Ok, I know this has been done to death but I think I'm going to go with a SVS. My room is 12x14 with 8 feet ceiling. The PB12 is $200 more than the PB10 from a local auth dealer in Canada. Am I going to see a notable difference in performance in such a room with the PB12 over the PB10? I'd like to save $200 if possible, but if it's worth it I'll get the pB12.

The most noticeable difference would be an increase of output by about 50% with the PB12. How loud do you like to listen?

The most noticeable difference would be an increase of output by about 50% with the PB12. How loud do you like to listen?

My receiver volume never goes past -18. It's usually around -25 for music and -20 for movies, depending on the track.

I'm thinking the PB10 would do the trick for you, but be aware that once you get the taste of real bass, it can become addicting and can make you crave more volume.

Thanks. Right now, I have the Velodyne DPS12. Still have a week left to return it. My plan was to compare the Velo and the SVS to see which would suit me better. I really like how the bass feels "big", probably due to the 12" in the Velo, but it seems slow for music. I can tell that it's got problems with accuracy in its bass. So I'm wondering if the 10" PB10 can recreate that big bass feel - or is that only inherent to the woofer size?

I say go with the 12, if you can afford it.
Always better to have more , than less. You can just dial it down, and if you ever move to a bigger place, you wont have to upgrade.
I just went with the A3-300 for a room which is 11x11x8.
The thinking is to get the most you can afford unless size constraints come into play, such as in my situation.

I've got the pb12nsd in a 15x18x8 room. It does fine but I would not want anything less, well two pb10 would be good but I got a deal on the pb12.

I listen at moderate or slightly above levels and fairly flat eq (no huge boost on the sub).

My receiver volume never goes past -18. It's usually around -25 for music and -20 for movies, depending on the track.

Depending on the receiver and where you calibrate 85db at that can be loud. Save money get the Pb12 if you like movies loud. otherwise you will want to upgrade. Modest levels the Pb10 is great

The PB10-NSD is very capable in a small room. It should have a lot more output than the DPS-12 below 35-40hz. The DPS-12 might have a small output advantage above 50hz. If you feel like you're pushing the DPS-12 pretty hard, I'd recommend going to the PB12-NSD to be on the safe side. On the other hand, if the DPS-12 doesn't seem to be breaking a sweat during any of your listening sessions, the PB10-NSD will probably be enough. However, as others have said, good bass is addicting. I'd personally go for the PB12-NSD so you aren't having those "what if" thoughts a couple of months after you buy the PB10.

i've owned the pb10 for 3 or 4 years now. the sub is fine but i highly recommend spending a few hundred more and getting better because, imo, the few hundred extra you spend for say an Epik Caliber (the sub i bought for my dad, which blows away my pb10 imo) or any of the new hot subs like MFW-15 will be so worth it because of the better sound quality (head room, etc) and peace of mind. i've played the same tracks using my pb10 in my ht room, which has great acoustics, versus my dad's Caliber in his terrible room. and the Epik destroyed the pb10. there's just no comparison in the texture of the sound, teh authority with which the Epik hits and so forth. and that's just the caliber. imagine going up to the Castle with the better amp and/or driver (can't remember) for $999. teh Castle would probably tear apart my pb10 like a pitbull would a chihuaha (ok, that's a gruesome analogy).

anyways my 2 cents is not to jump on the svs because they are a few hundred cheaper. yeah they have flat FR but there's more to a sub than FR imo. too bad u can't listen to all these great subs without the expense of buying and paying shipping for returns.

I'm in Canada. SVS is our ONLY option. It's too expensive to order subs from State and all my relatives live in Florida or L.A so I can't even drive to their place to pick it up.

Pb12 is one of Svs best buys. if you like LOUD get that. If not the Pb10 will be plenty. -18 on my receiver is loud. So imo you will want the extra headroom. If space is a problem then the smaller sub

Thanks. Right now, I have the Velodyne DPS12. Still have a week left to return it. My plan was to compare the Velo and the SVS to see which would suit me better. I really like how the bass feels "big", probably due to the 12" in the Velo, but it seems slow for music. I can tell that it's got problems with accuracy in its bass. So I'm wondering if the 10" PB10 can recreate that big bass feel - or is that only inherent to the woofer size?

no, its not really inherit to the woofer size all the time. In fact larger woofers are generally more accurate. in fact, all things being equal larger woofers are exactly that: more accurate. no such thing as "speed" in acoustics,well at least its not important for sound quality. surprisingly many manufactures even tout that marketing nonsense around, but do you really think the engineers write sales literature very often?

What you're likely hearing is the problems with your room.

having said that, I would opt for the 12" SVS for more headroom, spl and less distortion. whats 200 more bucks a year from now when you still have your subwoofer anyway :)

Also, I'm trying to keep it more tight and less boomy. I keep the sub nearfield so I can feel the tactile effects more as my room is in a weird L shaped pattern. My Velodyne sub is rated at 200w and I don't feel I'm pushing it at all. The PB10 is 300w. That's why I'm wondering if I need the PB12 at all. And chances are my sub won't be in a 2000+Cuf for a long time as I have student loans to pay off. I'll get the PB12 if it sounds better in my room.

Also, I'm trying to keep it more tight and less boomy. I keep the sub nearfield so I can feel the tactile effects more as my room is in a weird L shaped pattern. My Velodyne sub is rated at 200w and I don't feel I'm pushing it at all. The PB10 is 300w. That's why I'm wondering if I need the PB12 at all. And chances are my sub won't be in a 2000+Cuf for a long time as I have student loans to pay off. I'll get the PB12 if it sounds better in my room.

Good idea. That's ultimately the best way to know what sub is best for you - demo them in your own home with your own gear and find out first hand :). I think either would work well, but to help stave off upgraditus, I'd recommend the PB12-NSD. But again, let your own ears decide.

so the pb12 is $170 more. and you don't feel like you'd be pushing the pb10 hard.

then i recommend, getting the pb10 and spending the $170 on shakers or a couple of BK minis. that package will make more difference than the pb12 alone (it's not like the pb12 is some amazing sub that's in a different league than the pb10; we're not comparing a Conquest to a Sony sub here). if you don't have an old receiver to use as an amp, then throw in another $100 for an amp.