SVS SB2000 / Dual 12"

[Nismo]

So, I've had my PSA Dual Driver XS30se 15" for about 2 weeks now & after multiple placements, calibrations etc., as strange as it is... I can't seem to make it work in my 13 x 16 x 8 space. An early alternative option that I had was the 12" SB-2000 from SVS. I decided to bring it home, so I can try it out in my space & since the footprint is considerably smaller than the PSA....this time I'll be back to dual subs.

 

Despite being 12", the SB-2000 is considerably smaller than my previous 12" Velodyne. I'm certain they will not dig as deep & match the extension of the PSA XS30se... but dual SB-2000's will even out & be smoother in my space. I'll try them out & see how they work this week. I did grab the SoundPath Isolation pads; (4) screw-in feet, & installed them... they should provide benefit & give the SB-2000 some added height.

 

Nice simulated Black Ash finish, that matches my RF-7's. The grille is kinda funky, but executed very well. Here's some pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nismo]

Here's the SB-2000 compared to the 18" x 23.5" x 22.5" XS30se from PSA.

 

The SB-2000 from SVS looks "bite-size" by comparison. 

 

 

 

 

[Schu]

why not the ported PB 12"?

[K5SS]

I was planning on ordering 2 gloss black SB-2000's a couple of weeks ago but when I proposed the same question over on AVS, the majority said to go with one more powerful sealed sub for HT. Although, I will tell you that my favorite sub setup so far (about 13 different rooms and sub combos in the last 6 years) was dual Martin Logan 12" Abyss subs and I am sure the SB-2000's will even sound better.

 

Congratulations on the new gear! 

[Scrappydue]

Those isolation feet are a big fat gimmick

[Nismo]

why not the ported PB 12"?

My space is only about 1600 cubic feet, not moving a lot of air.... so stayed with sealed vs. ported options. My previous dual sub set was was also sealed & worked great. If the SB's don't meet with expectations I can always try the PB's. Also considering the front firing, 15" (single driver) S1500 from PSA (with ICE amp), it's basically the single driver version of my PSA XS30se. The single diver S1500 has a much smaller footprint... so, I can actually place dual S1500's (I couldn't fit 2 massive  XS30se's in my space).

[Nismo]

Those isolation feet are a big fat gimmick

I have carpet with wood floor substrate (not concrete). Previously my Velo would rattle doors & glass cabinets in the adjacent room. Since I was ordering from SVS... thought I try the Isolation feet out & see if they make any difference. ? Who knows, the SB-2000 might even be a lateral move from my Velo. We shall see. The single driver 15" S1500 from PSA has my attention, if the SVS does not meet expectations. 

[derrickdj1]

You should get some nice room gain and better room coverage.  Give us a review once things are setup.  Have fun and congrats on the new sub.

[Nismo]

Here's a question for the sub experts: I was really excited to bring home the PSA XS30se but damn if I couldn't find a location or an orientation that provided a positive experience. 

 

Not sure if the Dual Driver is causing peak/null issues with placement & position. My original set up had 2 subs on either side of the room & it was smooth & even (despite not having matching subs). The PSA (positioned) on the left side of the room will effect my left ear (pressure my left ear) yet I cannot perceive any audible "base" when calibrated @ 75db (gain at 12 o'clock). I actually have to turn the gain to 3 o'clock to have any audible / noticable "base" in the MLP. At 3 o'clock it becomes even more uncomfortable (pressure left ear). Could it be that a dual driver (800w) sub has too much output & the long throw omni-directional LFE does not have enough distance in my space.

 

The XS30se is almost 2 feet long (oriented front to back) so that makes the MLP only about 8-1/2 feet away? Maybe I sit too close for that sub?

[willland]

Those isolation feet are a big fat gimmick

 

 

How so?

 

I was considering them for my SVS SB13 Plus to raise it off the floor some and to help minimize some of the rattling and buzzing from some of the affected objects in my room.

 

Bill

Edited May 20, 2016 by willland

[Nismo]

I was planning on ordering 2 gloss black SB-2000's a couple of weeks ago but when I proposed the same question over on AVS, the majority said to go with one more powerful sealed sub for HT. Although, I will tell you that my favorite sub setup so far (about 13 different rooms and sub combos in the last 6 years) was dual Martin Logan 12" Abyss subs and I am sure the SB-2000's will even sound better.

 

Congratulations on the new gear! 

Many variables to consider, but I guess one consideration of selecting ported vs sealed, is based on your room size. Larger rooms almost require ported options (or multiple ported subs). My space is small enough for sealed to be effective...  2 sealed subs extremely effective. Hope you find a setup that matches up with your space & needs. Good luck !

 

I just wanted to upgrade my older 12" dual set up. Hopefully one that will dig a bit deeper than before, with improved extension (output has never been an issue in my small to average space).

[Nismo]

How so?

 

I was considering them for my SVS SB13 Plus to raise it off the floor some and to help minimize some of the rattling and buzzing form some of the affected objects in my room.

 

Bill

 

Same here. Trying to eliminate or minimize glass door cabinets & doors from distracting rattles (from connecting / adjacent rooms). I'll see if these are effective or not. 

[derrickdj1]

Without seeing a FR grap, a couple of comments on the PSA sub.  Not surprising you got better results using two subs.  The best location for any sub in the room is determine by the subcrawl.  Sub location could have been the problem but, MLP could have also been the problem.  Sitting in a null.  If it is not possible to move seating, them multiple sub works best.  Multiple sub help even out peaks but, the biggest effect is on raising dips(nulls).

 

One other point an increas, to double the spl that we precieved is not 10 db but, more like 5-6 db in the low bass and ULF.

