HI All,
I Want to buy my Dad a new sub for Christmas and was considering the SVS,

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-isd2.cfm

I'm curious if it will be too much subwoofer or if it will be an OK match with the orb audio speakers,

http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3

The 8" sub just isn't cutting it for him so I figured two 12's should fit the bill. Room is about 20x20, give or take a bit and home theater is primary.

Thanks,
Joe

You can always rectify the fact that the PB12-NSD/2 can overpower the Orbs by adjusting the gain on the subwoofer. The thing I'm not sure about is how linear it is in the upper bass regions. My guess is that the Orbs need to be crossed over at 120hz or 150hz (because they're so small), and I'm not sure how well the PB12-NSD/2 does with bass over 80hz or 100hz. Might want to contact SVS. They're extremely helpful, won't try to oversell you, and will get back to you quickly.

EDIT: Just took a look at the FR chart on the PB12-NSD/2. Looks like you'd probably be ok, since it looks pretty linear to around 150hz.

Those Orbs look very impressive, and the SVS sub is a good choice. Though the plus/2 would give more ummmph if the budget allows.

Those Orbs look very impressive, and the SVS sub is a good choice. Though the plus/2 would give more ummmph if the budget allows.

Agreed, though I think either will be an incredibly huge improvement from the Super 8 ;). And since the OP is concerned about the PB12-NSD/2 being too much subwoofer for the orbs, I don't think having MORE headroom than the PB12-NSD/2 is his primary concern.

Thanks for the responses. My Dad is not (err, was not) a huge audio guy. I convinced him to get the Orbs because he didn't want standard tower speakers and frankly he didn't have the room with his 70" display taking up the entire space:) The current 8" sub is corner loaded and adds texture and a bit of oomph but once pushed and the volume goes up it fades out quickly. My Dad, in his quest for the thump, turns it up louder and then its a downward spiral in sound quality from there. He's actually blown a few Orbs and Orb audio says they get maybe 5 back a year. My Dad happened to be 40% of that yearly total :eek:

Anyway, I don't really care for the boominess of corner loading and was planning on placing the SVS along a side wall in hopes of a flatter FR. If I placed the 8" ORB sub there you probably wouldn't hear it ;) My primary concern is flat FR, good power/headroom (which I am sure it will supply) and solid integration with the ORB's.

He could probably get away with the singe 12" but as an owner of a Submersive who wished he had another, you really can never have "too much".

Keep the ideas rolling.

Joe

You are a very good son. I hope when I'm an old man my kids by me huge subwoofers.

And you are right, there is no such thing as "too much". Turning a gain nob is alot easier than ordering and shipping another sub a year down the road.

IMO the Svs is to much subwoofer for the Orbs. IMO you should have speakers that match the sub in quality. But since you said he didn't want large speakers I understand why you got Orbs. But in a room 20x 20 you may need more sub depending on how much a bass head he is. So I would get it. Then next year get him some good bookshelves :) or maybe a Hsu MBM-12 to get the middle range the Orbs and Svs don't reach?? Dunno but that is a good gift.

I don't think a great subwoofer is ever "too much" for lesser speakers. As said above, you adjust the sub gain to blend with the main speakers, regardless of what their output potential is. As long as the sub can play high enough in the midbass to cover the low end of the mains, you're fine. The deeper and cleaner the sub plays, the more impact the whole system has.

One could certainly argue that some of the sub money could be put to better use upgrading the mains, or that the sub would have untapped headroom potential, or that the sub is more accurate/musical than the mains, but none of those are negatives as far as the overall sound quality goes.

It's analogous to running racing slicks while autocrossing a street car. Is that "too much" tire for the car? If the goal is short lap times, increased grip means increased cornering speeds which translates into quicker laps. You could settle for less grippy street tires because they are more in character with the power of the vehicle, but that results in lesser performance than the race tires. In the end, more performance > less performance.

Joe, check stock with SVS -- I thought I saw a post a few days ago form someone who said they got the last nsd/2 -- perhaps I read it wrong . . .

Joe, check stock with SVS -- I thought I saw a post a few days ago form someone who said they got the last nsd/2 -- perhaps I read it wrong . . .

You're right...the PB12-NSD/2 is out of stock at SVS.

I don't think a great subwoofer is ever "too much" for lesser speakers. As said above, you adjust the sub gain to blend with the main speakers, regardless of what their output potential is. As long as the sub can play high enough in the midbass to cover the low end of the mains, you're fine. The deeper and cleaner the sub plays, the more impact the whole system has.

One could certainly argue that some of the sub money could be put to better use upgrading the mains, or that the sub would have untapped headroom potential, or that the sub is more accurate/musical than the mains, but none of those are negatives as far as the overall sound quality goes.

It's analogous to running racing slicks while autocrossing a street car. Is that "too much" tire for the car? If the goal is short lap times, increased grip means increased cornering speeds which translates into quicker laps. You could settle for less grippy street tires because they are more in character with the power of the vehicle, but that results in lesser performance than the race tires. In the end, more performance > less performance.

Since your on tires. To big of mud tires for a 4x4truck can over work the tyranny and break it. So you need to have the proper size tires or beef up your tyranny. So that being said you could waste $$ on to much sub if you NEVER upgrade your mains. If you only use 1/4 or less of the sub to blend with the speakers it's a waste. Post was is Svs PB12/2 + is to much for the Orbs. I say yes you can do with less. JMO