Power Sound Audio Discussion Thread! - Page 22

Don't stress too much Losservatore. Sure we'd love for you to audition one of our products---but you're going to end up with a really good performer either way. just go with whatever option makes you more comfortable. If you choose to cancel it is no big deal (a couple button clicks for us) so don't feel like you are dumping more work on us or anything..

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

Tom v is okay from what I had been reading here it seems that im making the right purchase thank you guys.

I apologize if it seemed as if I was coming across as a PITA - not my intention. I would just hate to see you give up an otherwise bargain priced product for something as silly as tax. Rest assured you are in good hands with Tom though, regardless of what platform you chose. Enjoy.

Enjoy them!

Sorry, how much is that sales tax in Ohio? I'm having my XS30s shipped to my friend in Washington (I'm in Vancouver, Canada) And then I'm driving down to pick them up and bring them across the boarder myself. I'll have to pay 12%. But even with the tax these subs are a steal when it comes to price/performance. At the end of the day is an extra $100 really going to make that much of a difference. I'd pay the extra money just knowing the kind of customer service PSA will provide.

I also think when you consider how quickly these new subs are selling without anyone having read any first hand reviews or having heard them for themselves I think this literally speaks volumes about how people with about PSA and the products they offer along with their performance.

thanks jbrown15 I'm not into the subwoofer world that much so everything is confusing to me this is my very first visits in the sub thread so excuse my ignorance also is my first sub over $1,000 and always had low budget sub.since I listen to moderate volumes and now want experience real deep and accurate bass just wants to know what I have been missing.:)thanks for your comment.

losservatore, just to give you a little back ground on me. I have a nice theater but it has been a few years in the making. I started up with a pretty budget sub, a JBL E250P which I think I bought about 7 years ago for $300. Last year I stepped up and bought dual Polk Audio DSWmicroPRO3000 subs, they are only 10" subs but have 1200watt continuous power. Great little subs actually and I got the pair used from my cousin for $800. Well after giving my theater a total overhaul last December I upgraded my rear surrounds and went with two pairs of Axiom Audio QS8s, I upgraded my screen and went with a JVC RS45 projected. So I've started to put together a pretty decent system that I've been really happy with.

So then last month I decided it was time to take the plung and upgrade my subs. I can honestly say that I looked at close to 10 different options and with a budget of as little as $1000 up too $2500. I toyed with the idea of getting a single JTR Captivator S1 which a 18" sealed sub that runs around $2200 with the plan of getting a second sub in a year or two. I looked at HSU, SVS, Rythmik, JTR, Funk Audio, Epik and just about every other great sub that gets mentioned these days. Needless to say with my budget I had a LOT of options. I'm sure pretty much all of those other companies offer great products, although some have a few greymarks against their customer service. I base that mostly just on what I've read, but after talking with Tom and exchanging about 50 emails I can honestly say that you would be buying a great product from a company that prides themselves on customer service. In my mind that alone would be worth the little bit of extra you might have to pay because of the taxes.

I for one can't wait to hear my dual XS30s, and just like Tom told me the wait is KILLING me!!!

^ me too!! I can't wait much longer:D. I am guessing, from my talks with Tom, I will see my pair somewhere around the 18th. I hope so. I have no subs to listen to so now I sit hear responding to every post:o

I took the plunge as well !
Have been exchanging emails with Tom over the last 2 weeks or so. Initially wanted to order dual XV15. But after discussing with Tom, I took his suggestion and ordered dual XS30.

Tom has been great to deal with and thanks much for his inputs.

jbrown15 you are correct .I have been sending emails to different sub company's but so far with very vague answers with no intetions to help with my questions,others sub companys Im still waiting a reply, but honestly with tom Its been a great experience every single email anwered with very helpful information, I can tell that he really care about his costumers, I just hope that when the company grow to the next level he keep treating his costumers with the same care.
Edited by losservatore - 12/9/12 at 12:04am

I also took the plunge. After many emails back and forth with Tom discussing the different subs. I placed a order for the XS30. I am looking forward to getting the sub and setting up. The house will be rocking. Like many others just waiting for it to come. I have it set for delivery after Christmas.

Tom V's customer service cannot be beat IMO.

I was in a similar position as you years ago. At that time I kept hearing about a new company called SVS (I believe Tom was one of the original owners). Tom was much more helpful than others; so much so it was like having my own personal advisor looking out for my own interest. It wasn't unusual for him to respond to my emails within an hour or much sooner, even on Sundays and holidays.

I got to the point where I was convinced SVS was about the best sub for the price, but having never bought anything like that online (I always bought locally before) I was still a bit hesitant. I expressed this to Tom, and instead of trying to convince me it would be OK to buy online, he said he understood and if I would let him know what brands were available to me locally he would help me choose one that would be best for me and help me get it set up properly.

Frankly, I was so impressed with Tom that I went ahead and ordered a sub from him, an SVS 16-46PC+ cylinder sub. Service after the sale was equally impressive, and I'm glad to see Tom is still offering such a high level of service along with great products.

