Well boys the day is finally here. This morning I made the quick drive to pick up my PB-13 after I finally sold my 16-46+.

The sucker is HEAVY...LOL I did manage to get it into the house myself but it took some sliding of the box and then more sliding down the steps. I just couldn't wait til my buddy could stop over to help.

Anyways I just finished dialing it in and tweeking the EQ....she is almost flat as a pancake. I'm using the front corner placement because to me it just sounds better. For now I'm using the 20hz tune since I'm pretty flat to about 18hz in my room.

I should comment that the textured black sub looks amazing....everything about this sub is well done and looks good!

Now comes the fun part....testing. The sub is dialed in about 2-3db hot...my room is about 2000cu ft mostly sealed except 2 doorways.

First up Flight of the Phoneix DVD in DTS.

Master Volume -10....I am hitting peaks of 114db and I feel like the room is coming down with the plane in the movie. This is simply unreal. The sound is deep and pressurizes the room, yet somehow remains quick and articulate....very impressive. I think I could even push it more...but damn the mains and center are loud....


Next WOTW in DTS

Master volume -10...Just played the lightning strike scene and it really was impressive. How quick this sub is amazes me. The "oh say can you.....BOOM" part where the lightning strikes hit 112db in 20hz tune!!! I felt like it hit me in the chest.

Now the scene that gave my PC+ trouble. When the cop comes on and tells everyone to get out....the Ultra just hit 115db without sweating....what was sweating was the light fixtures and everything else in the room!

The lazers were something new....just a different sound. Very cool and impactful.

The tanker explosion also shook everything and hit 114db. Wow



U571 DVD DTS Master Volume -10

I really felt for the first time this movie LFE sounded right. This time I felt like the depth charges were exploding around me...not only the SHAKE, but the impact.


PULSE DVD Master Volume -6db

In 20hz mode I heard no funny farting sound even at this volume....peaks were coming in at 111db. Sounded clean as can be. I pushed it to reference level and I heard slight port chuffing but I was hitting 115db from the LP and still no funny farting or clapping sound, although I did hear a little rattle internally which might just be a wire tapping against the ports, but I really had to nit-pick to hear it.


AH HUH! Just figured something out. I can get that little internal rattle to go away just by plugging the center port and tuning it to 15 hz. The rattle is comming from the center port, but this is a happy, easy fix and clearly I have the headroom to make the swtich.



NOW...First Blu Ray Cloverfield.

This is why I bought this sub! The TRUEHD track on this is very demanding and the Ultra kicks ***. The depth and power it has with this movie is unreal. I don't know what else to say except I'm impressed.

congrats. great to hear. too bad thread will be locked tho :(

congrats. great to hear. too bad thread will be locked tho :(

Why will it be locked...there are others like this too?

Have fun with the new toy, bro! Don't hurt yourself! :D

Congrats on the purchase. So when are you going to get a second one. :cool:

Congrats...just about the same numbers I get...but I'm at reference (calibrated at -15, sub @ 71dbs). I hear you about demoing at that volume. The sub sounds fine, but the rest of the FR is so loud, I don't want to push it anymore. Also, you had better watch out for clipping your AVR at those high levels. I'm outputting over 150 watts easy at reference and with some peaks doubling that.

I'll get a 2nd when I get a bigger room! Anything more and my house might fall down.

Remember these numbers I'm giving you are uncorrected.....these are just straight readings from the SPL meter without the correction factors....so the lower freq SPL I'm getting is clearly more than the reading is showing :)

sounds like the best thing since slice bread....or perhaps the 8th wonder of the world?

congrats.

Well boys the day is finally here. This morning I made the quick drive to pick up my PB-13 after I finally sold my 16-46+.

The sucker is HEAVY...LOL I did manage to get it into the house myself but it took some sliding of the box and then more sliding down the steps. I just couldn't wait til my buddy could stop over to help.

Anyways I just finished dialing it in and tweeking the EQ....she is almost flat as a pancake. I'm using the front corner placement because to me it just sounds better. For now I'm using the 20hz tune since I'm pretty flat to about 18hz in my room.

I should comment that the textured black sub looks amazing....everything about this sub is well done and looks good!

Now comes the fun part....testing. The sub is dialed in about 2-3db hot...my room is about 2000cu ft mostly sealed except 2 doorways.

First up Flight of the Phoneix DVD in DTS.

Master Volume -10....I am hitting peaks of 114db and I feel like the room is coming down with the plane in the movie. This is simply unreal. The sound is deep and pressurizes the room, yet somehow remains quick and articulate....very impressive. I think I could even push it more...but damn the mains and center are loud....


