just got svs 16-46pci ??????? (1 Viewer)

[KipG]

Just opened the box and plugged her in alittle bit ago. Wondering if I made a good investment here. Alittle dissappointed in the sub on the music end. Got the 16-46 b/c when the wife isn't around I like to try and blow the windows out and thought it would do a better job than my current sub. No doubt the sub has a nice tight bass and will be a plus over what I had for HT, but in my opinion lacks that window knockin bottom end my old MTX 15 has when the wife is outta the house.

 

[AlanZ]

So you want a musical sub that blows the windows out? What's wrong with this picture, bro? Seriously......if what you want is max SPLs, then the 16-46 probably isn't the best SVS for you......the 25-31 would have been the better choice in the PCi line.....but depending on your room size, you'd probably need to go up into something like the PB12-ISD/2 if you want to blow the windows out, as you say.

 

[Tim Hoover]

Flat, non-boomy bass is a rather different animal and it'll take some time to get used to. Just for completion's sake, have you calibrated the SVS w/ an SPL meter?

 

[AlanZ]

Tim, that's exactly the problem. He seemed to equate "musical" with "blowing the windows out".......I don't think he wants the bass to blend "musically" as you or I may desire. He wants to thump the house. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I like to do that myself......I'm just not sure "musical" is the term I'd use lol. But I can assure you (Kip) that if you want to blow out the windows, you've chosen the right manufacturer. I used to have the PB12-ISD/2 that I mentioned above.....it definitely shook the walls and pressurized the rooms of my 2400 s.f. home.

 

[ScottCHI]

exactly

 

[SVS-Ron]

Kip,

Give it some time. You are used to quite a different and quite probably less accurate bass sound.

The 16-46, as noted is not going to be the SPL monster on music that the 25-31PCi would be (of course we can work an exchange) but you might take some of your 45 days and see if your ears don't grow accustomed to flat bass, with a deep response (on CD's and DVD's that have bottom content that low).

Frequently we hear from guys/gals accustomed to massive 40Hz and up bass. At first their SVS sounds a bit weak, dry even. Once they start hearing their music for what it should have been all along, there's usually not going back.

Still, after a bit (and as long as you are not bottoming, don't hesitate to press your levels on the PCi up some) if that PCi isn't getting it for you, we can swap it for a 25-31PCi, PC+ or a PB12-ISD/2. The latter subs are more expensive but in all but the largest rooms they won't just rattle the windows, they'll give you the power to blow them right out of the frames.

With musical, accurate and nuanced clarity of course ;^)

Keep us posted. No SVS sale is complete until our customer is 100% happy.

PS, look thru your system settings too. There are a number of things that could be set wrong that could affect things. You might even send us a sketch of your room and an equipment listing to see if we spot any things worth trying.

Ron

 

[Jeff Gatie]

I will second Ron's statement. I used to have an inexpensive, "40-50Hz bloat" type sub. I was used to the one-note "boom boom boom" type of bass. It took me a while to get used to the clear, linear bass of my new sub. What I did not realize was that the "boom boom" was artificial and not representative of the actual music/soundtrack. If you are looking for car audio type window bursting 40-50Hz bass, get a BFD and boost the SVS at those frequencies. It won't be accurate, but I'm sure the SVS will handle it with aplomb.

 

[John Garcia]

Seems to be very common with new SVS owners. As Ron said, give it some time, you will come to find that what you were listening to was FLUFF, not bass.

By the way, have you calibrated your system?

 

[Matt_Smi]

I agree; I went though the same thing when I upgraded from my Sony SA-WM40 to my STF-2, it felt like something was missing and that the sub did not really offer much over the Sony. Until I adjusted to it and realized that with the Sony I was hearing a tubby “boom-boom” sound where as now I am hearing bass, clean bass…

 

[ScottCarr]

I thought the SVS line was not musical but then I listened to some big band with horns, strings and so on. Then came some smooth jazz music. The non-boomy bass afforded me, the the listener, the smooth sound of musical notes I was not accustomed to.

After listeing to a few systems and then mine it was evident that the reproduction the SvS provides is more realistic than I realized. Nothing exaggerated; just nice clean sound.

 

[AlanZ]

Scott, that's exactly my experience......when properly calibrated, the SVS (no matter which model) will blend in perfectly with the mains......at the same time, however, if you want to completely freak out everyone in the room with the "creaking pipes" chapter of 'The Haunting', the SVS will do a HELLUVA job with that, too I'll never forget the day I played that as a demo for my 89 year old grandmother......even though I told her what was going to happen, and what I was demonstrating (yes, my grandma is very sharp even at 89), when it happened she shot back in her chair and thought something crashed into the house lol.......it was classic

 

[Joey_V]

I went SVS and I never looked back. I have the 25-31PC+ and it is musical and digs deep for movies. Give the PCi some time, afjust it, calibrate it, and get acustomed to linear bass. You may also want to do an SPLxFreq check to see if you have any null points at the point of seating.

Good luck!

 

[Sam>C]

I am getting my very first ever sub tomorrow and I chose the 20-39PCI. I am very interested in any "tips" for setting it up that are not covered in the very excellent FAQ here or on the site. Jsut looking for little tips that people might have.

Thanks
SAm

 

[Jeff Gatie]

Follow Tom and Ron's directions for setup and calibration in the excellent, yet brief manual. If you wish, bump it up 2-3 dB from calibrated level. Immediately play some low trolling stuff (U-571 depth charges, SW-Ep II first scene) so you are not saying "where's my boom boom boom?" (it's there when it's needed, not when it is not. It is especially there in these two scenes). Work in front of the mirror to try and get the goofy grin off your face before going out in public.