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SVS PC13 Ultra Support Thread

post #1 of 85
8/1/07 at 11:36am
Thread Starter 
Since they have been delivered, people have some questions and impressions relating to setup and usage of the PC13 Ultra subs from SVS.
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post #2 of 85
8/1/07 at 8:32pm
Yes, I'm waiting for the reviews as well. I'm on the fence right now and want to see if it's worth it or not.
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post #3 of 85
8/1/07 at 8:55pm
I'm on the fence between a SECOND 16-46+ or a PC-ULTRA to go with my CURRENT 16-46+...



NEED MORE INPUT!!!
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post #4 of 85
8/1/07 at 10:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgillyjcu View Post

I'm on the fence between a SECOND 16-46+ or a PC-ULTRA to go with my CURRENT 16-46+...



NEED MORE INPUT!!!

Here's my input, get rid of the 16-46+ and pick up a PC-ULTRA13!
If you need more bass than the new Ultra will give you,
get your ears checked
But really, the bass I'm hearing from the new Ultra is in a different class than anything I've heard from SVS, HSU, etc.... well the HO w/Turbo was pretty darn good, just not as much as this new Ultra is capable of.
The Ultra13's bass reminds me of the JL f113's tuneful, articulate bass....
but on STEROIDS

dc
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post #5 of 85
8/2/07 at 5:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DreamCatcher View Post

Here's my input, get rid of the 16-46+ and pick up a PC-ULTRA13!
If you need more bass than the new Ultra will give you,
get your ears checked
But really, the bass I'm hearing from the new Ultra is in a different class than anything I've heard from SVS, HSU, etc.... well the HO w/Turbo was pretty darn good, just not as much as this new Ultra is capable of.
The Ultra13's bass reminds me of the JL f113's tuneful, articulate bass....
but on STEROIDS

dc

After reading this, I can't wait to get the dual PB13!!!!!!!
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post #6 of 85
8/2/07 at 5:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgillyjcu View Post

I'm on the fence between a SECOND 16-46+ or a PC-ULTRA to go with my CURRENT 16-46+...



NEED MORE INPUT!!!

I'm with DC, drop the 16-46+ and get the Ultra.

But I've been saying that since the beginning.
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post #7 of 85
8/2/07 at 6:38am
LOL....I know I know...


What we all really need to see are some numbers. All those subwoofer test threads that I made....we need some PC-ULTRA owners to do those tests so we can see what the Ultra can do.
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post #8 of 85
8/2/07 at 8:59am
If you decide you want more low end extension, bg, you can always put the Ultra in 10Hz tune . . . I hate to estimate in room extension but even the 15Hz tune should give you at least 12Hz . . . plus all the headroom advantage at higher frequencies . . . available funds aside, why are you considering the 16-46?
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post #9 of 85
8/2/07 at 9:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kweezr View Post

After reading this, I can't wait to get the dual PB13!!!!!!!

Sicko!!!
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post #10 of 85
8/2/07 at 11:00am
I already own a 16-46+.

The next option is to add a 2nd subwoofer which is probably going to be a 2nd 16-46+, unless the reviews and results from the PC or PB-Ultra are just head and shoulders better........I'm a basshead!
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post #11 of 85
8/2/07 at 12:14pm
Of the 2 Ultras I owned (CS with a K1 amp & PC) the better performer was the CS/K1 combo. Both had the Gen2 driver.

Looking forward to reports on the new plate amp. The driver will no doubt be very nice and move big air
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post #12 of 85
8/2/07 at 1:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DreamCatcher View Post

Here's my input, get rid of the 16-46+ and pick up a PC-ULTRA13!
If you need more bass than the new Ultra will give you,
get your ears checked
But really, the bass I'm hearing from the new Ultra is in a different class than anything I've heard from SVS, HSU, etc.... well the HO w/Turbo was pretty darn good, just not as much as this new Ultra is capable of.
The Ultra13's bass reminds me of the JL f113's tuneful, articulate bass....
but on STEROIDS

dc

I can't argue with this, b/c you "own the sub", but this completely baffles me from a logical/numbers perspective. It's like when people say they have a horrible room that crippled their old sub, but their new sub makes it sound great?!?

