Dual Servo 15's vs. dual SVS 20-39CS+ (1 Viewer)

[james e m]

I will be moving into a new house within a year, I hope, and when I do I want to upgrade to 2 new subs. I want them to go as low as possible and be able to play at reference level. These will be the last subs I buy for awhile so I want to be happy with them. Needless to say I don't know what the size or layout of the room will be. What would you guys do?

james

 

[Steve Zimmerman]

If you really want to go "as low as possible" then dual 16-46+ subs with a tuning plug would get you down to about 10 Hz
--Steve

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

Without knowing the size or the layout of the room...it's going to be tough to make reference capable suggestions.

TV

 

[Kimmo Jaskari]

Well, I have only the one Servo and am quite happy that way, thank you very much.
Two of these things, or indeed two SVS's, should bring a pretty huge smile to your face in most rooms. Unless you plan to live in an abandoned church or something.
But why not wait until after you know what kind of room you will be setting the system up in? With some size info, I'm sure Tom can give you some recommendations on which of the SVS to get. Last I checked they had some pretty nice package deals over at the site.

 

[EricHaas]

I have demoed the Servo-15 at a Paradigm dealer, and an SVS 20-39PC at a friend's house. They are both great subs and I honestly like them both equally well, although the listening conditions were not matched. Keep in mind though that a Servo-15 costs about $650 more than a single 20-39PC. And if you buy 2, you get an additional discount from SVS (you might also get a discount from a Paradigm dealer if you do the same). At equivalent price, I would get the Servo-15 because I like the way it looks at lot more. Since I cannot afford the Servo-15 and do not like the looks of SVS (personal taste), my next sub upgrade will probably be the new Hsu vtf-3.

 

[Howard_S]

I have not heard any SVS sub but I have the Servo 15. What I found is that with the Servo 15 you don't know that you have a subwoofer most of the time until your ground starts shaking. Now I have heard a lot about the SVS and I am led to believe that for sheer bass output for the money the SVS is probably better but musicality wise the Servo 15 is a ways better. The bass produced by the Servo 15 just seems to blend in. Hence you might now feel like it's producing much bass. I actually felt that my old sub, the Paradigm PS1200 produced more bass. But it's really just a perception since the bass was more boomy. Like I said if you want as loud as possible SVS is probably your sub but if you prefer the bass to blend in a bit more choose duel Servo 15s.

 

[Lewis Besze]

Now I have heard a lot about the SVS and I am led to believe that for sheer bass output for the money the SVS is probably better but musicality wise the Servo 15 is a ways better. T

Without actualy auditioning the SVS, how did you come to this conclusion?

 

[Jack Gilvey]

Like I said if you want as loud as possible SVS is probably your sub but if you prefer the bass to blend in a bit more choose duel Servo 15s.

If I couldn't have an infinite baffle sub, I'd much prefer a well-designed reflex sub over sealed subs which have to use servos to try and lower distortion.

 

[Steve Stogel]

Well, like Howard, I have only heard one of these subs. I bought a used 25-31CS and am powering it with an inexpensive sub amp I've had for years. While it's true that the SVS puts out a gob of bass during HT, I found it to be very, very subtle for music. It just strikes me as very accurate all around. If I play my speakers full range and turn the sub on/off, nothing changes except the depth of the bass. The tone stays the same, but when the sub goes, you feel those same tones as well as hear them. It is not overpowering, IMO, which would lead me to believe that SVS subs blend very well. I'm far from an A/V expert, but everything I've read from people who actually have heard SVS subs is that they indeed are very musical as well as hit like a jackhammer. Just another opinion.
Steve
P.S. I've also heard pretty much nothing but good things about the Servo 15, either, but have never actually heard one. I imagine it's a lot like the Velos (?), though, and a friend has had a ULD-15 for 7+ years, and I thought it was a great sub. What cracks me up is I get very similar performance, and the sub and amp I've got cost me less than $400 .

 

[Steve Zimmerman]

Now I have heard a lot about the SVS and I am led to believe that for sheer bass output for the money the SVS is probably better but musicality wise the Servo 15 is a ways better. The bass produced by the Servo 15 just seems to blend in.

