SVS vs. Paradigm (Opinions)

SeanV · 07-25-2003, 08:02 AM

Well I'm on the verge of getting my first HT together. I was auditioning the Studio 40 and 100's when the rep asked what sub I was going to go with. I said probably something from SVS (25-31PCI or 20-39PCI) to which he replied "who?". He then proceeded to tell me that he had never heard of SVS and that the Paradigm PS-1000 or 1200 would be much better than anything they made at the same price point. He also said that if I purchased the SVS to make sure I could return it and he would allow me to bring it into his shop and he would do a side by side comparison, he was that confident (he also made this offer when I said that I would be auditioning the B&W 602/603). Has anyone actually heard BOTH the SVS and the Paradigm and what is your opinion.

Nat Ward · 07-25-2003, 08:14 AM

Unfortunately I can't answer your question just like you wanted, but I can give you my opinion. I have Studio 60s, CC, and 20s in my HT system and started off with a PS-1200. If you're going for straight home theater, I thought it was pretty good. Goes pretty low, and hit levels that were more than enough for my apartment

. Buuuut, I'm a 60/40 music/HT guy, and it just didn't do it for me with this split. Don't get me wrong, it's not like it sounded like poop, but I just felt like it was a split second behind the mains at all times. In my situation there were some frequencies it just "really liked" too, which made some music sound boomy. I'm curently on a long work assignment away from home that is hooking me up with lots of overtime, and when I get back in a month I'm pretty sure I'm going to try a CS-Ultra. The guys at SVS are great, straight forward and very quick to respond. WIth all the glowing reviews and return policy, I figure I'd be stupid if I didn't give it a try. If you listen to either of the Paradigm subs and like 'em, go for it. If you can cope with the possibilty of repackaging and returning a SVS if you don't like it, I'd say go for it, you don't have much to lose!

Nat Ward

Robb Roy · 07-25-2003, 08:52 AM

SeanV,

I haven't heard a paradigm subwoofer outside of the show room, but both of those subs have smaller enclosures, less power, and less extension than an SVS PCi series sub. I suggest you be willing to take advantage of SVS's 45 day return policy, bring it to your local hi-fi shop, and educate your salesperson.

Note, I have never heard anything from Paradigm I didn't like, especially for the money, it's just that I doubt either of those subs are going to keep up with an SVS.

-Robb

Bob McElfresh · 07-25-2003, 10:32 AM

Sean, of course the salesman will say that. Everything HE sells will automatically be better than what anyone else sells.

While Paradigm speakers are outstanding, they dont have a reputation for super-great subs. SVS only does subwoofers and they compare very well to other, subwoofer-only lines. And it's really, really hard to put 2 subs in a room and do a comparison. Placement and room-response are a BIG factor, and human hearing is very poor at subwoofer frequencies. Unless you really know what you are doing, and have instruments to measure performance - you really cannot do a honest comparison.

Smile, nod, and thank the salesman for his offer. Then buy the SVS. Few customers have ever regretted it.

ChrisHeflen · 07-25-2003, 11:21 AM

I would take the salesman up on his offer. Purchase a SVS, they have good return policy, take it to the store and do a side by side. You might embarrass the whole shop. Who knows, you might give SVS a whole new group of customers!
I'm sure the SVS could rock it up.
I am a Paradigm PW2200 owner. I love it. It shakes my house way more than I need.
Try them both in your house and see which one best works for you.

**HTF Ads**

SeanV · 07-25-2003, 01:02 PM

Bob,
Funny that you wrote that :-) . I was actually in the process of emailing SVS, realizing pretty much the same thing that you said.

Now I just have to decide between the studios or the B&W 600s. This is what I'm probably looking at as a setup:

Marantz 7300 (currently a Sony STR-DE695)
Sony 32"Wega (until plasma/LCD is affordable)

fronts: studio 40/60 or B&W 602.5/603
surround: atoms or 601s
center: studio CC or LCR4(?)

Thanks for the input....it was greatly appreciated.

JeffHayes · 07-25-2003, 04:31 PM

Sean,

Just wanted to voice another opinion in favor of the SVS subs. I currently am running an all Paradigm 7.1 system in the theater room through a B&K AVR507 receiver. I use the Studio 40s, Studio CC, ADP-450 and SA-25 inwalls in this room. I will be purchasing an SVS 20-39PC+ for this room. Currently I dragged my Paradigm PW-2200 from the downstairs family room theater into the upstairs theater and it is my bass source. It sound great, don't get me wrong... but I think the SVS will put it in it's place when I order it. I have spoken at length with Tom V. of SVS and you can't ask for better customer service or attitude when it comes to helping you decide on a product.

I'm sure I'll be ranting and raving like the rest of the SVS maniacs around here once I receive my SVS. Now if only I can get my wife to take the baby out of the house so I can crank up U571...

Good luck,
Jeff

PS - FWIW, the PW-2200 and the Servo-15 subs are the only subs worth mentioning when it comes to Paradigm IMHO. The lower models truly suffer from mud and over extension quite easily. I actually prefer the 2200 to the Servo-15, as I felt that the Servo lacked some of the tightness with music that I was looking for in a sub.

David Smith · 07-25-2003, 04:49 PM

Jeff (and Sean),

I had owned a PW-2200 for the last year or so, and recently dove in and bought a 20-39 PC+ and the Samson 1000 watt amp. Not much time to write now, but to make a long story short, the SVS does everything that the PW-2200 does, only much better!

Believe it or not, they actually test out very similar in my room. The difference is, the SVS is SOOOO much tighter and more controlled.

Here’s the easiest (and very accurate) way to tell:

When running test tones under about 40 Hz or so with the Paradigm, my sound level meter actually jumps around like crazy. The lower the frequency, the worse it gets.

With the SVS, it literally sits perfectly still, even at 20 hz. It is just completely smooth and tight, there’s no better way to explain it.

The end result is really an amazing difference, and I loved my PW-2200 before!

SeanV · 07-25-2003, 06:49 PM

Thanks all for your input. I just heard from SVS and it was recommended that I get the 25-31PCI tuned to 22hz. So an SVS is definitely in the cards. I just auditioned the studio 40s (they were blown when I auditioned the 60s) and after much reading I gave the atoms a listen (nice). Tomorrow I'm going to check out the B&W 601/602.5 /603. It looks like it will be a decision between Paradigm and B&W coming soon. The dealer is giving me a "slight" break on the 40s because they're the V.2s not the newer V.3s. So we will see soon enough. Once again thanks for the input.

Sean

JeffHayes · 07-25-2003, 10:13 PM

David,

Are you sure you didn't get the 20-39 CS+ not the PC+? I only ask because I am wondering what you would do with the Samson amp since the PC+ is an active sub.

BTW, your last post freaked me out because of the way it started, "Jeff (and Sean)". I forgot that S