After all these years I'm still enjoying my sub and wouldn't hesitate to buy a sub from Tom should I want to upgrade.

Hey Tom, speaking of upgrading my 16-46PC+, I love the cylinder form factor, any plans to offer such a beast that would be a worthy replacement to my current sub?

SVS is actually SV Sound, with the S and V being the first letter of each founders last name. Tom is the V portion.

Hi all,

Quick update,

The entire first production run of the XS30s is sold out. We have an additional 60 cabinets arriving in mid January. We are trying to convince our cabinet vendor to do a few "7 day weeks" to ship us an additional 20-30 to tide us over but that has yet to be decided.

Thanks to all for the incredible support,

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

Congrats on such strong sales! When does the special pricing end?

The XS30s looks like some killer value! Looking forward to reading impressions.

 

As far as output is concerned, my guess is that the XS30 will likely be stronger from 50hz and up, but the FV15HP should have stronger output everywhere else down to 12.5hz. Below 12.5hz, the XS30 should pick up again, but not sure how usable the output would be.

 

From the powersound website:

 

 

CEA-2010 Ratings (2m ground plane)

• Ultra-low bass (20-31.5 Hz): 106.7dB
• Low bass (40-63Hz): 121.3dB

 

The data-bass.com metrics show the FV15HP Ultra-low bass (20-31.5hz): 112.7dB. If these are apples to apples comparisons, than you would need 2 XS30s (assuming they are co-located) to roughly equal the output of 1 FV15HP in this frequency range.

 

There was no direct comparison with the 40-63 range, but the 40-80hz was measured at 119dB for the FV15HP.

The intention is to end the pre order discount as soon as we ship the first truck load out the door....so I'm guessing 12-17 give or take a business day right now.

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

Hi Saturn94,

Thanks for the kudos.

We always have various projects in the "pipeline" but we prefer not discussing them until we are very close to a release date. We would rather avoid the "hype up the vaporware" contests that go on around the forums at times..

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

I believe you'll be quite happy. We've had a production sample going through various listening sessions in different room environments over the past few weeks. it is really a well balanced design.

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

What are you guys finding that you need to set the gain knob at? I've recently received an XV-15 and I'm finding that at the midnight position, I barely get any output at all. I need to set it at a minimum of 3pm to get much out of it. Seems odd

Haven't gotten mine yet, but the concern of gain position on the PSA's has been discussed a bit. It would seem that the gai of the psa amps is much more linear, and many others are not. Some subs out there, when operating with the gain in the, say 12oclock position, may be using the majority of power and not have much left past that. The PSA subs seem to employee a no "tricks" approach...not that others are tricking us, but really, what good is it to turn the gain to 12 and think you are using half power, when you are really closer to maxed out than you think. I like the idea that I know how much of the amps power I am trying to use because it is actually always relative to the gain position. It doesn't matter much I guess, I'm just a straight forward kind of guy. So, that is the really long answer to your question:). Tom has said on more than one occasion to just turn the gain up until your desired level of output is met. Obviously one needs to be mindfull of the avr setting, gain setting and how hard things are being pushed, but in general I agree.

I agree,i have a XV -15 and as others have said,turn the gain to about the 2:00 position and it really comes to life,esp. with movies that have alot of LFE.It goes really low too,definitely lower than any sub i've ever had .

My XV15 duals are essentially level with my mains with the knob exactly at 12:00. I run them +3 db hot on the receiver, but they sound fantastic when called upon.

Hi Joffer,

That is quite normal as others have mentioned. With many subwoofers the gain knob is nearly "all in" barely one third through its rotation. Our gain controls are a bit less sensitive. As long as you can reach proper bass calibration levels everything is fine....the actual position of the gain knob is irrelevant. Remember, the gain control on a powered subwoofer is *not* a volume control. All the gain control does is match the voltage coming from your receiver's subwoofer output jack to the input stage of the built in amp(in the sub).

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

Thanks Tom

Just getting this baby dialed in. Earth-shattering so far

I remember you mentioning this early in this thread when I first inquired about a possible cylinder design that would be a worthy upgrade for my 16-46PC+. I guess I had hope we might be closer to hearing about upcoming new models.

I'll stay tuned.

Joffer, I think we all experienced the similar issue. The difference between 12 and 2 on my XV-15 was pretty significant. Once you get it dialed in, you will be happy! Are you using Audeyssey or anything like that to calibrate?

Yeah, ran Audyssey, it seems to really be dialing the subs back. I've got the XV-15 paired with a eD A3-300. Audyssey set them both around -8.5

Audyssey set my sub to -5.0. If you want a little more boom, you can always increase it in the receiver. I tested it out and moved it from -5 to 0...it was definitely louder but much boomier. I think I have it at the sweet spot right now. I believe as long as you are in between -12 and +12 you are good to go.