Next WOTW in DTS

Master volume -10...Just played the lightning strike scene and it really was impressive. How quick this sub is amazes me. The "oh say can you.....BOOM" part where the lightning strikes hit 112db in 20hz tune!!! I felt like it hit me in the chest.

Now the scene that gave my PC+ trouble. When the cop comes on and tells everyone to get out....the Ultra just hit 115db without sweating....what was sweating was the light fixtures and everything else in the room!

The lazers were something new....just a different sound. Very cool and impactful.

The tanker explosion also shook everything and hit 114db. Wow



U571 DVD DTS Master Volume -10

I really felt for the first time this movie LFE sounded right. This time I felt like the depth charges were exploding around me...not only the SHAKE, but the impact.


PULSE DVD Master Volume -6db

In 20hz mode I heard no funny farting sound even at this volume....peaks were coming in at 111db. Sounded clean as can be. I pushed it to reference level and I heard slight port chuffing but I was hitting 115db from the LP and still no funny farting or clapping sound, although I did hear a little rattle internally which might just be a wire tapping against the ports, but I really had to nit-pick to hear it.


AH HUH! Just figured something out. I can get that little internal rattle to go away just by plugging the center port and tuning it to 15 hz. The rattle is comming from the center port, but this is a happy, easy fix and clearly I have the headroom to make the swtich.



NOW...First Blu Ray Cloverfield.

This is why I bought this sub! The TRUEHD track on this is very demanding and the Ultra kicks ***. The depth and power it has with this movie is unreal. I don't know what else to say except I'm impressed.

I would think carefully about running your PB-13 in 15Hz tune (just to get rid of an unwanted noise from the sub).

This is what Ilkka had to say:

"Yes, the 15 Hz tune is a very balanced option. It loses 1-1.5 db in clean output compared to the 20 Hz tune above ~20 Hz, but gives more extension and higher output below ~20 Hz. If one doesn't constantly push the subwoofer to its limits, I think the added extension of the 15 Hz tune will be more beneficial than the higher ouput of the 20 Hz tune."

"Unless the PB-13 is being overdriven, its distortion won't be audible to most people. The absolute amount of THD stays very low even at high output levels, and is also consists of low order harmonics so it's very hard to hear."

Switching from 20 Hz tune to 15 Hz tune to eliminate a noise that probably shouldn't be there may not be the best way for you to go. Those of us who have followed your ouput threads based on various DVDs know that you might end up overdriving your PB-13.

The last think you want is to bottom your PB-13 out.

1) I would call SVS and ask about the noise.
2) Think about whether you are a good candidate to use 15 Hz tune. There may be enough spectrum graphs to help you decide if you are better off with that 1.5 Db above 20 Hz or below 20 Hz.

Are you sure that you won't be one of those people who IS constantly pushing the PB-13 to its limits? Do yourself a favor and find out from SVS what the rattle is and go from there.

I would think carefully about running your PB-13 in 15Hz tune (just to get rid of an unwanted noise from the sub).

This is what Ilkka had to say:

"Yes, the 15 Hz tune is a very balanced option. It loses 1-1.5 db in clean output compared to the 20 Hz tune above ~20 Hz, but gives more extension and higher output below ~20 Hz. If one doesn't constantly push the subwoofer to its limits, I think the added extension of the 15 Hz tune will be more beneficial than the higher ouput of the 20 Hz tune."

"Unless the PB-13 is being overdriven, its distortion won't be audible to most people. The absolute amount of THD stays very low even at high output levels, and is also consists of low order harmonics so it's very hard to hear."

Switching from 20 Hz tune to 15 Hz tune to eliminate a noise that probably shouldn't be there may not be the best way for you to go. Those of us who have followed your ouput threads based on various DVDs know that you might end up overdriving your PB-13.

The last think you want is to bottom your PB-13 out.

1) I would call SVS and ask about the noise.
2) Think about whether you are a good candidate to use 15 Hz tune. There may be enough spectrum graphs to help you decide if you are better off with that 1.5 Db above 20 Hz or below 20 Hz.

Are you sure that you won't be one of those people who IS constantly pushing the PB-13 to its limits? Do yourself a favor and find out from SVS what the rattle is and go from there.


Thanks for the advice....I should have noted those tests were all about 2-3db LOUDER than I'd even watch the movie. Thus the sub would be 2-3db lower and more within the range. Trust me the last thing I want to do is hurt my new "baby". The 15hz tune really sounded good to me and I've watching a few bits of movies in the past couple hours and I do like the extra depth, but you are probably right about the rattle....To me, it just sounds like something is tapping the center tube.

