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Which is the better sub svs or paradigm

4722 Views 65 Replies 31 Participants Last post by  bhchan
I am looking into purchasing a new sub and i have narrowed it down to servo 15 version 2 and svs pb12 ultra.Which one do you guys think will be the better sub?Are they about equal in sound quality or is one better than the other?Thanks for your help!
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This should be fun.....................
Ditto, 6FU!


You won't find anyone more pleased than I with their Paradigm Servo 15 (and the x-30 that comes with it). I love mine, and feel that it works with my system and room real well. Having said that, it would be silly for me to to try to convince you that the Paradigm is better than an SVS. Obviously I think so, because I bought the Paradigm... But you may think differently! Go out and listen to both, and make up your own mind what sounds better. Don't be a Lemming and let someone make up your mind for you on this!
Also notice that SVS PB12-Ultra isn't available yet. I would wait though. ;)
I'm sure they are both amazing subs. The slight disadvantage to the SVS is that it is harder to audition than the Servo 15. You may want to try audioenvy.com or maybe hook up with someone in this forum that wouldn't mind having you over for a quick audition when the PB12 ultra comes out.


I'm sure you won't be disappointed on either one though.
They're both awesome subs, i'm sure you can't go wrong and you'll be happy. I've also been shopping and personally, i've decided to go with SVS.


The Ultra was reviewed by SHT and they considered it "reference quality". The article is quite detailed...

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...er-9-2004.html
They truly are both fantastic subs. I think the differences are substantial enough for yiorgo to make up his mind.


The PB12-Ultra/2 will have higher output and player lower than the Servo 15 V.2 so if you use it for a lot of movies and you like it earthshaking this ones for you.


The servo is sealed (ultra=ported) and some feel this design produces tighter bass and blends better with mains for music.


That being said the Ultra still kicks ass for music and the Servo is still great for home theater so I doubt you'll regret your decision no matter what you decide. I have to be honest, I have the Ultra and LOVE IT. I also had a Servo 15v.1 which I thought was great for music and very good for HT. I've not heard v.2 but those who have heard v.1 and v.2 say the improvements to the v.2 are very noticeable.


Ilkka,

The Ultra is available in black now, the various finishes should be coming soon but I've not heard of any specific dates yet.

Tim
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Quote:
Originally posted by capecodorthopod


Ilkka,

The Ultra is available in black now, the various finishes should be coming soon but I've not heard of any specific dates yet.

Tim
It's not available yet. PCU is.


PB12-Ultra

Pre-order starts on or about 1 MAR, 05. Shipping APR (est.)
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Wow, this has been amazingly civil for a sub thread with the letters SVS in it. Keep it up.
Amazing indeed. I think you really have to listen to both to know which is right for you. Without getting into which plays louder db at 20hz or blah blah blah - Specs don't always tell the whole story.


To provide some evidence of what I mean, go compare the Servo-15 to the PW-2200, which has very close specs. You will soon see that "close specs" and sounding similar are very different.


The PW-2200 plays very loudly, but is way more boomy, and chuffy - can give the illusion of playing louder than it is, but also calls attention to itself more than the Servo-15 - still a good sub, but not near the level of the Servo.


This is not to compare the PW with the SVS, but simply to state that specs don't always tell the whole story. Ported doesn't always mean inferior, but it does take a well-designed ported sub for you not to notice that it's a ported sub. Without comparing the 'Digm with the SVS head to head you really won't know which you prefer.


-Craig
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Can you have too much sub for a particular speaker setup? I'm going with the paradigm studio 60's, cc470 and adp-470's. Would the servo 15 be too noticeable with those speakers? I'm only powering them with a denon 2805.


When I mean noticeable I guess I mean too loud. It would seem to be a waste of money if I was barely using the power of the servo 15.
The Servo-15 is very accurate, and easy to blend. While it is capable of playing very loudly, it is also very good at moderate levels. So, whether you are looking for seamless integration, or blow-your-socks-off bass, the Servo-15 delivers. This said, if you don't really play at loud levels, and never will, then you could find another high quality sub for less, that will sound great, but just won't put of the db level of a Servo-15.


Servo-15 is tough to beat - plays very deep, very loud, and very accurate. Downside is cost.


If cost isn't the concern, you can't go wrong with the Servo-15. Properly calibrated it will blend seamlessly and not overshadow your current setup.....think to the future - I imagine that you'll upgrade your speakers at some point - at least getting the Servo-15 now, will eliminate the need to upgrade the sub section for quite some time.


-Craig
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Sorry Illka I thought you were referring the the dual driver version of the Ultra.
Quadlog it will sound fantastic i started with basically that system and it was magical, i have since moved on to 40's and 20's as my surrounds and bought a second servo and its amazing. you be very pleased im sure of it and it will not be too noticeable as long as its calibrated.
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Amazing indeed. I think you really have to listen to both to know which is right for you. Without getting into which plays louder db at 20hz or blah blah blah - Specs don't always tell the whole story.


To provide some evidence of what I mean, go compare the Servo-15 to the PW-2200, which has very close specs. You will soon see that "close specs" and sounding similar are very different.


The PW-2200 plays very loudly, but is way more boomy, and chuffy - can give the illusion of playing louder than it is, but also calls attention to itself more than the Servo-15 - still a good sub, but not near the level of the Servo.
What "very close specs" are you referring to that might lead one to believe these two subwoofers would sound similar?
If you get the latest Senisible Sound....there is a great review of the PC-Ultra by Howard Ferstler(I know not everyone's favorite).


There are some comparison numbers with the Servo-15 included, as well as sound quality comparisons with Ferstler's own modified SVS and a Hsu TN1220. Some good statements about loudness and being practical.


Bottomline, it is a great subwoofer, it is not the loudest at 20hz, sound quality is as good as servo units, but what makes it standout is the parametric EQ.


I would imagine most of the statements would also hold true for the new PB12-Ultra.
I considered the Servo-15 V2, but decided to get the SVS PC-Ultra. I could get two Ultra's for close to the price of the Servo. The PC-ULtra has EQ, bypassable crossover, sub sonic filter adjustment. This was too much to pass up for the money considering I was getting equal performace feedback when I was asking the question of which of these two subs to purchase.

I am very pleased with the PC-Ultra.
Well this is coming from someone who hasn't bought either sub yet. But let's make this perfectly clear - from the research I've done and the reviews I've read (over 500) SVS is the clear winner in terms of support and communication from the company. In terms of musicality and HT impact customers are actually addicted to SVS - sort of a cult following. Personally, I've become more commited to the SVS purchase from reading the negative posts and fair reviews (hard to find) - the complaints, the few that there are, are purely esoteric in nature, aesthetic at best - this wets my appetite.


I pulling the trigger this week on the PB12-ISD/2....
Have you listened to eithor of them?
Quote:
Originally posted by N8DOGG
Have you listened to eithor of them?


:D
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