Another SVS CS+ review (1 Viewer)

[KevinHunt]

I've spent the last 2 days with my dual 16-46CS+ and S1000 setup. I very recently had been a proud owner of dual 16-46CS subs and the S700 amp. Here is my complete system for a reference:
EAD Ovation-8 pre/pro
Arcam FMJ DV27 DVD/CD player
Bryston 4B-ST(mains amp)
3 Marantz MA6100 monos(center and surrounds)
Samson S1000 stereo sub amp
M&K S150 LCR
M&K Surround 550s
Dual 16-46CS+ subs.
Room size 13x27x8(2800^ft)+ adjacent rooms >4000^ft
So with a fairly similar setup as I had before, I wasn't expecting to be blown away like new SVS owners coming from a fairly common 8-12" powered sub, though I was when I got my first set of CS's(coming from M&K MX125s-no slouches). I did, however, expect to notice the increased output ability and power of the new trio, and this is exactly what
I got. After calibrating with VE, my settings remained the same as they were with the old combo. With the Samson volume at full throttle, my processors sub level is 10dB down from my mains(75dB) to get a 78dB sub calibration for DD. I also have 7dB down for DTS and 1dB down for stereo music. I'm able to reserve up to 6 presets in my pre/pro. I ran through the usual suspects(Matrix-DD, TS2-DD, U-571-DTS, Titan A.E.-DTS&DD, Roy Orbison-DTS, Telarc Great Fantasy Adventure-CD, and Phantom Menace-DD). I was able to take the subs easily past where I could take the regular 46CSs and still no clipping indicator and/or sub bottoming. The big surprise was on The Great Fantasy Adventure CD. The leaflet warns of the few tracks that contain strong signals down to 5Hz and to be cautious of your playback level. I went straight to T-Rex. This was the first and only time I could hear and feel the bass energy BEFORE you actually hear the footsteps. The regular 46CSs could not produce this audibly. This is also the first time that my walls actually resonated too and it felt like I had little bugs inside my ears. Scary yet thrilling. I'm glad I put my dog to bed because he didn't look too good during the pod race scene. The Roy Orbison DVD sounded extremely accurate with a lot of finesse. I'm not much of an audiophile and I don't have too critical an ear when it comes to music, but I can find no faults with these subs in regards to accurate music reproduction. Now when you use these subs for DVDs, they are brawny, brutal, and just flat in your face tough. The only other high end and well regarded subs I have listened to are the M&K MX125 and MX5000, and the Aerial SW12 with an all Aerial set up at local dealers. There is no question that the SVSs are every bit as good as these subs and better in a few instances simply because of their awesome extension(speaking of the 46s). The 46CS+s do extend a bit lower than the regular 46CSs AND clearly with more output. Tom, Ron and the gang, you've again impressed me. Your initial offerings are still some of the best subs out there, but thanks for striving to up the bass ante yet again. And it goes without saying that all of us SVS owners, and even just the inquiries thank you very much for the kind and courteous service.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

The big surprise was on The Great Fantasy Adventure CD. The leaflet warns of the few tracks that contain strong signals down to 5Hz and to be cautious of your playback level. I went straight to T-Rex. This was the first and only time I could hear and feel the bass energy BEFORE you actually hear the footsteps. The regular 46CSs could not produce this audibly.

I'm surprised by that statement because my regular CS 16-46 does reproduce the bass energy.

 

[KevinHunt]

Perhaps the response in my room from the older CSs would not allow it. Atleast I never could hear it before and I certainly tried after reding the leaflet. That's why I am curious now. I want to get a good test CD so I can map the response in my room up to 100Hz and see if I need an EQ. Peaks I don't mind. Hopefully I won't have too many valleys.

 

[SVS-Ron]

Kevin,

Thanks for the feedback!

Bhagi,

Good as the 16-46CS is (and you certainly know) there is no doubt that a set of Plus subs are going to be much stronger down low than our standard subs. Even calibrated the same, I'd not be suprised if he was many dBs over his older CS subs at say 15Hz and below.

That this would translate into significant improvements in tactile bass below that point, and generally better response at high levels is perfectly predicatable.

So now you're thinking what a 16-46CS-Plus would sound next to your current 16-46CS?

Louder, cleaner, deeper, flatter.

There's no subtitute for more amp power and more cubic inches, sort of like in the automotive world.

Maybe "blurry vision" part two?

;^)

Ron

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Ron, I am surprised you remember about the blurry vision.
Well, I have a 16-46CS by itself in my 7000 cu. ft. room and it plays at reference level without bottoming out even on the most demanding material(DTS Haunting, Jurassic lunch etc..)when driven by one channel of my Cinepro. I do have the bass set to 75dB rather than +2 to +5 dB. I have disconnected my Citation 7.4 sub and am thinking about selling it but will try the system with both on this weekend.

 

[Steve Stogel]

Hey, Kevin.

Glad to hear the Pluses are working for you. I know you offered to let me come by and hear the CSs you had when you were trying to sell them, but I wanted just one enclosure. As I think you know, I got a used 31CS to tide me over until I can upgrade to a PC+ hopefully.

Now, if that invitation is still good to come hear the new SVSs, I think that's something I'd like to do before I jump into the Plus models down the line. Perhaps an HTF Meet you should host, hmmmmmm? Anyway, glad to hear that you hear a difference (or feel, I should say). That's awesome.

Steve