jhelms

I know this is a Klipsch forum but I wanted to post some unsolicited info on SVS. I am just a customer, no relation in any way shape or form to the SVS team. Better yet, here's the long review that I wrote up (my non professional layman's version of things): I've had the SVS PB 12 Plus /2 for not quite a month yet, and have probably dedicated around 50 hours or so to listening and testing so far. In short, this thing is so killer, never before have I heard anything anywhere that puts out this level of sound in the 15-25hz range in the home. Room Info: my room is huge, unfortunately, 30x30, ceiling sloping to 14ft, with 3 LARGE openings that cannot be closed off (hallways, opening to kitchen, opening to foyer, etc.). I thought that was really going to limit the performance of any sub that I chose, so my expectations were somewhat limited. Bass Experience: over the past 15 years I've had literally dozens of car bass systems ranging from simple 10" / 300w setups to multiple 12's and 15's with all the power needed to make noses run and ears bleed (upgraded alternators, capacitors, amps, etc.). Multiple IASCA / USAC winner "back in the day". Overall Impressions: extremely impressive in every way. Granted, in a large open room we will always have a hard time matching the 40-50hz standard rap 'bump' output levels that we can get with a properly loaded car system, and so don't expect this box to rival well done car systems in those higher bass ranges. For instance, in several back to back tests this month, the 40-60hz range of this sub blows away my Yukon's JL 10W3, but doesn't quite match my Blazer's 15" vented sub box and 600w amp. Where it literally knocks your socks off though is in the lower registers, below 30hz it really starts to shine, and those inaudible sub 20hz tones are just magical... when you feel like you are in an airplane because your ears are 'popping' and your pants leg is vibrating, but you don't hear any distorted overtones; it's just awesome. Musical selections, Reference / Rap: any Telarc disc I put in shined, from Carmina Burana (was I actually inside the drum?) to Star Tracks (just over 1:00 in the Planet Krypton get very interesting, and track 2, Back to the Future has some recurring strong 30hz to 20hz notes that are just amazing) to the T-Rex from Jurrasic Park, all of those old favorites... it was like listening to them again for the first time. I broke down and threw in Techmaster P.E.B, track 12 of course, one of my 4" canned lights blew out in the ceiling, no joke. Next up, more digital bass from the mid 90's, things I had to dust off that I haven't heard in ten years; Nightmare on Bass Street, Toxic Bass, Quad Force, DJ Magic Mike, some of the songs making me laugh at how silly they were, but then making my eyes tear up from how strong the low bass notes were. At some point during one of the Bass Mechanik songs, a large (3' x 3') framed picture over the fireplace tilted to the left a FULL 4", I have since reinforced the mounting. Musical selections, Rock: time for some rock, Aerosmith, then Metallica's black album, during Enter Sandman apparently my wife returned from the grocery store with arms full of bags. Somehow, I had missed 4 phone calls from her, and had not heard her ringing the doorbell a dozen times. She was not a happy camper, oh well. Rock sounded incredible, all the low bass foundation that my system has been needing is now there. Also listened to some good old NIN, Fiona Apple (man there are some subsonic tones there!), Madonna (thought I was back in a club in the late 90's). TV and Movies: I haven't had as much time to watch movies as I would have liked, most of the listening I've done has been devoted to music. We did watch "Stealth" with Jessica something (Alba or Biel? I get them confused), Batman Begins, and a few more action flicks, etc. Again, this is where this sub really comes out of it's shell, any explosion, sound effect, LFE's just come out sounding the way the director intended. I've also noticed that there are a LOT of shows on cable that have a good amount of bass. Pretty much anything on MTV (Pimp my Ride,regular music videos of course, etc.), and also a lot of stuff on Speed channel and other car / bike related shows have a lot of added depth now as well. OVERALL.... wow, best money I've spent on my system in a long time, well, probably ever. I can't believe I waited this long, I will be adding an Audio Control Epicenter / Phase Coupled Activator to my home system (have used them in the car systems for years - they are amazing) and I can't wait to re-audition a few dozen of my favortie CD's with added bass information reproduced in the lowest bass octave. CUSTOMER SERVICE: I can't finish my review without noting the courtesy, promptness, and friendliness of the entire SVS staff. All of my emails were answered within a day (usually within the hour), my extensive questions were all completely answered, and service / tech support after the sale has been flawless and extremely resonsive. FOOTNOTE >> I have since added an Audio Control Epicenter and the sub has responded amazingly well to the added 20-40hz tones being created. After 3 months of pounding, I have no regrets about this sub at all. thanks, John jhelms johnhelms@firsthorizon.com