Just got home a couple hours ago with my first quality sub. An SVS 20-39PCi. Got it used in perfect condition for half its' new retail from a reputable online site that has a 'video' side and a 'audio' side.

Haven't done anything other than watch 10 minutes of some scenes in Ice Age 2 that I have saved on my DVR that I know have good low tones....all I can say is thank goodness I bought this!!!
I can't imagine what the top of the line SVS subs are like, as this guy is a beast and is one of there more budget sub set-ups.

It is in my 3,000 cubic foot living room with vaulted ceilings. It immediately knocked a clock off the rear wall.(it is in a rear corner)

I will put it through some real testing tomorrow as I need to read up on some good tests.
...I didn't get a manual so I'm still trying to figure out the 'phase' control and where it should be. My last sub was normal or 180, but this is controllable and the previous owner had it set to about 60

Congrats. Here is the manual (http://www.svsound.com/manuals/pconlinemanual.pdf).

Set the phase to 0 for now until you can calibrate.

Thanks man!!
After a quick browse it seems it is finally time to get an SPL meter since I now have alot invested. Doesn't go into much detail though. Set-up was easy as pie, but tweaking will be another story I'm guessing.
Only adjustment I've made so far was changing my receivers crossover for the sub from 80hz(for my old B.A. XB6-12") to 60hz for this.

. . . I'm still trying to figure out the 'phase' control and where it should be. My last sub was normal or 180, but this is controllable and the previous owner had it set to about 60

Usually for a single sub you set the phase control at 0 and adjust the subwoofer distance setting in your receiver's setup menus to give maximum volume when both your sub and mains are playing an 80 Hz tone (or whatever frequency you are using for your sub crossover). To do this, temporarily set your main speakers to 'Large' and your mode to '2 channel stereo'. If you don't have test tones bass music will work -- pink noise built into your receiver should be your last choice.

Most times you will end up with max volume when the sub distance is set somewhere between the actual distance to the sub and 15 feet farther than the actual distance.

If you don't have distance settings in your electronics, set the phase control using the same max volume method as above.

Remember to set your main speakers back to 'Small' when you are done :)

and adjust the subwoofer distance setting in your receiver's setup menus to give maximum volume when both your sub and mains are playing an 80 Hz tone (or whatever frequency you are using for your sub crossover). To do this, temporarily set your main speakers to 'Large' and your mode to '2 channel stereo'. If you don't have test tones bass music will work -- pink noise built into your receiver should be your last choice.



O.K. did everything you said as far as phase to 'o' and and increased footage for sub by 5 ft.
Returned speakers to small.
...BUT, the part i left of your quote above I do not understand.

O.K. did everything you said as far as phase to 'o' and and increased footage for sub by 5 ft.
Returned speakers to small.
...BUT, the part i left of your quote above I do not understand.

Well, you did it, so no prob :)

Idea is to get bass to come out of both mains and sub, then 'in phase' or 'timed' condition will be when volume is max, 180 degress out of phase will be when volume is minimum (as you vary either sub distance setting in your receiver or twirl sub's phase control).

Did you adjust the sub distance setting in your receiver while actually playing a test tone or bass? You can easily hear the combined volume of mains + sub vary as you adjust the sub distance setting.

Maybe I don't understand your question :o

Idea is to get bass to come out of both mains and sub, then 'in phase' or 'timed' condition will be when volume is max, 180 degress out of phase will be when volume is minimum (as you vary either sub distance setting in your receiver or twirl sub's phase control).

Did you adjust the sub distance setting in your receiver while actually playing a test tone or bass? You can easily hear the combined volume of mains + sub vary as you adjust the sub distance setting.

Maybe I don't understand your question :o


I'm definitely lost here. I just went into manual set-up and increased distance for sub only by 5ft. The test tone config. with output levels for each speaker with test tones is a different part of the manual set-up, I didn't change those as I don't know what to do there without a spl meter because the sub output is less audible than the mains and it's hard to judge where they 'meet' by ear.(at least for me)

Eagles,
I just got mu SVS PB12 PLus. Astounding sound and terrific rambling. I get a bit nervous while playing 'Lord of the ring' and toned down the volume by about 4 notch!!!
Played 'Three Blue Man' music. Clear and tight sound. I read some comments about SVS ported sub being boomy. I didn't have that experience. May be it is setup and room and AVR and a couple of othe factors that influence the delivery. I set up the sub as per the suggestion by the online help folks of SVS, who were very helpful and prompt. I very happy so far. Will share more if I find anything else...

Just called SVS and this has an 'ISD' driver that is now almost 4 years old.
...Should I buy the $129 NSD driver? Worth it?

I don't know. It sounds like you got a deal on it, and you like how it sounds. I'd probably run it like it is for awhile, see if you can identify an audible reason why you'd want to upgrade. You can always do that later if you decide to.

Tim

I'm definitely lost here. I just went into manual set-up and increased distance for sub only by 5ft. The test tone config. with output levels for each speaker with test tones is a different part of the manual set-up, I didn't change those as I don't know what to do there without a spl meter because the sub output is less audible than the mains and it's hard to judge where they 'meet' by ear.(at least for me)

Go to radio shack and get it..

And welcome to the club.. I've had my SVS PB Plus for a few months.. Piano Black FTW!!!!!!!!!

Just called SVS and this has an 'ISD' driver that is now almost 4 years old.
...Should I buy the $129 NSD driver? Worth it?


Why? Mine is over 4 years old, sees daily use, and rocks as well as day one. (20-39PCi)

I can't imagine what it would take to kill one, I have teens and we all love LOUD Movies, Music, you name it. And I have all the well know bass testing movies and tools. It's bulletproof!

I felt upgrading from the ISD driver to the NSD was well worth the cost (but I paid preorder pricing of 79.00/ea) I have the PB12-ISD/2 (now NSD/2) the upgrade was slight but had more tightness and could be played louder without a hint of distortion. Considering you bought yours used and is four years old, might be worth it to upgrade. Also if you have a secondary sub in say a bedroom system you can put the old ISD driver in that sub (if the same size) I happened to have an older DCM sub with two 12: drivers, put the ISD drivers in that and have been a happy camper since.