Sub Question (1 Viewer)

[JasonMC]

I just received my SVS 20-39 PC Plus and started testing it today.

It's hooked up to a Pioneer Elite 54tx receiver with Klipsch Reference speakers all around.

I calibrated the sub to 80db at 0 on the receiver, the same as all of the speakers. I was watching Star Wars at
-10 on the receiver and some bass hit that almost sounded like my sub was bottoming out. The driver was moving a lot during that scene.

Question: Are these drivers designed to move a lot and do I need to worry about permanent damage?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[lyradWong]

The PC Plus Driver can move at least one inch if I am not wrong. Did you write to SVS tech support for your question?

 

[JohnSmith]

I would let the sub settle in for about 30 hours before doing some bass heavy "demos"

Also have you used any port plugs? Sub sonic filter set to...?

 

[JasonMC]

Thanks for the reply. I do not have any ports plugged and my filter is set to 20. I've backed off of it and am not going to push it real hard yet.

 

[JasonMC]

I moved my sub to the absolute corner and it sounds better.

Using Avia, I calibrated all of my speakers to 75db. My sub goes anywhere from 70-80db. I played some scenes from the haunting at reference levels and the bass hit HARD. I noticed the driver was moving a lot too. It didn't sound like it was being driven too hard. But then I don't know how to tell it's being pushed too hard.

How do I tell if the sub is being pushed too hard?

 

[JohnEF]

JasonMC

I am pretty close to ordering the SVS 20-39PC plus but I am getting somewhat nervous at the problems you are having if they really are problems.

Overall, are you happy with what you hear? What do you mean by bottoming out?

I plan to place this sub in the front left corner (where my present sub sits) to get oprimal sound and volume.

Thanks in advance for any additional observations you might offer on this sub.

John

 

[steve nn]

Jason could you give us a idea what size room your in and if any openings? After calibrating what is the gain set to on your sub and receiver?

It does sound like headway is being achieved after corner loading your sub which will utilize boundaries? The HAUNTING at -0 is allot to ask of a sub. Most subs would simply die or run away from home if asked to perform such a task

 

[KeithY]

The bass in this movie does hit pretty hard, but did it have the clack sound to it??

What's the setting of sub or LFE out of your receiver?

Contact SVS?

 

[KeithY]

not the pb2ultra

 

[steve nn]

not the pb2ultra
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Your killing me Keith

 

[JasonMC]

My room is approximately 2600 cu.ft. It opens to my kitchen which is open to my living room. The gain on my sub is about 1/4 and the LFE output on my receiver (Pioneer Elite 54tx) is -3.

I don't hear any clacking in the sub. I played the scene again and the driver was moving a lot. It sounded good but I had that feeling that it was being driven too hard.

I want to be able to set it up and not worry about the sub. How much better would the PC-Ultra be?

 

[steve nn]

I want to be able to set it up and not worry about the sub. How much better would the PC-Ultra be?
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The PC-Ultra should give you 1 1/2 to 2 more db in headroom if I remember correctly from Ed's posts?

I can tell you the PC-Ultra did a very good job in my leaky 2880^ 12 X 24 X 10' HT. My gain was very close to what you have yours set on the receiver and Ultra with me using a Y. Take the Y away and recalibrate> the gain would have been higher and no problems at reference what so ever. -0 is very high for most though. Considering your listening level preference and open HT, the PC-Ultra might/would imo be the better rout to go if budget permits?

 

[JasonMC]

I have the "Y" hooked up right now. Should I remove it and just run a single cable to the sub? I'm eyeing the PC-Ultra right now. It seems like the only difference is the driver of the Ultra. It makes that big of a difference huh?

 

[steve nn]

I have the "Y" hooked up right now.
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Yes I figured so after you gave the size of your room. As long as you calibrate it doesn't matter. It can help the auto function at real low listening levels. You shouldn't have any such issue though.

2 dbs in headroom is close to going from dual to three subs colocated. The curve of the TV-12 driver holds straight across and has the ability to sound very good even though it is at it's performance peak. What this equates out to is it seems as though there is always gas left in the tank. It also has a slightly different sound to it that is hard to describe. Harder hitting (because of curve) but a little smoother at the same time.

 

[JasonMC]

Steve,

The TV-12 driver is in the PC-Ultra right? Are you saying that the PC-Ultra, with it's single driver, is equivalent to a dual driver sub like the PB2-Ultra? I really like the tube look.

 

[Dan Halchak]

Okay let me answer a few of your questions...

With your sub set at 1/4 and receiver at -3 (which is very close to what I have it set at)...you will not bottom the sub out, even at reference that's still hard to do at that setting.

If it is bottoming out, take two pieces of metal and smack them together, that's what you'll hear, otherwise you aren't bottoming it out.

Leave the Y adapter in, you'll get roughly 3dbs more from it (so many say), but the real bonus is at lower levels it will kick the sub on quicker (or at lower levels) than with a single cable.

The only difference you will notice with the Ultra over the Plus is a little bit of it sounding somewhat different...it's a very tough thing to describe. You will have about 3 - 6 dbs of clean output over the plus....

To me, you would be better with two PC+s over one PCU.

Two PC-Us will almost equal a PB12-U. The real advantage is that the PC-Us native setting is 20Hz over the PB12-U's 25Hz...that and the asthetics.

I somewhat wish I had gotten the PC-U over the PC+, but it wasn't available at the time. I am completely satisfied with the PC+, it's a great sub and hopefully some day I can upgrade it to the PB2-U!!

Upgradeitis is tough.

 

[steve nn]

Maybe I should have said that a little clearer Jason. What I meant to convey was the TV-12 driver contained in the PC-Ultra should have close to a 2 db advantage over the dB-12 driver contained in the 20-39PC+. Both in their respective 20Hz stock tune.

The PB2-Ultra is a totaly different animal. Different stock tune, Box style (internal volume) and of course dual drivers. The PC-Ultra does have the same TV-12 driver as the PB2-Ultra though.

Tom V just posted a great Thread in regards that is a very worth-while read. See what you think?

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=212275

EDIT> >>Leave the Y adapter in, you'll get roughly 3dbs more from it (so many say),

 

[JasonMC]

Dan,

Thanks for the info. I definitely don't hear a sound that sounds like the metal banging together. I'm starting to eye the PC-Ultra but I'm still trying to figure all of the technical jargon out.

Steve,
Thanks for the info. I mistyped in my earlier post. I meant to say the same as a PB2-Plus, not the Ultra. I read Tom V's post but I'm having a hard time relating the technical stuff with real world performance.

 

[steve nn]

I read Tom V's post but I'm having a hard time relating the technical stuff with real world performance.
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I can sure understand that Jason If I can glean 25% of what he knows I would be happy. It will never happen.

 

[JasonMC]

I've been trying to find some more info from owners of the PC-Ultra to determine it it's something I want to spend an additional $350 on.

I've only had the PC+ for about a week. I'll probably mess around with it some more before making my decision.