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Blown SVS woofer - would you replace or upgrade with Submersive or Ultra?

post #1 of 12
12/10/09 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
I have a SVS NSD with 2 12" drivers. I can't remember the exact model name. Anyway, I noticed some rattling during Star Trek and assumed it was some new pictures I had put up on the wall. Turns out it was one of the woofers. The other one still works fine.

Anyway, it will cost 225 dollars including shipping to get a replacement woofer. I'm thinking about doing that but I'm also thinking about upgrading to an Ultra or maybe even a Submersive. I have always been curious about how a sealed sub would sound...

My room is 18x23x8 with basically no openings and I have been happy with the amount of bass - BUT -I've never gotten that huge grin from being completely blown away. Part of me wonders if it can really get much better than what I have and are some of these reaction posts just people that want to feel justified in their upgrade...

Anyway, I listen to music more often than I watch movies but that doesn't mean that movies aren't really important too.

Also, I tried a HSU MBM as a part of my system for awhile and I was never blown away by that.

I can afford a Submersive or Ultra but I don't want the feeling of wasting money like I had after getting the MBM.
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post #2 of 12
12/10/09 at 6:47am
I think you would notice a difference with the Submersive. Another option is to go with dual subs like 2 Epik Dragons, 2 HSU ULS-15s, or 2 Rythmik F15's all of which are sealed designs. However, if output is the goal, ported might be the way to go.
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post #3 of 12
12/10/09 at 7:15am
Go with the Submersive. And if for whatever reason your not satisfied with that (almost nil chance of that) you'd have no problem reclaiming what you paid for it if you sell. Dual 15's, sealed, many user glowing reviews who've owned other "top" subs, now with veneer options....~$2K to $2.5K well spent IMO.
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post #4 of 12
12/10/09 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carp View Post

My room is 18x23x8 with basically no openings and I have been happy with the amount of bass - BUT -I've never gotten that huge grin from being completely blown away. Part of me wonders if it can really get much better than what I have and are some of these reaction posts just people that want to feel justified in their upgrade...

What have you used to calibrate your sub? Did you plot the in-room frequency response? I ask that because I have surprised many people with a DIY design that is similar to an SVS powered cylinder.

That is a lot for an NSD driver. What are the dimensions of the box? Maybe you could replace them with Shiva-X's?
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post #5 of 12
12/10/09 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carp View Post

I have a SVS NSD with 2 12" drivers. I can't remember the exact model name. Anyway, I noticed some rattling during Star Trek and assumed it was some new pictures I had put up on the wall. Turns out it was one of the woofers. The other one still works fine.

Anyway, it will cost 225 dollars including shipping to get a replacement woofer. I'm thinking about doing that but I'm also thinking about upgrading to an Ultra or maybe even a Submersive. I have always been curious about how a sealed sub would sound...

My room is 18x23x8 with basically no openings and I have been happy with the amount of bass - BUT -I've never gotten that huge grin from being completely blown away. Part of me wonders if it can really get much better than what I have and are some of these reaction posts just people that want to feel justified in their upgrade...

Anyway, I listen to music more often than I watch movies but that doesn't mean that movies aren't really important too.

Also, I tried a HSU MBM as a part of my system for awhile and I was never blown away by that.

I can afford a Submersive or Ultra but I don't want the feeling of wasting money like I had after getting the MBM.

While $225 is certainly cheaper than getting a SubM or Ultra, it sounds kind of like you're looking for a reason to upgrade (nothing wrong with that). All you can do is read reviews and keep in mind things like resell and return policies.
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post #6 of 12
12/11/09 at 5:51am
Had both - 'nuther world of performance with dual 15' sealed drivers and the I.C.E. amp. I loved the Ultra, really, but the SubMersive is ridiculous for HT and music. I couldn't use the Ultra for music personally, but now the SubMersive has me re-discovering all my great tunes again with that silly grin on my face... You'd love either one, but, having had both, I'm a SubMersive devotee now.
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post #7 of 12
12/11/09 at 10:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlj5242 View Post

What have you used to calibrate your sub? Did you plot the in-room frequency response? I ask that because I have surprised many people with a DIY design that is similar to an SVS powered cylinder.

That is a lot for an NSD driver. What are the dimensions of the box? Maybe you could replace them with Shiva-X's?

I calibrated the SVS with avia and I usually go run the sub around 5 db hot. I have not plotted the in room frequency response but I did do the crawl test and I put it in the best workable position in between the front left and right speakers closer to the right hand side.

The dimensions of the box are 19 wide 26.5 tall 28 deep - frickin huge.

I thought I had made my mind up yesterday. I sent an email to Mark and he replied back right away that they have black oak submersives ready for delivery right away... I almost pulled the trigger.

I just can't do it though. 2200 dollars for a sub is something that even I think is rediculous. That and the fact that I have never been competely floored by any previous upgrade that I have made in the past.

Now I just want to replace this woofer. I'll look into the Shiva-X, are there any other woofers out there that would be as good or better than an NSD driver for cheaper than 225 delivered?

thanks guys
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post #8 of 12
12/11/09 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 
Full disclosure here....

I think I am in a never ending search for something that doesn't exist. My first love is music and I love bass but I think I want exaggerated bass that I can feel in my chest but at the same time I want accurate bass.