I am also looking forward to the spec confirmation or 3rd party review.
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post #13 of 85
8/2/07 at 11:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasV555 View Post

I can't argue with this, b/c you "own the sub", but this completely baffles me from a logical/numbers perspective. It's like when people say they have a horrible room that crippled their old sub, but their new sub makes it sound great?!?

I am also looking forward to the spec confirmation or 3rd party review.


How is his post illogical?
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post #14 of 85
8/3/07 at 1:19pm
I posted this on the ht spot site but thought I may get a little more traffic here. I finally calibrated. I want to confirm that I did it correctly. In one of the many subwoofer setups I found on this site there is a mention that when calibrating to set the master volume -10 dB from reference. When I watch movies the volume is usually set to 26dB. So I calibrated at 36dB. Is this correct?
I started with the sub gain set a little over 25%.
I calibrated all channels (L, R, SR, SRB, SLB, SL) to read 75dB to the test tone by adjusting the channel level on the receiver. (I don't have my center channel setup yet as I won't have room until I get the LCD wall mounted). I calibrated the Ultra to about 78dB by adjusting the channel level via the receiver which had me adjust it from my start point of -5 to the final point of +1.0. Does this sound correct? I played the Darla scene and even though my living area is open to most of the house my ears feel like I have just been in a high rise building or airplane. Talk about pressure..or is that pleasure!
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post #15 of 85
8/3/07 at 1:25pm
Play that scene and take your SPL meter out and tell us what numbers you are getting....

I'm curious if you are just sensitive to the bass.........or if the bass is something crazy like 115db+ during that scene...
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post #16 of 85
8/3/07 at 1:26pm
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=811853


check out this darla thread....it might help you put things in perspective..
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post #17 of 85
8/3/07 at 1:32pm
I'm getting like 105 - 107 db
Master Volume at -24dB
Here are the room sizes that make up the open space

Family room - 15 x 19
Brkfst Area - 12 x 9
Kitchen - 12 x 7
Dining room - 12 x 13
Living Room - 12 x 13
Retreat room - 10 x 13

It's a one story open concept home. 2100 total sq ft

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgillyjcu View Post

Play that scene and take your SPL meter out and tell us what numbers you are getting....

I'm curious if you are just sensitive to the bass.........or if the bass is something crazy like 115db+ during that scene...
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post #18 of 85
8/3/07 at 1:48pm
Generally, when running your test tones @ -10, its -10 from 0, but if you are getting 75db at -36 it still should be fine unless you are running way into the positive on the AVRs trims. This could cause sending a clipped signal which is bad for your tweeters.

I run separate amps with no gain control, so setting my reference at -20 works for me. My mains and center are trimmed at -7 and my surrounds at -2...subs at 0 running flat at 72db.

If you are getting Darla @ 105-7dbs, -10 from your reference, then reference would be ~ 115-117...you probably have some headroom as well.
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post #19 of 85
8/3/07 at 3:09pm
dear god....thats pretty impressive for that much open SquareFootage....What is more impressive is that is 16800 CUBIC FEET....(2100 X 8ft Ceiling average).

In the HT world we are more worried about cubic feet than sq....

and thats ALOT of cubic feet for you to be touching 105-107db....

Run your volume at -14db....that would be REFERENCE LEVEL....I'm curious if you would indeed get those 115-117db numbers....
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post #20 of 85
8/3/07 at 8:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by icrnk View Post

I'm getting like 105 - 107 db
Master Volume at -24dB
Here are the room sizes that make up the open space

Family room - 15 x 19
Brkfst Area - 12 x 9
Kitchen - 12 x 7
Dining room - 12 x 13
Living Room - 12 x 13
Retreat room - 10 x 13

