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Need to Replace Aperion Bravus 12D Subwoofer - What Would You Do?

post #1 of 32
4/4/12 at 8:16am
Thread Starter 
I purchased an Intimus 6T 7.1 speaker package w/cherry finish from Aperion Audio a couple of years ago, which included a Bravus 12D subwoofer.

Unfortunately, the speaker's amplifier failed a couple of months ago and I shipped the speaker back to Aperion for repair.

The other day I was informed that Aperion has changed the specs for its Bravus 12D subwoofer and can no longer obtain the previous amplifier to repair my speaker.

Aperion has offered to refund the purchase price ($1099) for the subwoofer or replace it with the new model 12D, which is finished in black. The cherry wood veneer option is no longer available.

At my request Aperion suggested a competitor's product, either the SVS PB13-ULTRA or the SVS SB13-PLUS. Both subs offer a cherry wood veneer finish that would probably be a close, but not exact, match to my Aperion speakers.

I have received a couple of recommendations from the official Aperion thread in the speaker forum, but thought I'd open up my (?'s) to a wider audience in the subwoofer forum.

I don't mind spending a few extra $ for a better sub, so what would you guys do if you had my setup?

1) Take a replacement 12D subwoofer w/black finish?

2) Accept a refund and buy the SVS PB13-ULTRA?

3) Accept a refund and buy the SVS SB13-PLUS?

4) Buy some other manufacturer's sub instead?

If I decide to buy another sub it must include a cherry wood veneer cabinet otherwise I'm just as well off accepting an Aperion sub finished in black.

I'd appreciate any recommendations this forum's members can provide, thanks.
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post #2 of 32
4/4/12 at 8:35am
We don't know about your room size (including any openings to other rooms), or how loud you like to listen. In a modest space the SVS SB-13 Plus should be at least the equal of the Bravus 12D. The SVS Ultra 13 will just crush the performance of the Bravus and handily outperform the SB-13 Plus, which it should at $2,000 and being much larger and ported.
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post #3 of 32
4/4/12 at 8:41am
If the budget permits go for the Ultra I have yet to read of a disappointment.
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post #4 of 32
4/4/12 at 9:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy View Post

We don't know about your room size (including any openings to other rooms), or how loud you like to listen. In a modest space the SVS SB-13 Plus should be at least the equal of the Bravus 12D. The SVS Ultra 13 will just crush the performance of the Bravus and handily outperform the SB-13 Plus, which it should at $2,000 and being much larger and ported.

+1. This pretty much sums it up
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post #5 of 32
4/4/12 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your responses.

My living room is ~20' x 20' with a 10' high ceiling.

There are two 6' x 9' foot openings, one to the foyer the other to the kitchen.

I use my surround sound system primarily for watching cable TV with. I also watch movies on Blu-ray disc and listen to music, but only occasionally.

Since the extra money is not an issue should I go with the Ultra 13?

I'm leaning more towards that subwoofer not only for its performance but I also prefer the appearance of its cherry cabinet versus the SB-13 Plus.

Any speculation regarding how close a match the cherry finish of the SVS Ultra 13 will be for my Aperion Intimus speakers?
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post #6 of 32
4/4/12 at 9:28am
I believe you can request a wood finsh sample from Svsound. I would call them and find out.
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post #7 of 32
4/4/12 at 9:49am
With that size room I would get the SVS PB13 Ultra.

You may want to see how close the HSU VTF-15H in Rosewood would match. It would be roughly the same price as the Aperion shipped:
http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-15h.html

The PB13 Ultra would be the better sub between the two but at roughly twice the price.
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post #8 of 32
4/4/12 at 9:52am
I'd just like to say that Aperion's offer is awesome in this case.

A real standup company.


You might want to take a look at HSU. They offer a rosewood veneer option that might be close. The ULS 15 or VTF-15H or dual 15H.
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post #9 of 32
4/4/12 at 9:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kini62 View Post

I'd just like to say that Aperion's offer is awesome in this case.

A real standup company.

Agreed. Talk about peace of mind when buying.
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post #10 of 32
4/4/12 at 10:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kini62 View Post

I'd just like to say that Aperion's offer is awesome in this case.

A real standup company.


You might want to take a look at HSU. They offer a rosewood veneer option that might be close. The ULS 15 or VTF-15H or dual 15H.

The HSU optional veneer is NOT ROSEWOOD, rather it is what is called ROSENUT. They use a cheaper wood which is tinted to look somewhat similar to rosewood.
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post #11 of 32
4/4/12 at 11:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy View Post

The HSU optional veneer is NOT ROSEWOOD, rather it is what is called ROSENUT. They use a cheaper wood which is tinted to look somewhat similar to rosewood.

Thanks for the clarification I also posted Rosewood vs Rosenut...
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post #12 of 32
4/4/12 at 12:17pm
Wow Aperion is first class all the way. Doubt there are many companies out there that would do what Aperion did for the OP.

Now my choice if the extra money isn't an issue I'd go PB13 Ultra hands down. Close second would be the VTF 15H.
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post #13 of 32
4/4/12 at 1:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gtpsuper24 View Post

Wow Aperion is first class all the way. Doubt there are many companies out there that would do what Aperion did for the OP.

Now my choice if the extra money isn't an issue I'd go PB13 Ultra hands down. Close second would be the VTF 15H.

