn't matter as much for movies but it really shows up in music. If you want a very high quality sub that you won't want/need to upgrade for years, get the PB from Sonic Boom. If you want a movie sub and your wife is not that critical, the PW-2200 is fine and will pressursize your room. It is also about half the cost once all factors are considered (shipping for SVS).

If space is a consideration, I heard the Seismic once and the bass is just as powerful as the PW if not a bit more so, and it's much 'tighter', and a lot smaller (that's why it's so much more money). Much easier to make a large sub sound good than a small one.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn26/Kpt_Krunch/Closeupofsidebyside.jpg

If you can afford it, the servo 15 is amazing and really has some great output ( I have 2 ;) ). That being said, if you can't and your going to spend the $1100 on a sub there are better for the money going the ID route.

Also kpt_krunch what amp does your pw2200 have on it?. It looks like my old 1 I use to have and the new ones have amps with double the power and even more output. I think it was a v2 but I can't remember.. lol

Woahh a ton of replies.
Thanks guys. I just checked SVS PB13-Ultra at Sonic Boom Audio on the NET. This sub is amazing with its removable plugs to change the bass extension. And at $1699, it is, like you guys said, smack right in the middle price wise with the Paradigm Subs. It's a monster!!! 155 lbs!!! I should have it delivered!!! Will check if I have the space behind the couch, in the corner... also, will consider the SAF
I will check at my dealer see if they sell it.

If you can afford it, the servo 15 is amazing and really has some great output ( I have 2 ;) ). That being said, if you can't and your going to spend the $1100 on a sub there are better for the money going the ID route.

Also kpt_krunch what amp does your pw2200 have on it?. It looks like my old 1 I use to have and the new ones have amps with double the power and even more output. I think it was a v2 but I can't remember.. lol
Hi N8DOGG
My Wife says: "too big... way too big". "It you buy it for you, fine but for me, no thanks". So that's the end of that... for her. She is prepaired to give the $1000 more for a smaller sub like Servo-15.
But, what do you think of the Velodyne SC-15? It has an outboard amp and it could fit the bill?

how bout a pair of SVS SB-12? Those are much smaller, and a pair of them can give some options about taking out a room mode.

a pair of ACI Force XL would be another choice, as would a single ACI titan xl
(www.audioc.com)

Hi N8DOGG
My Wife says: "too big... way too big". "It you buy it for you, fine but for me, no thanks". So that's the end of that... for her. She is prepaired to give the $1000 more for a smaller sub like Servo-15.
But, what do you think of the Velodyne SC-15? It has an outboard amp and it could fit the bill?

If your wife wants small and both want performance that comes in an expensive order like the JL 113.

The PW2200 is a good entry level sub, not very clean sounding, a bit boomy. Mainly a movie sub.

The Ultracube is a sub that you buy if you want the smallest sub possible, but again, not a lot of depth to the bass and it can sound a bit boomy.

The Seismic is a good sub for its size, but again, compromises are made to be small, but it does compete well against some bigger subs, and it's good for both music and movies.

The Servo you can't go wrong with. It has tremendously good sound quality and good output in a reasonable size compared to other subs popular in this forum. Excellent with music and movies alike.

You didn't list the new DSP series. I would either choose the DSP 3400 over the PW2200, or the Servo 15 if you have the money. The Seismic is a good sub too but if you don't care about size, the others are better value

If you don't mind a very big box...I'd also recommend the PB13 Ultra from sonicboomaudio.com (who is the distributor for SVS in Canada)

On the PW2200 I would agree.

On the UltraCube..boomy? BOOMY, not at all. You heard bad room interaction and botched integration. This sub is NOT boomy.

Servo 15 agreed. Clean ,defined and overall a great sub no matter the competition.

DSP series subs...these are B OO Me. At first I was impressed by the overall qualities in HT use...the PW2200 is more musical than the DSP3400!




I agree SVS offers better choices,if you shop for a Servo 15 the new SVS Ultra offers all the SQ of the Servo.Plus better extension and output below 25Hz the Servo cannot match.

Hi N8DOGG
My Wife says: "too big... way too big". "It you buy it for you, fine but for me, no thanks". So that's the end of that... for her. She is prepaired to give the $1000 more for a smaller sub like Servo-15.
But, what do you think of the Velodyne SC-15? It has an outboard amp and it could fit the bill?

Have you considered the Velodyne DD-15? The size is probably right and it is a very very good subwoofer. Pretty close to the Servo 15, except smaller.

On the PW2200 I would agree.

On the UltraCube..boomy? BOOMY, not at all. You heard bad room interaction and botched integration. This sub is NOT boomy.

Servo 15 agreed. Clean ,defined and overall a great sub no matter the competition.

DSP series subs...these are B OO Me. At first I was impressed by the overall qualities in HT use...the PW2200 is more musical than the DSP3400!




I agree SVS offers better choices,if you shop for a Servo 15 the new SVS Ultra offers all the SQ of the Servo.Plus better extension and output below 25Hz the Servo cannot match.
Hi.
I just cheched SVS site and they have a "PB-12 Plus" that may well fit the space limitations imposed by the wife.
It is 3 inches less Deep and 1 inch less in Width, and don't mind the hight..
PB13 Ultra 20.5W 22H 27D
PB12 Plus 18 W 25H 25D
The frequency response curve is very good. Funny, choosing a sub by its footprint!!!
Regards

Hi
I checked with the wife. I made a cardboard box of the SVS PB12 dimentions and she has found a place for it.
If it is a good sub, we'll go for it.
Regards

Hi
I checked with the wife. I made a cardboard box of the SVS PB12 dimentions and she has found a place for it.
If it is a good sub, we'll go for it.
Regards

I would go for it. SVS makes great subs both in build quality and more important sound quality. I really believe that if sold in retail stores they'd be double in price and still considered a great buy! Sorry if this sounds like another 'fan boy' post, but hey, I like the sub, what can I say :)

If you can afford it, the servo 15 is amazing and really has some great output ( I have 2 ;) ). That being said, if you can't and your going to spend the $1100 on a sub there are better for the money going the ID route.