It's a one story open concept home. 2100 total sq ft

I believe it!
I did my first "real" run at the Darla scene with my new Ultra13.
I chickened out at 110db
And that was with all my other speakers turned off so they weren't contributing to the SPL level.
The whole house was shaking including my insides
My listening chair, a big sofa type chair, was shaking so hard it was pushing into my back and butt.
My listening room is about 16x19 but opens to the rest of the house via kitchen and doorways (overall 2500 sq ft).
It's kind of a scary experience when you and everything around you is shaking and vibrating to the point that you feel if you go any louder stuff might start shaking apart (like the foundation)!
I followed up Darla with WOTW but at a more "sane" volume level.
This sub has it all, tight articulate bass that seems willing to play as loud and as low as you can stand and still keep it's composure.
Great job SVS..... thanks...... again!

dc
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post #21 of 85
8/3/07 at 8:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DreamCatcher View Post

I believe it!
I did my first "real" run at the Darla scene with my new Ultra13.
I chickened out at 110db
And that was with all my other speakers turned off so they weren't contributing to the SPL level.
The whole house was shaking including my insides
My listening chair, a big sofa type chair, was shaking so hard it was pushing into my back and butt.
My listening room is about 16x19 but opens to the rest of the house via kitchen and doorways (overall 2500 sq ft).
It's kind of a scary experience when you and everything around you is shaking and vibrating to the point that you feel if you go any louder stuff might start shaking apart (like the foundation)!
I followed up Darla with WOTW but at a more "sane" volume level.
This sub has it all, tight articulate bass that seems willing to play as loud and as low as you can stand and still keep it's composure.
Great job SVS..... thanks...... again!

dc

Posts like these are what make us bassheads go nuts.
Makes me want 2 of these new Ultras.. Oh the craving for more bass....

EDIT: Question, anyone have the new Ultra and a Fathom? I'm wondering about the sound quality, it's very important to me.
I also don't have too much experience with downfiring subs.. Does the new tube give a tactile-floor effect? Previous subs (Sunfire Signature with active driver facing down, used some feet to keep it up) shook the floor a bit. Maybe the ultra does this as well?
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post #22 of 85
8/3/07 at 9:31pm
I got my Ultra13 today. Its like a smaller black hot water heater, very large and makes you smile right off the bat.

I have never had a sub before and obviously dont know what I am doing in setting it up for a "ear only" test. I dont have a SPL meter and its not going to stay in the upstairs living room, but the theater is far from done and I just had to hook it up. It will be placed back in the box after I play with it for a while and stored for the theater use. (just like the 49tx and the M&K's)

I put in Darla scene and played around with it for a little while. Also the lightning scene in WOTW. I obviously dont have it set up right because I was sitting right next to it on the floor and I wasnt getting the "scare the s out of you bass". Maybe I didnt have the receiver up loud enough.

I will be playing with it tommorow. I dont think my receiver is completely set up right. Or the controls on the sub arent set correctly.

Where should the gain, phase, crossover knobs be set on? My receiver only goes down to 100 on the lowest crosover setting.

The currect receiver is an older Pioneer 508 and normally we listen to movies with the volume set at about -35. Still low enough to carry on a conversation. This will change once the theater is built.

On the build quality. I though that this monster would be pretty ugly, but it is pretty decent looking. If I hadnt planned for hidden speaker set up in the new theater I would not object to it being exposed. BUT keep in mind to those concidering, regarding size, ITS HUGE! and yes I smile ever time I turn my head and star at it.

Scott
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post #23 of 85
8/3/07 at 11:03pm
I'm going to have to do this some other time as my wife is asleep right now and it's about 1:00am. On a side note, I have 10ft high ceilings. What I'm having to get accustomed to is the bass quality as it just seems to emanate out of no where whereas I am more used to localized unnatural sounding bass. The bass quality is really something different but at the same time soo clean. I'm kind of scared to try it with the volume at -14db. I could already hear stuff shaking in my in the kitchen and also what appeard to be the duct work in my attic. That was the most odd feeling to hear that sort of response from my house.

PS - Did I go about calibrating correctly? This is the first time I ever used a SPL meter and was somewhat unclear on the proper procedure to calibrate.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgillyjcu View Post

dear god....thats pretty impressive for that much open SquareFootage....What is more impressive is that is 16800 CUBIC FEET....(2100 X 8ft Ceiling average).

