New SVS SB1000 & PB1000 Subwoofers!! - Page 3

Hi Jim,

Given your initial impression, how do you think the PB1000 compares to the VTF-2 MK subs?

Under most circumstances it will, but placement is going to be critical to ensure success. I understand having limited options, so you'll have to do whatever works best for you, but unless you can place the two of them in a manner that's conducive to your goal the end result may not be as good as it could be.

Bazzy, you're everywhere!

I actually had my choice of which one to review, and I selected the PB1000 over the SB1000. Reason being is the SB1000 struck me as a "light" version of SB12-NSD, so I'm not 100% certain I understand what market it's targeted at. The SB12 is a proven commodity with an excellent track record, so why produce something just a tiny bit smaller with a little less performance? Even the price is only $150 (US) difference, which for most is probably not a deal breaker.

The PB1000, on the other hand, is unlike any other current SVS product, so it strikes me as a solid new market for them to position a sub. It's almost like a reincarnation of the PB10-NSD, which was heralded as an amazing bargain from what I gather (I never had the opportunity to hear it myself unfortunately).

I did encounter one interesting anomaly with the PB1000 last night though... I ran a few of my test scenes -- WotW Emergence, LotR Bridge at Khazad Doom, Tron The Games -- and it all sounded very good, except Tron. When I got to that one the bass was a horrible drone, with a total loss of clarity and definition. I had to turn the gain and AVR volume way down because it was actually annoying. I popped in WotW again and that was fine, so it seems as though it didn't like Tron for some reason. I hooked the XS15 back up so I can finish reviewing that one. This weekend I'm going to try it with the XS15 and see if my Tron disk went bad or something. It's a brand new OPPO BDP103 player, so I don't think that's the issue.

I've never had the opportunity to hear a VTF-2, so I can't make a definitive pronouncement, but I'm not sure SVS is targeting that sub with the PB1000. My guess is it's more comparable to the VTF-1 instead.

Trying out some music today with the PB-1000. Good for finding all the loosely attached things throughout the front of the house. May need to consider taping certain things down.

Nice! I pulled the trigger on a PB-1000 last night. I was thinking of going with the VTF-2 MK4 but decided that $499 including shipping for a sub that will do 19 Hz is a better deal. Christmas is coming early this year. Going to see if I can blend it with my Dayton Sub-1200s but more than likely I will be retiring them.

Sorry in my attempts at a double post but after finding this thread I think that my ? may apply. Which should I get the PB-1000 or the SB-1000? http://www.avsforum.com/t/1444211/help-choosing-a-sub-w-a-500-budget

Based upon what you posted in that other thread the SB1000 seems like it would be the better choice.

I am in a similar situation so I'm interested as well. Is it just because of the smaller size that you recommend the SB1000 or that he mainly wants it for music?

I'm building a new HT, and am researching what wires I should be running behind the walls. I'll probably future proof for 7.1 or 7.2. The PB1000 is a strong contender in the 'biggest bang for the buck' angle, but i'm wondering if my 13 x 20 x 8 room should get two, and how should i wire these subs? I haven't upgraded my receiver yet (overwhelmed researching that), but the type of sub or subs i choose could help me to determine my receiver.

Please help, so many questions, not enough clear answers. I'd love to settle on my speakers, sub and receiver so I can start looking for the best price.

Generally speaking, a sealed subwoofer is better for music. That type of design tends to sound a little tighter and cleaner. The 19Hz extension provided by the PB1000 will be of little use for most types of music, so that's not much of a selling feature in his case.

My room is 13x17x8, so not too different from yours. Choosing 1 or 2 would depend upon how loud you like it. Once I started getting towards -10 the PB1000 was getting a little unhappy. In your case, duals may very well be the best choice. If nothing else, having a pair will smooth out the overall sound.

Cables are just standard RCA coax. If you're running them through a wall I'd get something of decent quality, but beyond that they're not really special.

Hey Jim,

Have you heard the LFM-1 Plus before? If so how would you compare the PB1000 to it?

The only Outlaw sub I've had any exposure to is the EX, not the Plus I'm afraid.

