Subwoofer Tests - Fall 2007

**ISLAND1000** · **10-16-07, 11:49 PM**

Nothing else has the versatility of the PB-13 Ultra. That's a very clever idea, just closing off ports to obtain differing performance. And now the frequency response and spl is excellent.

**DLS** · **10-17-07, 12:53 AM**

I wonder, what's the situation with port noises in 10Hz mode? Since only 1/3 ot port area is effective....

**WillyD** · **10-17-07, 01:20 AM**

Quote:

Hopefully I will be able to test these again some day.

I do hope so!

**mojomike** · **10-17-07, 07:57 AM**

Quote:

DLS wrote:

I wonder, what's the situation with port noises in 10Hz mode? Since only 1/3 ot port area is effective....

The Ultra would seem to be a little underported when used in 10hz tune, but that is offset by the fact that in the frequencies where the ports are working the hardest (10hz), there is very little content.

To me, the sweet spot is the 15hz tune. The extension seems just about as good as in 10hz tune, and yet the sub gives up very little efficiency compared with the 20hz tune.

**tweakophyte** · **10-17-07, 07:58 AM**

Hi-

Just chiming in to echo the "great job!" comments.

This is all good stuff.

Am I missing something or have the details of each sub not been posted yet?

Thanks again!

**WillyD** · **10-17-07, 08:19 AM**

Quote:

Am I missing something or have the details of each sub not been posted yet?

They have not, but Ilkka will get around to it eventually. Maybe by Thanksgiving, eh?

**brucek** · **10-17-07, 11:46 AM**

Since Finland doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, are you saying he'll never post them......

**WillyD** · **10-17-07, 06:13 PM**

Quote:

brucek wrote:

Since Finland doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, are you saying he'll never post them......

That crossed my mind, but since his fans are overwhelmingly from the US, I thought the statement still worked.

**Ilkka** · **10-17-07, 07:06 PM**

Quote:

SteveCallas wrote:

You're a testing machine Ilkka

This performance coming from a commercial sub is pretty impressive. What are your thoughts on the close proximity of the three ports both to each other and to the surronding walls of the enclosure?

Of course it would be better to have more room around them (both outside and inside), but without actually testing that kind of version, it will be impossible to say what kind of effect it has.

Here are some pics of the internals (photos by "kweezer"). As you can see, ports tilt 90 deg. upwards.

**Ilkka** · **10-17-07, 07:07 PM**

Quote:

WillyD wrote:

They have not, but Ilkka will get around to it eventually. Maybe by Thanksgiving, eh?

I won't make any promises but we'll see.

**bwhitmore** · **10-18-07, 11:02 AM**

hey guys

my first post!...

i have been going back and forth on what sub(s) to buy for my HT

i had planned on getting a Fathom F113 until the great reviews for the (much cheaper) SVS PB13 started rolling in

for the same money as the F113, i can pick up two PB13's and really make my wife mad

now i run into this great thread and notice that the new SVS PB12 NSD is quite a performer too...??

is it me, or does its performance seem to be "pretty close" to the bigger subs

my biggest concern with the PB13 is it's HUGE size

anyway, trying to get the most bang for the buck...why not pick up a pair of NSD's for less money than one PB13?

thanks!

brad

JVC RS1 projector
Prismasonic lens with Lumagen scaler for 2:35 CIH "Scope" setup
SMX 120" 2:35 screen
Marantz 8001
Triad Inwall "Silver" speakers (7.1)
Toshiba XA2 HD dvd player

**ISLAND1000** · **10-18-07, 11:38 AM**

Wow! Is that number 18 wire inside that Ultra?

**ISLAND1000** · **10-18-07, 11:44 AM**

Quote:

bwhitmore wrote:

hey guys

my first post!...

i have been going back and forth on what sub(s) to buy for my HT

Hi Brad, glad you could make it.

There's miles of threads to read about which sub best fits your circumstances. Enjoy.
Don't leave out DIY (do it yourself) either.

**Ron Temple** · **10-18-07, 12:25 PM**

Quote:

bwhitmore wrote:

hey guys

my first post!...

i have been going back and forth on what sub(s) to buy for my HT

i had planned on getting a Fathom F113 until the great reviews for the (much cheaper) SVS PB13 started rolling in

for the same money as the F113, i can pick up two PB13's and really make my wife mad

now i run into this great thread and notice that the new SVS PB12 NSD is quite a performer too...??

is it me, or does its performance seem to be "pretty close" to the bigger subs

my biggest concern with the PB13 is it's HUGE size

anyway, trying to get the most bang for the buck...why not pick up a pair of NSD's for less money than one PB13?

thanks!

brad

JVC RS1 projector
Prismasonic lens with Lumagen scaler for 2:35 CIH "Scope" setup
SMX 120" 2:35 screen
Marantz 8001
Triad Inwall "Silver" speakers (7.1)
Toshiba XA2 HD dvd player

Hey Brad,

I'm new to this forum too, but specifically about the PB12NSD vs the U13...The 12NSD is a very capable sub, but the U13 is special. The SQ improvement is very significant. Size is a problem...just can't break the laws of physics.

Good luck...

**bwhitmore** · **10-18-07, 12:41 PM**

Quote:

Ron Temple wrote:

Hey Brad,

I'm new to this forum too, but specifically about the PB12NSD vs the U13...The 12NSD is a very capable sub, but the U13 is special. The SQ improvement is very significant. Size is a problem...just can't break the laws of physics.

Good luck...

thanks, after doing some more digging i noticed that the PB13 actually isn't that much bigger than the 12NSD

however, the PB13 is slightly "bigger" on the wallet...

**ssabripo** · **10-18-07, 03:12 PM**

Quote:

Ron Temple wrote:

..but the U13 is special.

special, eh?

It performed very well in both objective and subjective tests, but "special"?? in what sense? just curious

**mojomike** · **10-18-07, 03:25 PM**

Sherv, you may have answered your own question. "It performed very well in both objective and subjective tests." It is the best performing commercial sub ever tested by Ilkka or AV Talks. In Ilkkas's tests, only a handful of some really powerful DIY subs topped it.

Sounds special to me, no?

**Sonnie** · **10-18-07, 03:33 PM**

I'd say it's special...

Spoiler

**Ilkka** · **10-18-07, 03:41 PM**

Quote:

bwhitmore wrote:

hey guys

my first post!...

i have been going back and forth on what sub(s) to buy for my HT

i had planned on getting a Fathom F113 until the great reviews for the (much cheaper) SVS PB13 started rolling in

for the same money as the F113, i can pick up two PB13's and really make my wife mad

now i run into this great thread and notice that the new SVS PB12 NSD is quite a performer too...??

is it me, or does its performance seem to be "pretty close" to the bigger subs

my biggest concern with the PB13 is it's HUGE size

anyway, trying to get the most bang for the buck...why not pick up a pair of NSD's for less money than one PB13?

thanks!

brad

JVC RS1 projector
Prismasonic lens with Lumagen scaler for 2:35 CIH "Scope" setup
SMX 120" 2:35 screen
Marantz 8001
Triad Inwall "Silver" speakers (7.1)
Toshiba XA2 HD dvd player

Hi Brad,

The PB12-NSD is a great performer, especially in its price range, but it's still quite in a different league than the PB13-Ultra. I would easily choose single Ultra over dual NSD's.

The JL Audio Fathom f113 is also an incredible sub. Really small, but great performance. Duals of these can embarrass pretty much any single commercial sub in the world. Even a single one is enough for many.

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