I thought I had made up my mind on my next sub. I was all set on the Velodyne SPL-800R. However, then the SVS PS12-NSD was thrown into my picture. I was told by some that it out preforms the SPL-800R in most all areas.

Prices are pretty similar. What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Those are totally different subs. One is a small sealed subwoofer with moderate output and extension capabilities. The other is a much larger ported subwoofer with a lot more output and deeper extension. In a small to mid-sized room the small SPL-800 will sound good with music and do a decent job with HT. In a similarly sized room, the PB12-NSD will still sound quite good while also having the ability to shake the room and produce deep bass you can feel for HT. The SPL-800 uses a small 8" woofer in a tiny cabinet with a high-powered amplifier. The PB12-NSD uses a much larger 12" woofer in a big cabinet with a decent amplifier. In terms of output and extension, it won't even be close - the PB12-NSD will have far more of both. If size isn't an issue, I'd go with the PB12-NSD, hands down.

The SPL-800R's maximum output is <100db. It's max output below 30hz is not even 90db. It is a very limited sub due to it's size.

I failed to mention that my receiver is an Onkyo TX-SR706

keep the advice coming!!!! You all are awesome!

Both subs will work fine with your Onkyo receiver, so that isn't an issue.

I don't mean to hog the thread but it basically boils down to a couple of things: size requirements and output/use. If your room is very small and you require a tiny sub you can tuck away, the SPL-800 is a decent sub that will sound good with music and provide a little bit of bottom end for movies. It doesn't go very deep, though, so you'll be missing a lot of deep bass in movies. On the other hand, if size isn't a factor, the PB12-NSD will have tons more output. It won't even be close. You'll experience powerful deep bass and even the mid-upper bass will be produced with much more output. Movies will be a completely different experience with the PB12-NSD compared to the SPL-800.

I'm not trying to knock the Velodyne. It's a good sub for those who need a tiny package and don't require high output or deep extension. The design goals are just completely different from the PB12-NSD, and in terms of raw performance for the $$$, the SVS wins out by a huge margin.

My advice as I said earlier is to weigh your priorities. Do you absolutely have to have a tiny, inconspicuous subwoofer? Do you not mind having limited output and extension? If size is the most important factor, go with the Velodyne; if not, the SVS is the clear choice.

Size is not an issue. I'm willing to larger for better preformance.

I am very strongly leaning toward the SVS from what you have said.

With that said, I have a few questions, and pardon if they are stupid questions. My knowledge set is limited in certain areas.

-The SPL-800R had an auto off feature....When the reciever turns off, it would know it was off thus turning itself off. Additionally there was a remote that could turn it off and on. The PB12-NSD from what I can see dosn't offer either one of these. So does that mean whenever I'm done using my system, I have to get up and reach behind the sub to turn it off? I'm sure I'm missing an obvious feature here.

-From looking at the ports on the back of the PB12, it has an outstanding set of options, however, I don't see the option to use a single RCA style cable to connect to a receiver's sub-out? Again, I think my ignorance is getting the best of me on this one.

The PB12 has an auto-on feature. You don't have to switch it on and off. A single cable is all you need to hook it up. Sub-out to either the right or left low-level inputs.