Congrats Brad. Glad you like it. Fits perfect under the screen and with the lights off it should disappear nicely. How would you describe the sound compared to the pc+?

I have taken your advice and gone back to 20hz for now....I figured out that the port itself was making the noise...i kind of pushed on the front of it and the noise stopped....so we will see!

MK..the sound is very different. "faster" "more articulate" those would be phrases I would use. Now, should everyone go run off and get rid of their plus for this....NO, because my plus was one hell of a subwoofer. I just wanted something more, and it cost more. :)

Brad, I think if you ever play any music through it, you'll hear more of a difference...impact and punch with no overhang. The Plus subs are very good for HT though of lesser output.

congrats brad.
2k room? use the 15hz tune, there's more than enough headroom.

i just tried my quads in 10hz mode, and except for the extra airconditioning from the ports, i don't think i noticed something different, i'll be going back to 15hz mode.

I did in fact just switch back. I like the sound better. Plus I have a pretty good room gain down low, so the 15hz works to my advantage.

This week I should be getting Batman Begins and Master and Commander on Blu Ray.

I had both on DVD, but I sold them on Ebay and I'm getting the HD versions. Should be a sound treat with the new PB-13 :)

Congrats man!:D I feel your joy as I recently added one of these to my setup and love it. Check out some high quality music when you get a chance.....:eek:

Congrats Brad! I had a feeling you would be blown away by the PB13 if you made the switch. Enjoy!

Cheers,
Ross

what about the darla scene? did you test that yet?

Ya I did give Darla a run. The pounding sound really was something fun. I felt like a fish in a tank that was being pounded on. I used my normal listening volume of -10 for this movie and was hitting about 111-112db. The room though just seemed to come alive a lot more...the sound was fuller and all around me.

I just watched WALK THE LINE in DTS...the beginning has some wonderful musical bass and I was blown away by the PB-13. Just a 100% totally different sound than I heard with my 16-46+.

The PC+ was good/great don't get me wrong, but the PB-13 makes me actually notice every single nuance there is to that beat. This is not an SPL scene at all (I was around 102db just with the subwoofer on), but it really made me understand just what you guys are talking about in terms of its musicality!

:)

Brad, can you post some in-room graphs of your PB13 like you did with your PC+? Would be interesting to see the difference.

They are virtually the same....I had to flatten the 25-45hz area to get it close to the 60-80hz area.

The plus is that I have more headroom across the entire freq range and the sound is much more articulate, so I am very pleased with the upgrade.

The ONLY way I'm going to get it perfect is some room treatments and probably dual subs. I think the front position for the PB-13 is perfect...the beside the couch position or the opposite end of the screen near the left front would be good for another sub that would hopefully give extra headroom I'd need to really get it flat. Right now 20-45hz is about 5db higher than 45-80...which is OK with me because it sound great! :D

But right now my spending money days on the theater are on MAJOR hold. I already preordered SCS-01 mains since they were 10% off. They will be here in October. After that I'm broke and I need to start saving money!

Maybe a year or two down the road I'll add a 2nd Ultra, or maybe even take on building a boxed sub for fun...but for right now the single ultra is plenty sweet :)

They are virtually the same....I had to flatten the 25-45hz area to get it close to the 60-80hz area.

The plus is that I have more headroom across the entire freq range and the sound is much more articulate, so I am very pleased with the upgrade.

Maybe a year or two down the road I'll add a 2nd Ultra, or maybe even take on building a boxed sub for fun...but for right now the single ultra is plenty sweet :)

Very cool Brad, you will get great enjoyment from your system for quite a long time I'm sure!

Cheers,
Ross

Very cool Brad, you will get great enjoyment from your system for quite a long time I'm sure!

Cheers,
Ross

Here is the graph :)

Before and after.

I tamed down the 25-50hz and just added a couple db to the dip from 50-60hz.

Pretty level and I don't mind the EXTRA db under 45hz since I do like the bass :)


ps....I'm running 20hz mode

That looks like a nice response with a modest house curve. Should sound good. When you have a chance, try a measurement at 15hz tune.

it seems to be dipping too early for the 20hz tune, i would guess it's a room location problem.

it seems to be dipping too early for the 20hz tune, i would guess it's a room location problem.

Agreed, something is rolling that off a bit early...

I thought so too...but in both placements it does the same thing. So I picked the better of the two placement options.

I'll run a 15hz tune graph today too mojo.

Dark Blue is 20hz tune

Red is 15hz tune

Light Blue is 10hz tune


All using the EQ setting I had for 20hz tune.