Edited September 17, 2015 by derrickdj1

[Scrappydue]

The XS30se is almost 2 feet long (oriented front to back) so that makes the MLP only about 8-1/2 feet away? Maybe I sit too close for that sub?

no way people rock near field 18's 5 inches behind their couches. id say if you had duals before and switched to one massive and it doesn't work then that was the wrong move. you are doing the right thing by going back to duals. 

 

 

 

How so?

little rubber feet? for that much money? come on bill! you can buy rubber feet on amazon for like 3 bucks a piece.

 

I was considering them for my SVS SB13 Plus to raise it off the floor some

for what? to look cool?

 

and to help minimize some of the rattling and buzzing form some of the affected objects in my room.

fix the problem pieces. dont get me wrong i have subs up and downstairs. my subs downstairs shake things that cannot be fixed. oh well. stuff happens. but upstairs i fixed anything that rattled and now hear nothing. and as far as taking the sub off the floor to keep things from rattling? come on! it just sounds gimmicky. why would you wanna lose the visceral feel  you get from the floor shaking? i mean that is the best part of a suspended floor and you want to take it away? i just dont get it. id buy some rubber mats for your things that shake bill.  

Edited September 17, 2015 by Scrappydue

[Scrappydue]

My space is small enough for sealed to be effective...  2 sealed subs extremely effective. Hope you find a setup that matches up with your space & needs. Good luck !

yeah sealed is the way to go if your room can make them work.

 

I just wanted to upgrade my older 12" dual set up.

i think these will impress you. if not, then a sealed 15 or 18  pair may be in your future. they will get you the depth you are seeking.

 

Same here. Trying to eliminate or minimize glass door cabinets & doors from distracting rattles (from connecting / adjacent rooms). I'll see if these are effective or not. 

like i said to bill, try and fix the rattles without worrying about the sub first. you will lose that visceral feel on a suspended floor  if you put the sub up in the air on rubber feet. same as the subdude idea.

[Nismo]

 

The XS30se is almost 2 feet long (oriented front to back) so that makes the MLP only about 8-1/2 feet away? Maybe I sit too close for that sub?

no way people rock near field 18's 5 inches behind their couches. id say if you had duals before and switched to one massive and it doesn't work then that was the wrong move. you are doing the right thing by going back to duals. 

 

I wish the option of behind the MLP existed to experiment with placement... but no can do. Moving everything forward (to accommodate that) would put me only 5 feet in front of my TV & FR-7's. (lol) I would imagine having a sub behind my MLP... would be more dispersed than having it up front firing towards the MLP. 

 

I really can't figure why the 15" PSA has the issues posted. There was a time (a long time actually) when I only had 1 sub in place (my Velodyne) & it performed excellent, not only in my current space (7 years)... but also when living in other residences & rooms. By all accounts the PSA should crush it, I wonder if it became defective during (potential rough) shipping? Strange that I cannot get audible bass output until gain is at 3:00, however at that level, when the bass is finally audible... it results in uncomfortable ear pressure. Dial it back down to 12:00 and the pressure is more natural, but the actual "bass" is almost non-existent. I've only owned about 6-or-7 subs over the years & they've all been effective, but this is my 1st dual driver. Every space has different demands, but are dual drivers that tricky to place?

 

I connected both SVS SB-2000's and they performed, so my RCA's are not defective (considered that a possibility with the PSA). I'll have to dial them in & see if they are a substantial upgrade from previous dual, or more of a slight lateral move.

[Scrappydue]

I think dual is really same as any other sub woofer. So maybe it was damaged? Would need to see a frequency graph to know what your talking about with no bass then too much. Maybe you are in a null. Maybe try just a single Svs in that same spot and see if it does it. If so call Tom and explain your trouble. Maybe he will have some tips or get you duals instead. I'm sure he would love you to have his subs over Svs.

[Nismo]

 

I just wanted to upgrade my older 12" dual set up.

i think these will impress you. if not, then a sealed 15 or 18  pair may be in your future. they will get you the depth you are seeking.

 

 

After 2 weeks+ pretty sure the PSA XS30se will unfortunately be going back. Instead of the 15" dual-driver (single sub) route, I might try the standard 15" single driver PSA S1500. I can place duals of the S1500 & that should give the extension I'm looking for.

[Nismo]

I think dual is really same as any other sub woofer. So maybe it was damaged? Would need to see a frequency graph to know what your talking about with no bass then too much. Maybe you are in a null. Maybe try just a single Svs in that same spot and see if it does it. If so call Tom and explain your trouble. Maybe he will have some tips or get you duals instead. I'm sure he would love you to have his subs over Svs.

Good to know the dual driver should not be all that different than placing a standard single driver with placement etc. Right now the placement of the PSA is in the exact same place my Velodyne sat & performed (when it was solo). I'm working up a room layout (floor plan schematic) & I'll send it to Tom & see if he has any tips concerns.

[willland]

little rubber feet? for that much money? come on bill! you can buy rubber feet on amazon for like 3 bucks a piece.

 

I am sure you can and have considered other alternatives.

 

for what? to look cool?

 

They do look nice.  

 

fix the problem pieces.

 

I have tried.  Plasma TV just vibrates as well as my ceiling fan.  Sitting on the SVS does minimize these "annoyances".

 

and as far as taking the sub off the floor to keep things from rattling? come on! it just sounds gimmicky.

 

I have read many testimonials about successes.

 

why would you wanna lose the visceral feel  you get from the floor shaking? i mean that is the best part of a suspended floor and you want to take it away?

 

No suspended floor, concrete slab/stem wall.

 

i just dont get it.

 

Not a requirement here.  With a 45 day no questions return policy, why not give it a try.  I can't lose.

 

Bill