I think the whole "musical sub" concept is largely a myth. Whether or not a subwoofer blends in or sounds good with music has almost entirely to do with two things:

(1) Under ideal conditions, is the subwoofer physically able to produce a flat frequency reponse throughout its range?

(2) Has the individual listener properly calibrated both the volume level and the location of the subwoofer in the room to actually produce the flattest frequency response, even at the frequencies near the crossover?

I'm of the strong opinion that Tom and Ron at SVS have done an excellent job with (1) but many--indeed MOST--people who buy subwoofers don't do a very good job at all with (2).

Admittedly, some people like the sub to be "hot" especially for HT usage and the SVS crowd enjoys talking about shaking stuff off walls and shelves. I'll bet dollars to donuts that's where you've gotten your impression about SVS.

However, having spent lots of time at the local Paradigm dealer and also at home with my SVS, I'm of the opinion that the SVS more than holds its own for music. Of course, I'm quick to point out that the Paradigm dealer had no clue whatsoever how to properly calibrate his sub.

--Steve

 

[Greg_R]

I'd add "with low levels of distortion" to #1...

 

[Howard_S]

I think the whole "musical sub" concept is largely a myth. Whether or not a subwoofer blends in or sounds good with music has almost entirely to do with two things:

I don't think the musical sub concept is a myth. I agree that placement and calibration are very important towards how the sub sounds. But by musical I don't mean just by blending in. I mean I can just turn down the volume and the sound will pretty much blend in. When we're talking about sub for music we're talking about speed and accuracy right? Even the Servo 15 has been criticized for being a little bit slow and I have heard that the SVS is even slower. Like you said, a lot of people like it hot. What I like about the Servo 15 is that you can place it anywhere in the room and have bass that isn't boomy. I desire accuracy in my sub and I just think that the Servo 15 is more accurate. Just my thinking of course. A lot of people in the SVS camp don't care much for accuracy though.

Not to get into an argument here I think both subs are great. I can only vouch for the Servo 15.

 

[Steve Stogel]

Howard?!

Why would you say "A lot of people in the SVS camp don't care much for accuracy though"? And while you say they're both great subs, you've also said you haven't heard an SVS. You must be going on opinions on sites such as this, and I just can't recall seeing many, if any, people saying, "It's a great sub for HT, but it's just not accurate enough for music." On the contrary, I think people rave about the HT applications because they typically hear/feel things they've never heard/felt before. If you read most reviews, though, if they speak of the musicality of the sub, they rave about that as well, generally.

I know it seems like I'm defending SVS (which I am) even though you say you're not attacking them (and you probably aren't), but there just seems to be some intimations in your posts that basically say, "Well, if you want lots of boom for HT and don't care about music, then by all means, get an SVS. Accuracy, though, is very important to me, so I would not consider one."

I know a lot of people who own SVS subs (I love that I'm one of them now) get very defensive about them, but that in itself says something, I believe. Maybe you could find someone in your area that has an SVS and you could compare the subs. Since it seems you have a very discerning ear, I'd very much like to hear your opinions on the subs after you've actually compared them. While you can only vouch for the Servo 15 and I can only vouch for the SVS, it just seems you've developed some opinions on the SVS (through reviews) that I just haven't gathered (and I've read lots and lots of reviews). Take it easy.

Steve

 

[Mifr44]

To be honest, it is hard to get an accurate read on the SVS subs. Nearly every new SVS owner talks about drywall nails/screws coming loose, the house moving off its' foundation, neighbors calling the police, pictures falling off walls, etc. In addition, recent "personal reviewers" have admitted to purposely running their SVS subs "hot". As a personal preference, I have no problem with the latter, but it does make it difficult to determine how an SVS sub would perform with music.

Just trying to diffuse an issue and decide on a subwoofer (or two).

Michael

 

[Howard_S]

Steve. I'm sorry if I have offended. But it's exactly what Michael said. I am just going by people's opinions here. Aren't we all? I value their opinion but at the same time I cannot vouch for it since I have never heard it.

