I have a PB13 Ultra getting here on Monday, it's replacing a Servo 15 V.1 that went bad. I'm new to SVS sub's and ported subs. I'm looking for setup advice and what setup differences will I run into over a Servo 15. Can someone explain the port plugs and how that works? I have an X30 that controls my Servo 15, could this sub be controlled with it? if I like this sub as much as I think I will, I will end up with two of them.

The manual will explain the tuning options. Which you use is totally subjective and somewhat room dependent. You plug the ports in conjunction with the selectable tuning switch on the amp. I get a flatter response in my room with a 15hz tune and one port plugged. I'm sure you can use the X30. I know nothing about it, but I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work.

You can download the manual ahead of time here if you want:

http://www.svsound.com/manuals/SVS_v2008.3_PB13-Ultra_PC13-Ultra.pdf

Thanks, I downloaded it. If your used to a sealed sub, would just run this one sealed?

Thanks, I downloaded it. If your used to a sealed sub, would just run this one sealed?No

You can run it in sealed mode, but you will lose tons of SPL capability if you do.

No I wouldn't consider that mode to be the Ultra's forte, but it can depend on the characteristics of your room. If you have a small closed room, it may work well.

I would suggest starting with the 20hz tune and just play with it and see how it sounds, most folks seem to either run 20hz or 15hz. Thinking you are gonna be digging your new sub alot, let us know!


Enjoy!

Redhouse

All most a year ago I replaced 2 servo 15's with 2 PB13. I run them at 15hz (one port plugged). You will be a very happer camper come Monday. The Ultra's will hit a lot harder and cleaner than the servo. They still put a smile on my face after a year.

Post your thoughts if you can pull yourself away from the Ultra.:D

Brad

It's here and I can't get over the size of the box, I still have the Servo 15 box and it's 1/2 this size. I'll have to wait until tonight to have a friend come over help me move it down stairs into the HT. I can't wait to check it out!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h311/Redhouse-Home-Theater/SVS.jpg

pictures please! :)

what finish / grill did you select?

I'm blown away to say the least! I un-packed this bad boy and got it all setup and calibrated last night. I left it set like is was from the factory and my Rotel Pre is controlling all the settings. My room is a dedicated room and it's very treated.

I got out all my favorite movies with huge bass like U571, War of the Worlds and a bunch of other stuff and for HT bass, this subs kill's. I don't think I have heard a sub that hit's like this one does. It made things move in my room the Servo never did and sitting 17' away in the first row you felt it in ways the Servo never made you. It handled every movie I throw at it with ease, I am very impressed.

Now for Music, I'm a musician and I'm very picky about how my music sounds. It's one of the reasons I love the Paradigm Reference speakers and the Servo 15. I listened to a bunch of Blues, Jazz and Rock through this sub and I think it's a musical sub. The PB13 did a nice job leaving the notes sound real, I didn't hear any extra noise that shouldn't be there. When I put on some stuff that had an Acoustic Bass, which was in my own recordings. I did notice that the Servo 15 sounds more refined, some more clarity in the notes. But not by a whole lot or even enough that most people would even notice.

In the last month I got to try out a JL F113 and a new Servo V2 and while I really liked both of them, the PB13 hands down competes and very easily keeps me from spending the extra cash, which I could, if I thought it was worth it.

I really dig this sub!

pictures please! :)

what finish / grill did you select?

I'll take some tonight, I got the textured black and fabric grill. I didn't need a better finish because the carpet is black and around the screen wall is black. I'll take a picture of it sitting next to the Servo 15, it's a lot bigger. :D

Congrats! It's a great sub. I love mine...:)

In my room, one of the things I found was that the Ultra was just a tad too much for music when calibrated flat with my mains, which I run large/full range. I recalibrated to 70dbs vs 73dbs and changed the tuning to 15hz and it tamed it down to that hint of added depth that you only notice when it's gone. Play with it, you might find there's no downside at all. That said, I only use the sub for HT and multi-channel music anymore. My Polk SDAs play better without the sub for 2 channel.

can you show us some pics of the sub itself. :)

as i stated in the svs thread. i ordered the pb13-u this morning. rep said it will be here friday or monday... i am excited to say the least!!

Now for Music, I'm a musician and I'm very picky about how my music sounds. It's one of the reasons I love the Paradigm Reference speakers and the Servo 15. I listened to a bunch of Blues, Jazz and Rock through this sub and I think it's a musical sub. The PB13 did a nice job leaving the notes sound real, I didn't hear any extra noise that shouldn't be there. When I put on some stuff that had an Acoustic Bass, which was in my own recordings. I did notice that the Servo 15 sounds more refined, some more clarity in the notes. But not by a whole lot or even enough that most people would even notice.

I've had a PC Ultra for almost a year. And over the course of that time I have dialed BACK the sub a tad to refine and define the bass response in my room. I'm talking about looking at that gain knob and deciding to touch it ever so lightly. And then playing with +/- .5 db settings on the pre/pro for radio or DVD or TV.

But my best clean up came just last week when I employed an idle set of sorbothane "pucks" under the sub. Wow!! Major improvement. But I don't think they make them anymore.

I suggest an Auralex "subdude" or two to give you the best of both worlds.

Clean and powerful bass for music and movies.

Here is a picture of the Ultra sitting next to the Servo 15 it's replacing.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h311/Redhouse-Home-Theater/subs.jpg

I'm blown away to say the least! I un-packed this bad boy and got it all setup and calibrated last night. I left it set like is was from the factory and my Rotel Pre is controlling all the settings. My room is a dedicated room and it's very treated.

I got out all my favorite movies with huge bass like U571, War of the Worlds and a bunch of other stuff and for HT bass, this subs kill's. I don't think I have heard a sub that hit's like this one does. It made things move in my room the Servo never did and sitting 17' away in the first row you felt it in ways the Servo never made you. It handled every movie I throw at it with ease, I am very impressed.

Now for Music, I'm a musician and I'm very picky about how my music sounds. It's one of the reasons I love the Paradigm Reference speakers and the Servo 15. I listened to a bunch of Blues, Jazz and Rock through this sub and I think it's a musical sub. The PB13 did a nice job leaving the notes sound real, I didn't hear any extra noise that shouldn't be there. When I put on some stuff that had an Acoustic Bass, which was in my own recordings. I did notice that the Servo 15 sounds more refined, some more clarity in the notes. But not by a whole lot or even enough that most people would even notice.

In the last month I got to try out a JL F113 and a new Servo V2 and while I really liked both of them, the PB13 hands down competes and very easily keeps me from spending the extra cash, which I could, if I thought it was worth it.

I really dig this sub!

Congrats....may i say I told ya so:D