There ya go.... the red shows that you have a null at 20hz which is probably why the 20hz setting is rolling off early....

Yes, that 15hz trace certainly confirms some sort of room or placement related suck-out at 20hz. In actualty it may not be all that audible. The 15hz tune, however, should give you more "feel" during certain movie soundtracks with significant content below 20hz. Notice how little efficiency is lost when going from 20hz tune to 15 hz.

There ya go.... the red shows that you have a null at 20hz which is probably why the 20hz setting is rolling off early....

He had the same issue as with the 16-46....

Same issue because it is a room issue. What the PB-13 gives me is more headroom to adjust, and much better sound quality :)

The 20hz dip isn't really that noticeable when watching.

Congrats! Glad you are enjoying it. It's one heck of a sub.

Transformers in BLU RAY tonight boys!

PB-13 should enjoy this one!

That should be fun! Quick, order up a second a put them both at 15hz tune. Ahaha! :D

If I had the money Scott I'd have 2 tuned to 15....maybe 3 tuned to 10...

:)

Transformers in BLU RAY tonight boys!

PB-13 should enjoy this one!

So, did you get to watch Transformers yet? I'm interested in your impressions :D

i wonder if there's a difference between the bass of the HD DVD, BD and SD DVD versions of Transformers

i wonder if there's a difference between the bass of the HD DVD, BD and SD DVD versions of Transformers

I wonder that as well. The BD has a TrueHD track, while my HD DVD version has a Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack. The Blu-ray version might have slightly better sound. I might double dip because my HD DVD has a certain scene with an annoying distorted sound when Megan Fox says one of her lines and it bugs the crap out of me every time the scene comes on (I hate being so anal like this but I can't help it!!). Besides it might be fun to compare the soundtracks anyway :)

yeah, im asking because the HD DVD does nothing to me in terms of bass.

i did watch the Island last night. now, that's wow!

back OT:
hey bgilly, nobody buys 3! it's 1, 2, 4 ... :D

yeah, im asking because the HD DVD does nothing to me in terms of bass.

Agreed - I found it to be very inconsistent. Some scenes had deep powerful LFE, while others that seemed like they *should* have earth shattering bass were very disappointing. One thing that I found was that at least for me, Transformers' bass was MUCH better near reference levels. Some movies seem to deliver good bass impact at much lower master volume settings, but Transformers really needed to be cranked before it had decent impact IMO. Of course even near reference, it didn't seem to be as LFE heavy as it could have been. Just my opinion, though.

yeah, when I see shockwaves on screen, i'd expect to be blown away ... literally.

Here is the problem with Transformers.

We expect things because we love movies and bass, but the makers just didn't do it.

The shockwave scene just doesn't have a powerful LFE track. I don't know why the producers didn't do it, but they didn't.

No matter what format you watch it will still be the same.

NOW>..the Blu-Ray was an upgrade for sure in the audio department vs the SD-DVD. Bass seemed more powerful, but there wasn't "more" bass in the track. The BluRay just improved the quality not the quantity of the bass. One scene that really impressed me was after the infamous ironhide FLIP. Sure that scene sounded great....but after that there is a lot of gunfire from the Transformers. The PB-13 with the TrueHD track brought those gunshots to LIFE on the LFE channel. There wasn't MORE bass per say, but the bass felt different...in a good good good way!

To be honest I ended up running the TrueHD track at -5db (I use a PS3 and the HD tracks run about 4db lower than normal DD tracks). So really the -5db TRUEHD was the same volume as a -9db DD SD-DVD track in terms of volume.

Now the TRUEHD track was much clearer and much more defined to my ears. What was interesting was that I ran the sub about 4db HOT.

I have my system set up where my sub level is at 0db and that is equal to about 73-76db C weighting SLOW on my digital SPL meter. While watching the movie I gradually bumped the SW level to +4 and the PB-13 showed not even a remote sign of strain...in fact I really think there was a LOT more headroom to go, but I have no desire to push it SO HARD that it eventually breaks down...I want this to last me MANY MANY years, and no matter how great a sub it is, it will eventually break down. (ALL Subs are made of moving parts which will eventually wear out).

I do not have a large space to fill. My downstairs theater is about 1800cuft. There is one door size opening to the other side of the basement, and 1 stairwell opening that goes upstairs (but at the top of the steps is a door that is shut). I run the gain of the sub about the 2nd notch on the amp with the Parametric EQ on, that gets me to that 73-76db level for the sub channel.

