Should I get SVS?! (1 Viewer)

[Albert Li]

Hi everyone,
I want to buy a new subwoofer, and I have read many many good posts about SVS in this forum. The 25-31PC sounds really good to me. However, I am living in Hong Kong. The SVS asked $300 to ship the 25-31PC to Hong Kong, so the total cost will be around $1000 bucks. I could find M&K, Sun Fire, Velodyne and B&W in local stores very easily. However, will the 25-31PC (or 20-39PC) beat those subwoofers even in the $1000 price range?! I know that the SVS beats the velo CT-150, but how about any velo that costs around $1000? Should I go for the SVS?
My gear:
Onkyo 939 + 246 Millennium DTS decoder
FS: B&W CDM-7NT
CS: B&W CDM-CNT
Sub: Bose cannon (passive) + Denon amp
Surr: Mirage FRx
Thanks!
Albert

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

What are the local prices for the Vels?
If you're getting one for around US retail...than something like the SPL1200 for $1300ish would make a great woof.
TV

 

[Albert Li]

Hi Tom,
The retail price of the velo's subs in Hong Kong should be pretty close to the one you could find in the US, or it may be a little bit cheaper because there is no sale tax here. Thanks!
Albert

 

[Michael Roderiques]

Albert I do not have exact prices for Velodyne products in Hong Kong, how ever I would think the CT-150 should be less than USD$1000. The US list price is only $799.00, with most dealers discounting that price. You may soon see a Velodyne model in your dealers showrooms called a CHT-15. this is the same unit with some minor cosmetic changes to it.
You may also see the SPL Series. The SPL-1200 has a list price of USD$1399.00. The SPL series has received some high marks in a recent subwoofer comparison.

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

Ok,
well that makes it look like a ct150 would be about 60% of the 25-31PC? And a SPL1200 would be what...maybe $150-$200 more?
How large is the room? The ct150 would probably make a great choice...and as it's been noted by MR...Vel is updating the model line a little so your local dealer may be ready to discount the *old* ct150 a bit?(I know they're available in the states around $500 now!)
TV

 

[Albert Li]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies. I just visited the velodyne web site. It seems to me that both the CHT and the SPL series are in my $1000 budget. However, will the 25-31PC or 20-39PC still sound better than the SPL-1200?! Actually, I could only find CT series in HK two weeks ago, but I was told that a new model is coming up in few weeks. May be they have it now. By the way, the size of my listening area is about 11' x 20'. I just wanted to find the best sub with $1000 bucks. Please Help!
Albert

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

a 20-39pc and a VEL SPL1200 should be very close in clean output capability. When Nousaine measured the Vel and the cs version of the 20-39(w/300w) he found...
20hz---SPL12/90dB,,20-39/91dB
25hz---SPL12/99dB,,20-39/105.8dB
25-63hz(avg)----SPL12/107.1dB,,20-39cs/109.5dB.
Going from the version TN tested to the PC version with the built in amp should drop output a dB or two..esp. down low. So it will be a good race.
If you can get a SPL1200 for $1000,and it would cost almost $1100 for the 20-39pc($300 shipping)...I'd just go with the local Vel dealer. The performance is going to be very close and you have the peace of mind in not worrying about a shipping process covering thousands of miles.
I'd also check with the VEL dealer on the possibility of picking up a FSR15 if he has any left in stock.
TV

 

[Albert Li]

Hi Tom,
Thank you very much! I will try to check out the SPL1200 in my local dealer this weekend, and see how much it costs. Thanks again!
Albert