Also kpt_krunch what amp does your pw2200 have on it?. It looks like my old 1 I use to have and the new ones have amps with double the power and even more output. I think it was a v2 but I can't remember.. lol

Yep - it's the V.2 with a 400 watt amp that can draw 1200 watts for short term.

Funny, but I tried an experiment with it. I set up the PW nearfield and tried to see how it would sound. It really made my bass sloppy and pretty much unlistenable. I unplugged it and just let the PB Ultra do it's thing, ahhhh, that's better, much much better.

Not really an A/B as they are both in different spots.

However, the absolute biggest difference in these subs is roll off. I forgot about that. With the SVS - once the LFE or bass note is finished playing, that's it, it's almost (though not quite) like a light switch. Well, it probably is a light switch it's my room that is still echoing the bass note a bit. The PW - not a chance, it's still rumbling long after the note has been played. It really makes for sloppy sloppy bass when watching a scene with mulitple LFE's one right after another.

For instance, watching Golden Compass, when the Polar Bear was running across the ice, with both the PW and PB running, it sounded like one steady rumble with the odd (very odd) break or big impact. Now, off goes the PW - and no rumble at all, just BOOOM..BOOOOM..BOOOOM as oppossed to BOOOMbooombooombooobmBOOOMbooombooobm..BOOOMboomboomboombom.

So Q - there's your difference right there. Now, maybe with the more powerful amp the PW doesn't sound as bad. I'm still going to use it in another application. But if/when I want to use a second sub in my room - I'm officially ruined now and I HAVE to buy an SVS (I'll get another Utlra) as nothing else will do!

Hi
I just send for a Quote to Quebec Acoustic for a Velodyne DD-15and I have to phone the Guy back: no quote over the NET.
In the mean time, I ask my preferred dealer, Consumer Distributing in Ville St Pierre and I got a very good price on the Paradigm Servo-15: $500 off the MSRP!!! And the wife would be happy with it. Will compare the 2 prices... I prefer a local dealer as I can exchange it or have it repaired more readily than with a remote dealer...
So, it looks like finally between the Servo-15 and DD-15.... I will take the cheapest...
Thanks for all your time helping me decide...

Keep in mind that the DD-15 does have the built-in SMS-1 eq. That a very powerful and useful feature. If the prices were the same or even close, that puts the Velodyne at a bit of an advantage.

The Servo-15 is ALOT less expensive than the DD15. Maybe times have changed since JL knocked Velo out of the sealed high ladder.

Ok: I will keep that in mind. I am asked $2200 Cdn for the Servo 15. I thouth the Velodyne were fragile things...
The guy will call me back tomorrow. Besides, I can have the Velodyne in maple, same as my floors...
Regards

Hi I am at it again.
It appears there are 2 version of the Paradigm Servo-15: Servo-15 Signature and Servo-15V2. the Signature Model would cost $1000 more...Wonder what is the difference...
Regards

No difference in sound. Much better looking enclosure.

Hi
I received a call early this morning. The Velodyne DD-15 is priced $600 more than the Servo-15.
Since it has SMS-1 eq, and that merchant also carries the Paradigm line: Studio 60, and CC590 et all, I will probably get an even better deal for the whole lot..
When I replace my basement sub, I will consider the SVS BT13
Regards

I have the Servo 15 and it's good for my area which is about the same size as yours, maybe smaller. I have the smaller Studio 40's and Studio CC to go with them. You have a very big space and will have a hard time filling it with a sub. I don't know of too many subs other than the pw2200 that I returned for the Servo because it just didn't do the trick in my listening area. Didn't really fill the room, I don't know, it wasn't right.

I too have a Living room and dining room combo... AND kitchen area... AND hall to upstairs... lol Big open area. So I guess I needed the Servo 15. I would go for it if you can spare the money. You 'may' regret the smaller subs in that big room(s). good luck.


PS I hated to go back to my dealer after a couple of weeks to exchange the sub. He was great about it, but I hate to ask, and lug the thing back and forth etc.. Do it right the first time. lol There's always "better", but you know what I mean.

I have the Servo 15 and it's good for my area which is about the same size as yours, maybe smaller. I have the smaller Studio 40's and Studio CC to go with them. You have a very big space and will have a hard time filling it with a sub. I don't know of too many subs other than the pw2200 that I returned for the Servo because it just didn't do the trick in my listening area. Didn't really fill the room, I don't know, it wasn't right.

I too have a Living room and dining room combo... AND kitchen area... AND hall to upstairs... lol Big open area. So I guess I needed the Servo 15. I would go for it if you can spare the money. You 'may' regret the smaller subs in that big room(s). good luck.


PS I hated to go back to my dealer after a couple of weeks to exchange the sub. He was great about it, but I hate to ask, and lug the thing back and forth etc.. Do it right the first time. lol There's always "better", but you know what I mean.
Hi
Do you mean that the Velodyne DD-15 will have less output than the Paradigm Servo-15?

These are two subs with many similarities aside from the DD's eq. I'd expect the output to be pretty similar between the two.

Hi
Do you mean that the Velodyne DD-15 will have less output than the Paradigm Servo-15?



That's not what I meant, sorry. I don't know anything about the Velodyne. I was just stating you have a big room like mine and you would be better served with a capable sub.

Here's a quote of my post.."I don't know of too many subs other than the pw2200 that I returned for the Servo..." Those are thw only two subs I've ever owned, and the 2200 just wasn't enough for the area. Good luck.