Paradigm Reference Servo-15

Haris Ellahi · 05-25-2003, 08:50 AM

Anyone here have this subwoofer? How is it for home theater? How is the impact, slam, and accuracy? How do you think it will compare to the SVS PB2-Plus?

Dustin B · 05-25-2003, 09:40 AM

It won't in impact and slam. An SVS PCi could outgun a Servo 15 (and a PB2 is like a pair of PC+ subs). Usable extension below 20hz will be about the same. But if you plug a port in the PB2 and give up a little of it's output advantage you'll have more useable extension.

As for accuracy, both are very accurate. Will depend on what sound you like better. Servo controlled sealed, or a well done bass reflex. Some people don't like servos and some people don't like ports.

Haris Ellahi · 05-25-2003, 10:45 AM

How will the Paradigm Reference Servo-15 compare to a Velodyne HGS-18 and HGS-15 for home theater?

Haris Ellahi · 05-25-2003, 02:00 PM

Anyone?

Ron_L · 05-25-2003, 03:43 PM

Servo 15 kicks ass hands down. Haris, just go and listen to your choices in person and make the decision yourself. Let your ears decide.

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Jamey F · 05-25-2003, 08:40 PM

I own the Servo-15. I upgraded from a PS-1000. Moving from a $500 sub to a $1500 sub, I should expect a great deal of difference. Indeed I have. There is more output, but the true difference is in quality. The Servo-15 is fast, accurate, and goes low. I listen to about 70/30 HT/Music right now. Before it was tilted even more in the HT area. I really enjoy the musical nature of the Servo-15 compared to the ported PS-1000. For just the most output, look elsewhere and get 2, but for accuracy/depth in HT and a nice musical side, the Servo-15 does a very nice job. I have a 17.5 x 21.5 room, and the Servo-15 gives me more than enough slam. It does so well, I haven't had to look for the limits of it when compared to my studio 100's, 20's, and CC running off a Denon 3803. I might could turn it up a bit more, if I added an external amp to power my front 3 speakers.

ChrisDixon · 05-25-2003, 10:12 PM

I'm not sure the ports are to blame for the poor musical performance of the PS-1000. It is a bandpass design, which puts emphasis on moving as much air as possible, but they tend to be boomy and slower for music. I used to own one before winning an SVS in a contest on this forum. The difference in speed and accuracy is night and day, and the SVS is not sealed.

Chris

Jamey F · 05-25-2003, 10:30 PM

I didn't intend to say that a ported design can't be good musically. I didn't even mention ported vs. nonported. The PS-1000 is a great, cheap sub for HT. With the 7semk3 or mini-monitors speakers up front I needed a sub. When listening to music, that was the weakest link in my system and easily noticable. I switched to an all Studio system, but adding the Servo 15 was second most profound upgrade. The most impressive upgrade was switching out the fronts for studio 100's. Both of these upgrades really gave me a much more musical system capable of clarity I couldn't get with the PS-1000 sub and 7semk3's.

As I said in my first post, the servo-15 is a very nice sub for HT and Music, but if your primary focus is HT, I would look elsewhere because of the expense of the servo-15. I haven't auditioned them, but I would expect two PW-2200s would exceed one servo-15 in output at about the same cost. I'm sure other brands would yield similar results. I recommend going to listen to the Servo-15 and others you are interested in.

Dustin B · 05-25-2003, 10:39 PM

Except for the bottom of the last octave a single PW2200 will slightly outgun a Servo15 and two will up the difference by 6dB.

As Chris mentioned the PS1000 is a bandpass design. On a bandpass of the type the PS1000 is, the ports are the only thing making sound. The PW2200 is what is traditionally called a ported sub (bass reflex). The driver does all the work until you get close to the tuning point of the port. then the port starts to take over, covering a narrow range at the bottom of the subs bandwidth.

I've never heard a good bandpass sub and my reading leads me to believe one doesn't exist. Good sealed (also known as acoustic suspension) and good ported (also known as vented, or bass reflex) are quite common. But then bad examples of both are just as common.

Ariel · 05-26-2003, 01:13 AM

it is hard to verify that the pw2200 will outgun the servo15 as there is no newer comparison of the 2. the review of T.N was a few years back and different condition and the last that i read, paradigm has improved the driver in the servo15 (now servo15a - something like allowing the driver for a greater excursion).