People have this sub running in MUCH MUCH larger rooms with no problems at the same levels I am running. That means they are pushing their sub even harder than me to get proper bass levels.....So I'm sure I have more headroom to spare since I have such a small room.

All that being said....The Audio was great on Blu-Ray and the video was stunning on a 1080p 100inch screen :)

PS....I will RE-Watch this in October when I get my new mains. I am getting a pair of SCS Mains to replace my SBS mains. I will then have all SCS fronts, and 2 SBS side surrounds, and 2 generic back surrounds. I have a feeling that the new fronts in combination with moving my SBS's to the surrounds should give me a really good improvement in overall sound and dynamics! :D

I am a little surprised by the lack of enthusiasm from some of you guys for the LFE/bass on this title. I have listened to the DD+ track at 1/2 db from reference with my PB13/ 12-2 Ultra combo (12x17.5 enclosed room, about 1500 cuft)and I would rank it among the top 3 best LFE/bass movies in my collection. How much louder is the TrueHD track over the DD+? Is it about 4db?

I also think the bass is good, but there are many movies with more bass. I really believe the bass is recorded hot on the other movies so if you turn the lfe up 5 db's on transformers it is a whole new experience.

MK I agree....3-5db HOTTER than normal is needed for this movie.

I don't know about the DD+ track.

But compared to the standard DD track the TRUEHD plays about 4db LOWER via my PS3.

To compensate I simply up the volume notch 4db and BOOM...I'm listening at the same volume when compared.

That should be fun! Quick, order up a second a put them both at 15hz tune. Ahaha! :D

115Db at 15Hz? :p

Now listen to it with the LFE up 5 db's more(make sure you have enough headroom). The DD+ track is the same way. Actually with the DD+ track reference levels is turning up the MV 5 db's as the whole movie is recorded lower(or others are hot).

Now listen to it with the LFE up 5 db's more(make sure you have enough headroom). The DD+ track is the same way. Actually with the DD+ track reference levels is turning up the MV 5 db's as the whole movie is recorded lower(or others are hot).

I have my subs running hot so that may be why it is great as is, plus I have a room induced hump that I leave intact in the 40hz and below range for movies (music I flatten out completely via SMS-1). But I run it this way for all action and big LFE type movies so they all have the same bump in LFE and it is still one of my favorites for LFE/bass.

BTW guys, with that big sonic wave it does rattle my room, just not as much as WOTW. Just turn it up.

Next WOTW in DTS

Master volume -10...Just played the lightning strike scene and it really was impressive. How quick this sub is amazes me. The "oh say can you.....BOOM" part where the lightning strikes hit 112db in 20hz tune!!! I felt like it hit me in the chest.

Now the scene that gave my PC+ trouble. When the cop comes on and tells everyone to get out....the Ultra just hit 115db without sweating....what was sweating was the light fixtures and everything else in the room!

The lazers were something new....just a different sound. Very cool and impactful.

The tanker explosion also shook everything and hit 114db. Wow



.

Holy cow man! You're listening to the WOTW DTS track at -10 MV? I listen at -25 MV 'cause it's so hot and still hit 106 dB with my set up. Jeesh. At -10 my ears would bleed. That's with -15 dB being 72 dB with Avia II (75 dB for the sub).

Maybe the 1018 has a different volume scale than the 1015?

Holy cow man! You're listening to the WOTW DTS track at -10 MV? I listen at -25 MV 'cause it's so hot and still hit 106 dB with my set up. Jeesh. At -10 my ears would bleed. That's with -15 dB being 72 dB with Avia II (75 dB for the sub).

Maybe the 1018 has a different volume scale than the 1015?


NO...my 75db for the sub is at 0db.

So really your -25MV is DEAD EQUAL to my -10 MV :)

NO...my 75db for the sub is at 0db.

So really your -25MV is DEAD EQUAL to my -10 MV :)

That's good to know! :) Calibration is a good thing.

Holy cow man! You're listening to the WOTW DTS track at -10 MV? I listen at -25 MV 'cause it's so hot and still hit 106 dB with my set up. Jeesh. At -10 my ears would bleed. That's with -15 dB being 72 dB with Avia II (75 dB for the sub).

Maybe the 1018 has a different volume scale than the 1015?

never too much bass, or power. :D :p

Hey Brad, what's up man? I haven't been around for awhile. I noticed you picked up a new toy? What did you do with your other sub? Did you drive to SVS to pick yours up? Do you think selling my 3.3 with tubo and adding the 13ultra will be a major improvement due to the size of my room? Should I just another 3.3 or swap it out for the new sub?

I'd love to come to your crib th check it out... I owe you one anyway.

le bump