My problem is that when I was in college I had cerwin vega speakers with 15 inch woofers and I turned the bass and treble knobs all the way up. Not only that but I had a graphic eq with a smiley face configuration - AND- a bass boost button on my receiver that was on. I understand that this is a crazy/rediculous way to listen to music and audiophiles would shoot me on site but I didn't know any better.

I listened to music in pro logic (no doubt movie mode back then, I don't think music mode existed in the mid to late 90's) mode and I was in heaven. Even at lower volumes I felt the music all over my body and especially the chest. Any and all music was addictive to listen to. Even if it was a song/genre I wasn't really into I listened to it becase of that sweet feel of the bass.

When dvd players started coming out I bought new speakers, a new 5.1 receiver, got rid of the eq, got a subwoofer and thought I was making upgrades not only to movies but to music as well. The problem is I have never "felt" my music like I did with that original set up ever again.

At first I thought I would get it by upgrading my sub. I bought a svs 20-39 pci in 2001 I think it was... I liked what it did for movies but still no feeling the music.

Next I bought new speakers - Axiom. I still have these and I have a love hate relationship with them. I am a metal head so most of my music sounds kind of harsh on these speakers. Some albums sound fantastic though, like Blackwater Park by Opeth or Awake by Dream Theater. Either way though I still didn't feel my music.

Next I bought my current svs sub. Again it was a nice upgrade for movies but if I turn it up loud enough to feel the music it sounds bloaty and fat.

Next I bought a MBM 12. After getting used to it I really didn't like the whole nearfield thing and once again when I could get so I could feel the music I felt like the bass was to bloaty.

So anyway, I don't think what I'm after exists and it's a little depressing. Every time I read a review on the new king sub that gives that punch and you can feel it I get tempted... but then I remember that I would want to run it way hot for music and once again it wouldn't sound right.
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post #9 of 12
12/11/09 at 11:01am
SubMersive

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post #10 of 12
12/11/09 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carp View Post

Full disclosure here....

I think I am in a never ending search for something that doesn't exist. My first love is music and I love bass but I think I want exaggerated bass that I can feel in my chest but at the same time I want accurate bass.

My problem is that when I was in college I had cerwin vega speakers with 15 inch woofers and I turned the bass and treble knobs all the way up. Not only that but I had a graphic eq with a smiley face configuration - AND- a bass boost button on my receiver that was on. I understand that this is a crazy/rediculous way to listen to music and audiophiles would shoot me on site but I didn't know any better.

I listened to music in pro logic (no doubt movie mode back then, I don't think music mode existed in the mid to late 90's) mode and I was in heaven. Even at lower volumes I felt the music all over my body and especially the chest. Any and all music was addictive to listen to. Even if it was a song/genre I wasn't really into I listened to it becase of that sweet feel of the bass.

When dvd players started coming out I bought new speakers, a new 5.1 receiver, got rid of the eq, got a subwoofer and thought I was making upgrades not only to movies but to music as well. The problem is I have never "felt" my music like I did with that original set up ever again.

At first I thought I would get it by upgrading my sub. I bought a svs 20-39 pci in 2001 I think it was... I liked what it did for movies but still no feeling the music.

Next I bought new speakers - Axiom. I still have these and I have a love hate relationship with them. I am a metal head so most of my music sounds kind of harsh on these speakers. Some albums sound fantastic though, like Blackwater Park by Opeth or Awake by Dream Theater. Either way though I still didn't feel my music.

Next I bought my current svs sub. Again it was a nice upgrade for movies but if I turn it up loud enough to feel the music it sounds bloaty and fat.

Next I bought a MBM 12. After getting used to it I really didn't like the whole nearfield thing and once again when I could get so I could feel the music I felt like the bass was to bloaty.

So anyway, I don't think what I'm after exists and it's a little depressing. Every time I read a review on the new king sub that gives that punch and you can feel it I get tempted... but then I remember that I would want to run it way hot for music and once again it wouldn't sound right.

You need either a sub that can do both midbass and low bass with high spl or you need a high output midbass sub with a high output low frequency sub. I say high output because they won't sound bloated when you turn it up. There are a few options but how much are you willing to spend to get it. That punch is key which is the midbass. The MBM should do it well enough but maybe not loud enough. Maybe you need 2 of those. They don't have to be nearfield. If want serious output you need to check out JTR growlers or even pro subs(good ones). Horns produce midbass like no other but usually don't go low enough. The Danley DTS-10 does both. JTR growlers and captivators will get it done. To me it sounds like you need loud midbass for the music. Most subs recommended will have very good midbass but probably not go to the levels you are talking about.
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post #11 of 12
12/11/09 at 12:19pm
First, if you replace the driver with a different model, you will need to replace both of them. You can't run different drivers in a shared air space.

I'm not going to knock your choice of sound, but I think MK Theater is correct. You need more punch. Your room may not allow it or your receiver doesn't have that adjustment. A Behringer Feedback Destroyer will allow you to tailor the sound any way you want. Pair it up with Room EQ Wizard and you can make adjustments from your PC. You can set up to 10 different EQ responses. If you want your bloated mid bass for music, store it in a memory. If you want audiphile flat, store it in another memory. At around $120, I don't know why everyone isn't using this piece of equipment.
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post #12 of 12
12/11/09 at 12:25pm
I used to own one myself. I went the much harder way and bought subs and speakers that could do it on their own.
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