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SVS PB12-NSD vs Polk PSW505

post #1 of 6
1/9/13 at 10:21pm
Thread Starter 
I know this is a silly comparison, but I thought I would post for anyone that may be interested in this comparison. I've only had the SVS for a day, but my initial impression is different than expected. Rather than sounding louder, the SVS actually seems quieter. I think because the Polk was much more "boomy." Rather than hearing the bass, I feel it more now. I haven't experienced that complete blown away factor yet, but I can tell you I have a serious headache after listening to the SVS for a couple of hours. Never experienced that with the Polk. I will take that as a sign that the SVS is creating a higher SPL.

I've been so used to associating bass with boomy noises, I just expected much more of the same. I almost don't even hear the SVS, just feel it. I hope this helps anyone interested in this comparison.
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post #2 of 6
1/9/13 at 10:38pm
I used to own the Polk505 and now have a SVS NSD 12/2 the difference I noticed was that boomy noise was actually distortion while the SVS was more quiet it actually was producing no distortion and you actually felt the bass instead of hearing the distortion of lower frequencies that the Polk couldn't produce properly. In my system I added four mid bass subs (40-80Hz) for overall mid bass punch while my SVS only handles all bass below 40Hz so I get that tight well controlled bass you hear and the SVS is handling all the bass you can feel (my awkward room required the MBM's otherwise in most rooms the SVS would be more than enough.

In time you'll learn to love the SVS and when you go to showrooms and hear boominess you'll smile knowing people are paying for distortion while your enjoying tight bass the way it should be.
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post #3 of 6
1/10/13 at 9:47am
Thread Starter 
I think the more I listen, the more I will like the SVS. It will just take some time getting used to not hearing what I used to think was bass. What are you using for your midbass? HSU?

Unfortunately, my couch is almost directly in the middle of room, with a large opening for the dining room right behind the couch. My wife will not allow for different placement, so I'm stuck with my less than optimal listening position. I have noticed the bass sounds louder near the walls.
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post #4 of 6
1/11/13 at 1:30am
Slick I use two DefTech Supercube 1's and two DefTech Prosub 1000's as my mid bass subs 40-80Hz. I found def tech was not too good for deep frequency extension but were very quick, tight and loud for mid bass sound. So with four mid bass subs and my SVS handling everything below 40Hz I get very clean (and very loud) mid bass and deep bass in my main HT.

If I could afford it my dream system would be seven SVS PB-13's ( for each channel) and an Infinate Baffle sub for the "Main Subs" granted my woman would leave me and my dogs would cower Everytime I put on a movie but hey sacrifices would have to be made. :-)
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post #5 of 6
1/11/13 at 6:04am
Quote:
It will just take some time getting used to not hearing what I used to think was bass.
Sometimes, less (noise) is more. wink.gif Congrats on the new sub! smile.gif
Quote:
Unfortunately, my couch is almost directly in the middle of room, with a large opening for the dining room right behind the couch. My wife will not allow for different placement, so I'm stuck with my less than optimal listening position.
Is the location of the sub fixed, and have you done a sub crawl? If the answer to both those questions is 'no', do a crawl to see if there's one or more spots that offer better response at the listening position than does the current spot, and then put the sub in whichever location gets the WAF nod. smile.gif
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post #6 of 6
1/11/13 at 6:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slick7108514 View Post

I know this is a silly comparison, but I thought I would post for anyone that may be interested in this comparison. I've only had the SVS for a day, but my initial impression is different than expected. Rather than sounding louder, the SVS actually seems quieter. I think because the Polk was much more "boomy." Rather than hearing the bass, I feel it more now. I haven't experienced that complete blown away factor yet, but I can tell you I have a serious headache after listening to the SVS for a couple of hours. Never experienced that with the Polk. I will take that as a sign that the SVS is creating a higher SPL.

I've been so used to associating bass with boomy noises, I just expected much more of the same. I almost don't even hear the SVS, just feel it. I hope this helps anyone interested in this comparison.

The quasi-anechoic FR of both subs is drastically different - so I'm not surprised you also subjectively find the two subs quite different. The PSW505 will emphasize the 50-70 Hz band and will underrepresent the 18-36 Hz octave - whereas the PB12-NSD is essentially flat over the entire 20-80 Hz bandwidth. So if you have become accustomed to hearing the PSW505 FR, changing to the PB12-NSD will require an adjustment period, and your initial impression may be 'where did the mid-bass go'. After your ears acclimate I'm sure you'll find the bass presentation from the PB12-NSD to be more accurate sounding and less fatiguing.
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