In the HT world we are more worried about cubic feet than sq....

and thats ALOT of cubic feet for you to be touching 105-107db....

Run your volume at -14db....that would be REFERENCE LEVEL....I'm curious if you would indeed get those 115-117db numbers....
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post #24 of 85
8/4/07 at 3:06am
Damn, you guys with these amazing early reports are making me want to order the new Ultra and compare it to my dual VTF3.3's. Sounds like SVS has really raised the bar!
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post #25 of 85
8/4/07 at 4:36am
Here's a link to proper subwoofer calibration:

http://forums.soundandvisionmag.com/...hread.id=59946
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post #26 of 85
8/4/07 at 5:46am
Sorry started a thread on this I have a F113 that I picked up to try out with my Servo 15v2. I'm very impressed with the F113 it really puts out the bass. But I wonder what it would be compared to the new PB13 Ultra. Has anyone done a compare yet?
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post #27 of 85
8/4/07 at 6:17am
If everything goes according to plan, PB13s start shipping in a couple weeks or so
AFAIK no reports vs JL from the few folks who have received PC13s so far . . .
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post #28 of 85
8/4/07 at 6:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoSport View Post

I got my Ultra13 today. Its like a smaller black hot water heater, very large and makes you smile right off the bat.

I have never had a sub before and obviously dont know what I am doing in setting it up for a "ear only" test. I dont have a SPL meter and its not going to stay in the upstairs living room, but the theater is far from done and I just had to hook it up. It will be placed back in the box after I play with it for a while and stored for the theater use. (just like the 49tx and the M&K's)

I put in Darla scene and played around with it for a little while. Also the lightning scene in WOTW. I obviously dont have it set up right because I was sitting right next to it on the floor and I wasnt getting the "scare the s out of you bass". Maybe I didnt have the receiver up loud enough.

I will be playing with it tommorow. I dont think my receiver is completely set up right. Or the controls on the sub arent set correctly.

Where should the gain, phase, crossover knobs be set on? My receiver only goes down to 100 on the lowest crosover setting.

The currect receiver is an older Pioneer 508 and normally we listen to movies with the volume set at about -35. Still low enough to carry on a conversation. This will change once the theater is built.

On the build quality. I though that this monster would be pretty ugly, but it is pretty decent looking. If I hadnt planned for hidden speaker set up in the new theater I would not object to it being exposed. BUT keep in mind to those concidering, regarding size, ITS HUGE! and yes I smile ever time I turn my head and star at it.

Scott

Hi-

You'll need to calibrate it to really enjoy your sub. How long until your HT built?
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post #29 of 85
8/4/07 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by icrnk View Post


PS - Did I go about calibrating correctly? This is the first time I ever used a SPL meter and was somewhat unclear on the proper procedure to calibrate.


If your speakers were at 75 dB and your sub was at 78 , you are about 6 dB too hot. The RS meter isn't as sensitive to low bass and reads a little less than actual. Try it at 73 and go from there.

Calibration is your zero point reference. You may want to adjust up or down to taste.

Be sure and read the link that Rockem provided and realize that it takes a few run thrus to understand what you are doing, but then you can experiment and mess around and easily get back to your zero point.
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post #30 of 85
8/4/07 at 9:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tweakophyte View Post

Hi-

You'll need to calibrate it to really enjoy your sub. How long until your HT built?


I will have to settle with calibrate by ear right now. I messed with it a minute ago and found that the receiver wasnt set up properly for the sub. I made some initial changes and holy S. My living room is open to the rest of the house (ie foyer, kitchen, dining room, hall, open stair to basement. I plopped in WOTW and watched the scene where the first ship started cracking the ground and comes out of the ground..... OK. Everything in the LR was shaking. And I think I actually have it set low! I set it to 1/3 gain, no X over, 0 phase, no room compensation, no eq. Pretty cool. Further testing needed!

Now its going to be hard to box this beast back up, (might not happen!).

On the theater note. I have quite a bit to do. I lack 6 seams of mud and tape for the finish of the second layer of drywall. I will then start of the column design (8 of them) and proscenium, stage, riser.

Scott
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