Yeah I am focusing mostly on music so I hear sealed is better. Plus 24Hz is still pretty low for movies isn't it? The size of the SB1000 is a huge selling point for me too. The only concern I have in getting the SB1000 is if it will be loud enough. I think my studio is roughly about 2000-2200 cubic feet...ceilings are 8ft not 9ft like I thought. One person mentioned that the PB1000 is rattling the little things in his house lol. The SB12-NSD seems to deliver pretty well too, based on the reviews. I wonder if the SB1000 will be close to the PB and NSD version in how loud it can get. I'm sure it is still probably a lot better than the HSU STF-2 and should just take that one off my list.

edit***

I just got off the phone with SVS pre-purchase support...they really are great, I got a callback in two minutes and got a lot of questions answered. Basically he said the SB1000 will be better for traditional bass in music that sits around the 40Hz-80Hz ranges than the PB-1000. But once I told him I really want to hear/feel the bass from dubstep and other electronica he recommended the PB1000 since it will hit those really low frequencies a lot harder than the SB1000. Looks like I'm getting the PB1000
Edited by Trace79 - 12/9/12 at 2:35pm

Thanks Jim, I thought RCA Coax would suffice, but when i started researching subs, higher end ones all have dual rca inputs, outputs as well as high level speaker wire inputs. I was starting to wonder if there was an enhanced format of wiring a sub. Glad to know I can stick with the MONO RCA input (although i'm not familiar with LFE). So, it looks like a 7.2 receiver then, thank you. I'll start with one PB1000 and add another if needed.

24Hz is solid for such a small sub. Often times you'll also get "room gain", which can help make it dig a little deeper.

Some amps will "sum" the two inputs giving greater sensitivity, meaning you won't have to turn the gain up quite as high. Most subs today work like that it seems, but if you opt to use both low level inputs all you need is a Y adapter for the RCA connection. That's pretty much what most people do, whether or not their cable is run through a wall.

I had a single cable hooked up to my RW12 while I was waiting on the y adaptor to be delivered. When I hooked up to both ports I noticed it was a little louder at the same receiver volume so I turned down the gain on the sub 2dB to compensate.

But if you read the owner's manuals for those subs, they will invariably:
- tell you to use a specific input (L or R, usually designated "LFE"); or
- let you choose to use either the L or R input, or both inputs.

Thanks again Jim and eljaycanuck, I believe i've decided on the Onkyo 818 as it is the least expensive AV receiver that has Audyssey XT-32 which i've been lead to believe is the best to control speaker sound setup with bass. Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.
So to plan my project, it looks like I should run 16 gauge 'in-wall' speaker wire (yes/no?), and qaulity RCA cable for the subs, for example;

http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-feet-Ultra-Series-Connectors/dp/B003FVX9FO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1355098220&sr=8-4&keywords=subwoofer+cable

Due to cost and future proofing, I may start with 5.1, and move to 7.1, then 7.2.
Which leaves me with preplanning speaker/subwoofer wire and placement.
If i'm running wires behind the walls, a 7 vs 5 speaker setup differs for placement. So I may have to leave lots of wire at the rear or side outlets to set up for 5.1 as they shift in a 7.1 set up.
For subwoofer, would the placement of 1 differ when I have 2, if so, what's the best placement for a rectangular room?

The 818 has XT32, which is excellent, but keep in mind that it does not have Sub EQ HT, which: That's a non-issue for a single-sub set-up, but it may - or may not - be an issue with a dual-sub set-up.
16ga. is fine for shorter runs; 14ga. for longer runs; 12ga. for very long runs - see this page for more info. The Mediabridge sub cable looks good, as do the Monoprice cables (such as this one).
IMO, sub crawl and some trial and error.

This page on the Audyssey website will tell you which AVRs have both technologies.
A larger gauge should not have any adverse effects on anything. For my longer (50') runs, I use 12ga. in-wall; for everything else, 14ga. No problems.
Well, since you asked... ...I'm a fan of Paradigm's Studio-series speakers. And I'm a proponent of buying gently-used when it comes to speakers. (For subs, I'd go new.) Unfortunately, other than suggestiong the obvious - that you demo as many different brands and types as you can in order to get an idea of what sort of sound you like - I haven't really got much else to offer on that subject.

Now that I've started looking into the SB1000, I can't help but wonder about the SB12-NSD, especially since it's on sale at Sonic Boom Audio. Like Jim said, it is only $150 difference and an inch or so more compact. Does anyone have any thoughts on the SB1000 vs. the SB12-NSD?

I would give SVS a call, but for $150 you are getting a slightly bigger box, a better amp, and most likely an upgraded woofer. I think it is probably worth it, but tough call.

I've ordered an SB1000 and it should be here on Thursday. I'll let you guys know what I think. I wanted the SB12-NSD (especially since it came in glossy black and the sb1000 will sadly be the only wood in my contemporary decorated house) but the SB1000 is already a little out of my price range so I couldn't justify the extra. Plus my place is pretty small anyway.

Please do, I'm sure others will benefit from your insight. Make sure it's fully broken in and calibrated before you do too much critical listening though.

Looking forward to your 'review' on the SB1000, Grenade!

And every day I check back here to see if you have any more to say about the sub prior to your formal review, Jim. Looking forward to your thoughts!

It's probably going to be a little while before I have much more to post about it I'm afraid; there are a few other subwoofers that need to be reviewed before I can get to the PB1000. It does seem like people are buying them though, so perhaps others will post their thoughts as well.