Hello all,

I am just about set to pull the trigger on an SVS 25-31 PCi tube sub. My wife likes the idea that it can be placed in a corner behind a chair. The 24 inch box is a little tougher to hide.

My question is are there any negatives to the use of this sub over an equivalent box, other than cosmetic? I had heard from a guy I know who works in pro audio that the tube subs have slower response times and are not that good for digital audio such as DTS, etc. Is there any truth to that?

I have read all the info at the SVS website, and wanted some input from those who stand nothing to gain from my choice as well:)

Thanks,

Pat

Hello all,

... I had heard from a guy I know who works in pro audio that the tube subs have slower response times and are not that good for digital audio such as DTS, etc. Is there any truth to that?...Pat

NO!

...tube subs have slower response times... is about as idiotic line as I've heard on this forum! :eek:

Tube subs are fine. :)

This guy that works in "pro audio"; what does he do there? Clean the restrooms? :D

My question is are there any negatives to the use of this sub over an equivalent box, other than cosmetic? I had heard from a guy I know who works in pro audio that the tube subs have slower response times and are not that good for digital audio such as DTS, etc. Is there any truth to that?



Bogus. Totally bogus.

That is about as idiotic line as I've heard on this forum! :eek:

Tube subs are fine. :)

This guy that works in "pro audio"; what does he do there? Clean the restrooms? :D

I am glad to hear you say that. No, he's a rep for D&M Pro and has generally been a pretty straight guy and has just tried to help me out in the past. He's also getting me a 987p for cheap!!! :D

Any idea why he would get that idea? Is there something about tube design that makes the woofer slower? I am no engineer, just trying to learn.

Thanks again,

Pat

Hello all,

I am just about set to pull the trigger on an SVS 25-31 PCi tube sub. My wife likes the idea that it can be placed in a corner behind a chair. The 24 inch box is a little tougher to hide.

My question is are there any negatives to the use of this sub over an equivalent box, other than cosmetic? I had heard from a guy I know who works in pro audio that the tube subs have slower response times and are not that good for digital audio such as DTS, etc. Is there any truth to that?

I have read all the info at the SVS website, and wanted some input from those who stand nothing to gain from my choice as well:)

Thanks,

Pat

There is no negative's to a tube sub. The guy you heard from is full of bs. I have had experience with Boxes and tubes. The SVS 16-46 is one of the best subs I have ever heard.

I haven't really seen cylinder subs in the pro world but I would think that's because the cylinders themselves might be prone to physical damage. Speakers in the pro world have to stand up to all kinds of physical abuse as well as sonic abuse.

Any idea why he would get that idea? Is there something about tube design that makes the woofer slower? I am no engineer, just trying to learn. There is a lot of mis-information taken as fact in the audio world. It happens that a lot of knowledgable folks have been given bad info here or there.
tube subs have slower response times This is true when comparing any ported sub to a sealed application. The shape by itself doesn't affect the response time. Maybe he got this mixed up in his head.and are not that good for digital audio such as DTS, etc. This, I have no idea about where it came from. A sub just plays what it is sent. Encoding method has nothing to do with the finale signal the sub receives.

Hope this helps. ;)

Tube subs are pretty cool because they are easier to move around.

Tube subs take up less floor space.

Tube subs are great objects of conversation when someone who has not seen one before asks you what the hell is that?

The negative is the WAF. However, in your case, it's NOT a negative.

Good luck with your purchase.

Charles

I am glad to hear you say that. No, he's a rep for D&M Pro and has generally been a pretty straight guy and has just tried to help me out in the past. He's also getting me a 987p for cheap!!! :D

Any idea why he would get that idea? Is there something about tube design that makes the woofer slower? I am no engineer, just trying to learn.

Thanks again,

Pat
Maybe your friend is thinking of Bazooka subwoofers for cars. They sound pretty muddy and loose, but ricers still like to throw them in the back of their respective cars' trunks.

One of my friends has an SVS cylinder sub (not sure which model) and he loves it. He's trying to convince me to get that over a traditional box sub when I build my HTS. I like the fact that the footprint is a lot smaller for a cylinder than a box for an equivalent size speaker (12", etc.).

Maybe your friend is thinking of Bazooka subwoofers for cars. They sound pretty muddy and loose, but ricers still like to throw them in the back of their respective cars' trunks.




That's funny. I grew up in the 80's when those things came out. They were junk, plain and simple. If I recall, they are calling 6 or 8 inch drivers with 50 watt amps a "sub" :D

I think I will invite my friend over for a listen to dispell that opinion first hand.

Pat

Hi

I own both a cylinder and several box subs. There is no difference in sound quality. I perfer box subs because I own an SVS 20-39PCi and it is not as spouse friendly as my box subs.

The 25-31 is an excellent choice.

Tube enclosures have what? Slower response times.... :rolleyes: :o :p

Seriously some people need to have a better understanding before making comments like these.

Tubes are almost ideal cabinets for subs as they are inexpensive,sturdy and much lighter than classic cabinet.They may not be my cup of tea looks wise but it takes nothing from the fact they are great as sub cabinets.

Tube subs are just big and ugly... but performance is all that really matters here! :D

Hmmm... maybe they think that it sounds "hollow", or that the sound has a "cylindrical" sound to it. Or muffled, like it had a "sock" over it... (tic)

Seriously... Nothing wrong with the cylinder sub, performance-wise. The only negative that it may have is the WAF, because it does look like a small water heater when you first see it. But either way, you are going to have either a tall sub, or a large box sub with the fundamentals of Hoffman's Iron Law in mind.

I love my SVS 25-31 PCi, best investment I've made into my HT, better than what I had before....

http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/508/My_SVS_Subwoofer.jpg

That's funny. I grew up in the 80's when those things came out. They were junk, plain and simple. If I recall, they are calling 6 or 8 inch drivers with 50 watt amps a "sub" :D

I think I will invite my friend over for a listen to dispell that opinion first hand.

Pat
Yep, I remember that low-end junk from Bazooka. When I was young(er?) I thought they were neat and their name sure sounds cool. But when I researched subs to get for my car, I decided Bazooka was not for me - I wound up getting an Infinity BassLink and am very happy over that decision. :cool: