I am looking at an svs sub for my ht in my basement. I would greatly appreciate any opinions on which is better and why. Or is it strictly individual preferance.

http://www.svsound.com/questions-faqs.cfm

Individual preference. I prefer the cylinders because they are easier to move around, imo look better than a box sitting against the wall, slightly less shipping charge and give me more placement options.

Providing your comparaing equivilant models of each it would be strictly preference.

I like the cylinders as well and with my how I have my home theater set up, I can set two side by side.

I also chose a cylinder over a box. They take up way less space and are easier to move around. I also like how they look "different". I think they match better in terms of looks with my tower speakers than a traditional box sub.

I agree I like the different look about them. More of a conversation piece than the typical box sub is.

I've read a couple threads where owners of both has said that they prefer the box sound over the PC..

They said the box sounded more powerful, deeper, more impact....

I cannot attest to this because I only have the PB-12NSD which is a box....I would have gotten the PC for all the reaons here (easier to move, looks cool, more placement options becaue of the smaller footing), but I got a nice deal on my PB-12 b-stock...

same here, i got a pb-12 plus from b-stock while researching the cylinder sub. ultimately getting an $1100 sub for $800 because of an invisible cosmetic flaw(cloudy finish? can't see it) made my choice real easy.
however, the space thing mentioned above is a big deal as the pb12 is a giant and the wife is still learning to accept the size of it :o
if space is an issue go cylinder, but be warned, even the small ones are really tall!

the sound though is amazing compared to my old definitive pro-sub 80 which was about 6x smaller than this one.

I've both cylinder & sealed box (SB12+ & PC+25-31), i would say from my listening experience that box sub delivers more mid bass (extra punch) but not goes low as PC+ cylinder.

The svs boxes make good end tables too, haha

i chose cylinder (20-39PCi) over the box sub, which i just recieved this afternoon. i love how it looks. its unique. and i wanted something just a little bit different. its an amazing sub.

I have the 20-39 PCI+

On a value for the money, you get more with the cylinders than Boxes. I prefer the look of cylinders. One guy came over and actually thought I had a furnace behind my couch. It's a "Shock and Awe" equipment - literally! :cool:

Boxes, errrr Plant Stands are for girlie men. :-)

if svs says both cylinders and boxes sound the same ...
how come a lot of people comment otherwise ...

I have the 25-31PCi. The smaller footprint is nice, as has been stated, allowing more placement options. Add the WOW! factor for all the guys (as long as the WAF is < or = ) LOL! and I think it beats a box. I've never owned one of the big box subs (had a little 8 incher before) to compare sound differences, but I can tell you it more than gets the job done for the 3000 cubic feet I have!

I had a 20-39+ for a while and replaced it with a +/2. I did like the sound of the cylinder a little more and it did have a sweeter voice. But I needed more volume and traded it in on the +/2. I could have gone with dual 20-39s, but that would have been $500 more.

Cylinder subs are "Girly" :eek:

Box subs are "Manly" :D

As noted, very different form factors, with different pros/cons, but very very similar sound (at least when you are comparing like-configurations, such as the PB12-NSD versus the 20-39PCi). While some room interactions might vary from box to cylinder depending on placement, side by side, and calibrated the same, we're willing to bet most folks couldn't tell box and cylinder apart in blind listening.

Without straying into marketing, your question comes down to this: one you can sling on your shoulder and carry around the house yourself... one you can't (even the PB12-NSD is a challenge for one person to move far). But if you need a plant/lamp stand or a step-stool, then you already know what sort of shape that's more appropriate.

I won't touch the "Girly/Manly" thing though. If hammers came in two shapes, and both put nails in the wall, you would have the same sort of discussion I suppose ;^)

Drop us an e-mail if you have more specific questions we might help with RMH, we pledged to stay out of posting in threads that could be construed as promotional.

Ron
SVS

Cylinder subs are "Girly" :eek:

Box subs are "Manly" :D :confused:

How so? Most women would prefer a `pretty' box over a black cylinder...

:confused:

How so? Most women would prefer a `pretty' box over a black cylinder...
Yeah... I thought that while some men liked the cylinders, most women would allow them in the house only if they can be hidden somehow.

I, too, have never understood how the "difference" in sound keeps coming up, when SVS says they designed them to sound the same. :confused:

Anyway, add another vote to the cylinder column, for all the reasons mentioned previously.

I'll tell you this....the PB-12NSD is a heavy ass sub. 75lbs is no light load, espcially when the box you are trying to pick up is 18" wide x 21" high x 25" deep.. Those demensions make it even harder to get a handle on. It is possible for someone to pick up and move it, YEP, is it fun...not really.

NOW...you can slide it around pretty easy on carpet, but I'm looking forward to the PC design because it will yield a couple different placement options for me that I never could even try with the PB-12NSD. Who knows...maybe there is a spot in the room that will be better than the spot where my PB-12NSD is....

Cylinder subs are "Girly" :eek:

Box subs are "Manly" :D

Cylinder subs = phallic image = male machismo

Box subs = Box. Metaphor for female organ. I'll just leave it at that.

Cylinder subs = phallic image = male machismo

Box subs = Box. Metaphor for female organ. I'll just leave it at that.


Are we seriously turning this thread into this?

I owned an SVS box sub - loved it ( it's with the ex - wife for the time being ).
I just used my first SVS cylinder sub for the first time last night in a new home theater watching the HD DVD " U - 571 " - it's an incredible sub too - love it! My girlfriend was in awe of the bass!! I call it " the mortar tube ". I now like the looks of the cylinder sub better, but they both do an outstanding job for the money for movies or music.

How so? Most women would prefer a `pretty' box over a black cylinder...

Dirty...... part of mind.....kicking in.......must resist urge......to laugh....



HAHAHAHAHHAA! I couldn't stop it :D

I will sell you my Rocket sub for $300 plus shipping. PM if interested.
jpeg

if svs says both cylinders and boxes sound the same ...
how come a lot of people comment otherwise ...

Elementary, my dear Watson. The folks at SVS know what they are talking about and the others don't. It is that simple, From the dawn of audio, there have been claims of differences that cannt be measured but heard. Most of it does not pass the BS filter of a double blind test. It is hard enough to try to pinpoint where low frequency sounds are coming from, let alone the shape of the box producing them :eek: .

Are we seriously turning this thread into this?

I sincerely hope not. :D

I am looking at an svs sub for my ht in my basement. I would greatly appreciate any opinions on which is better and why. Or is it strictly individual preferance.

Having owned both, let me chime in. Cylinders are lighter because the enclosure is naturally very strong and resistant to flexing. That makes them easier to carry and move around. Cylinders also have a small footprint. They are not easy to hide and make lousy end tables. They are very ugly to some and modern sculptures to others.

Boxes hide better, but are heavier and usually have a larger footprint.

There's no difference in their sound.