I was just typing it so I'm not sure if I put any definite comments in which I don't plan to but I'm getting the feeling that you're taking what I wrote too far. Ie. You're putting words into my mouth. All my posts have been or intended to be for comparison sake between Servo 15 and SVS subs and NOT SVS subs by themselves. Therefore when I say that "I just THINK that the Servo 15 is more accurate" does not mean I'm saying the SVS sub is not accurate. I actually have said that even the Servo 15, a sub that I believe is more accurate for music, is considered a bit too slow when playing music.

Steve. I don't think I have made any comments that was detrimental to SVS's performance in itself. All I have said is that I "believe" that the Servo 15 is a more accurate sub while the SVS produces more bass for the money.

I think an important issue regarding the choice between the SVS sub and the Servo 15 is which sub you would pick if they were at the same price. For me being a Canadian, the Servo 15 doesn't give me the savings that Americans do. I did consider SVS before I bought my Servo 15. At a same price Servo 15 seems a safer choice since I don't have to deal with shipping if anything goes wrong and I can be sure it'll match up with my Paradigms.

I just read the Sensible Sound review posted on the SVS site and they actually has the Servo 15 rated with a higher output at 20hz. Oh well.

Sorry for the long post. I just don't want to be misunderstood that's all.

 

[Ariel]

back to james e m, i think that both subs are considered top notch and although i have never heard the svs, i think that it is a great sub based on the numerous reviews by end users and professional reviewers alike. since you are located in the US, i think that SVS is hard to beat (for the price of the servo there, you can have the svs ultra). but as mentioned earlier, the size of your room is important as might not need two subs and save some money for other things.

 

[Kimmo Jaskari]

I really don't think it's fair to generalize and say that the SVS aren't as musical unless you've actually listened to the subs and did comparisons.

It seems to be a fault many make however, you read about somehing, form a second hand opinion and then present it as truth.

I've read several times as well about the SVS and once people get the shaking of flatware out of the cupboards out of their systems, they say the sub is very well integrated for music as well.

In fact, I've read that many people are initially almost disappointed because the SVS's just don't do boomy, and they equate boomy with subwoofers due to having owned lesser subs.

As you can see, when it comes to SVS, I also have to resort to reporting second hand information. That said, I only picked up my Servo 15 because getting an SVS here in Finland was just too big a hassle with shipping costs etc.

I don't regret my decision for a second, I love my Servo, but I'm sure the SVS's are quite comparable. I think it essentially boils down to factors like price and looks. Either sub, especially if you go with dual subs, should be able to both rock the foundations of the house and play well with music.

What would I get today? Probably Servo 15, in the very nice veneer finish. I've come to realize I don't much like black speakers, and the only option that I would like visually from SVS is their very nice top of the line model, which would probably break my budget.

 

[Steve Stogel]

Hey, Howard.

It's no big deal. I wasn't personally offended. It just seems that my experience (and seemingly many others) is almost exactly how you described your experience with the Servo. Shakes the floors, but so subtle in music as to be unnoticeable (when compared to boom-boom subs) unless the music went real low. Just seemed that the strengths you noticed in the Servo are basically identical to the strengths of the SVS. I also tried to make it clear that I didn't think you were bashing SVS. I didn't think that in the least. And the fact you live in Canada makes it a whole different ballgame, too. It's hard to pass up the deals you can get on the Servo in Canada, without a doubt. I think the "SVS folks don't care about accuracy" thing just kind of took me by surprise. I didn't want to give the impression that I was upset, just that most reviews (and my experience) I have read about all the SVS subs is that they are extremely accurate subs. Thanks for you impressions on the Servo, though, as they seem dead on from what I've read (including the things TV has to say about them).

Steve

 

[Jerry T]

Hi All,
I live in Canada and I just received my dual SVS 16-46CS+ earlier today and will be playing with it tomorrow. FYI, I had sold my dual SVS 20-39cs so I can upgrade to the PLUS. I am definately in the SVS camp.
I enjoy watching movies at reference lvls unlike the rest of my family.
But I was really surprised how well they play music. I listen to music more 'cuz of the SVS.
Just my two cents.
Jerry

 

[Howard_S]

Does having two subs (duel Servo 15) make that much of a difference if you still have everything to be calibrated correctly?

If you have a choice between adding another sub and adding two rear centers which would you guys choose? Which one would add to the system more?