For the price of one PB13 Ultra the OP could get 2 of the HTF-15H. If there is room that would possible be a better choice.
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post #14 of 32
4/4/12 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kini62 View Post

For the price of one PB13 Ultra the OP could get 2 of the HTF-15H. If there is room that would possible be a better choice.

True but he does want a matching finish so the PB may come closer to the aesthetics he wants.
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post #15 of 32
4/4/12 at 4:14pm
First rate company. I'll take a hard look when I make my next purchase.
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post #16 of 32
4/4/12 at 4:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mannoiaj View Post

First rate company. I'll take a hard look when I make my next purchase.

I've never had a chance to really listen to much Aperion stuff, but they should be on just about everyones short list when it comes to speaker shopping.

Top notch products, customer service, free shipping both ways, its a win win for anyone.
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post #17 of 32
4/4/12 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gtpsuper24 View Post

Wow Aperion is first class all the way. Doubt there are many companies out there that would do what Aperion did for the OP.

+1. Simply amazing!
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post #18 of 32
4/4/12 at 7:22pm
I would go with the SVS PB13-ULTRA, I just bought a PB12-NSD and it is just outstanding in my room. I can only imagine what a PB13 ultra would sound like, plus SVS's 5 year warranty ensures that you are well taken care of.
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post #19 of 32
4/4/12 at 8:29pm
I've not personally heard any of Hsu's offerings, but only read great things about them. I do have an Ultra13 (pair of them, but originally just one) and have been very happy with it. You can request a finish sample from SVS to help your decision. The Ultra13 plays very deep and clean, plus hits incredibly loud levels when it's called on. Just be mindful, it's a big unit, much bigger than the Aperion box. But, once placed and dialed in, it'll blend audibly with your setup, plus will impress you continually with its capabilities. I've got mine paired with B&W 803 diamonds and it's musical accuracy is uncanny too.
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post #20 of 32
4/4/12 at 8:47pm
Yep, The PB13 Ultra is about 3 times the size and 3 times heavier than the 12D. OP I would try and find a box close to the size of the SVS and see how it looks and fits in the room. Its does not have the WAF that the Aperion 12 has.
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post #21 of 32
4/4/12 at 9:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gtpsuper24 View Post

Yep, The PB13 Ultra is about 3 times the size and 3 times heavier than the 12D. OP I would try and find a box close to the size of the SVS and see how it looks and fits in the room. Its does not have the WAF that the Aperion 12 has.

On the WAF, I personally think the PB13 is one of the best looking subs out there. Without the grill, it looks pretty slick with the 3 flared ports, but I suppose that's just my own opinion as a guy. The size factor is what will probably aggravate WAF.

But even with the size and weight of the PB13(155 pounds!) I still think its the kind of world class sub that is worth upgrading to.
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post #22 of 32
4/14/12 at 8:49am
Thread Starter 
Just to update this thread, Aperion Audio has refunded the full purchase price of $1099.00 for my Bravus 12D.

Based on this Forum's (and the Aperion Speaker Forum's) recommendations, I was all set to buy either an SVS PB13-Ultra or the SB13-Plus.

Unfortunately, upon closer inspection I think the footprint of the PB13-Ultra may be too big for my HT set up and SVS has discontinued the SB13-Plus.

So at this point I am back to square one regarding the search to replace my 12D Bravus subwoofer.

Can anyone suggest another manufacturer's subwoofer, which includes a cherry veneer finish?

My HT components (Pioneer Plasma TV, Pioneer Elite receiver, Sony PS3 and Verizon DVR) all have black enclosures and the Aperion speakers have black grills so if worse comes to worse would you opt to buy a subwoofer with black finish instead?
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post #23 of 32
4/14/12 at 8:58am
Funk Audio can do a cherry finish. You might give them a call.
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post #24 of 32
4/14/12 at 9:12am
Axiom is the only other ID brand I can think of that offers a cherry finish. But I would go with a plain black finish before I would get an Axiom subwoofer. They are double the price for half the performance compared to the other ID brands.

SVS offers the piano black gloss on there subwoofers are no extra cost. I think a black subwoofer would look nicer than a subwoofer with a cherry finish that may not match the Aperions exactly.
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post #25 of 32
4/14/12 at 10:37am
If you're willing to pay for a cherry PB13-Ultra you may want to consider a Seaton Submersive for a couple bucks more. Smaller footprint than the PB13-Ultra and even better performance. A Submersive is still not small though. JTR makes a sealed Captivator with an even smaller footprint than the Submersive and similar performance. There is the option for cherry with JTR as well.

Otherwise the reference above for Funk Audio may be a good bet as Nate has more offerings below $2k in the pipeline that can be ordered now but are not up on his site yet.
Good luck.
Tim
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post #26 of 32
4/15/12 at 10:29am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys, I will follow up with your suggestions.
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post #27 of 32
4/15/12 at 11:50am



http://www.occamaudio.com/finishedPayPal.html

Scroll down until you see the Sub SD12

This sub offers very good performance for $600, I would buy 2 with your budget.
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post #28 of 32
4/15/12 at 5:29pm
this looks very nice, almost a hybrid between DIY and ready made. It incorporates the O Audio amp and a CSS driver that are popular over in the DIY section. The specs look very good for the $600 price point.
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post #29 of 32
4/15/12 at 5:59pm
Where are you seeing spec's?
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post #30 of 32
4/15/12 at 6:02pm
PC 13 Ultra....place in corner behind speakers you might not even notice it plus it is less expensive than the PB13
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