I'm thinking about buying a subwoofer. Which one is better: the SVS PB17U, SB17U, or XTZ 3x12?

[sysfc6]

I'm thinking about buying a subwoofer. Which one is better: the SVS PB17U, SB17U, or XTZ 3x12?
Could you help me compare these two models? Thanks. I want a subwoofer that reproduces sound authentically. I’ll be using it for both my home theater and Hi-Fi setup, so when watching movies, I want that heart-pounding, chest-thumping experience; when listening to music, I want the sound to be true to life and natural, without any coloration. Please help me choose one. Thanks,

 

[Redacted]

Define what "better" means for you.
I doubt many people have A-B blind tested all three of these at the same time in the same (normal) listening room, so I think you are going to be buying on specs.

Or just go with "I have one of type X, I've never heard the others, but type X is best simply because I bought one"

Personally, I Iike the idea of big drivers and big power amps, so possibly the SB17U, which seems relatively compact (and possibly not ported). But I'd want a pair of them!

 

[sysfc6]

Define what "better" means for you.
I doubt many people have A-B blind tested all three of these at the same time in the same (normal) listening room, so I think you are going to be buying on specs.

Or just go with "I have one of type X, I've never heard the others, but type X is best simply because I bought one"

Personally, I Iike the idea of big drivers and big power amps, so possibly the SB17U, which seems relatively compact (and possibly not ported). But I'd want a pair of them!

It would be great if the bass could be reproduced accurately.

 

[Redacted]

It would be great if the bass could be reproduced accurately.

Below a certain frequency it's just vibration so probably doesn't matter. Is the sound of an earthquake musical? No.
There won't be many albums in your collection that go below 30-40 Hz, unless you are into organ music from a very small number of big organs. The lowest note on grand piano is ~27Hz, and I bet you can't name a track you own where that comes into play.

I'm guessing someone has measurements for the distortion figures, but I suspect FR is is massively room-dependent.

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

I'm thinking about buying a subwoofer. Which one is better: the SVS PB17U, SB17U, or XTZ 3x12?
Could you help me compare these two models? Thanks. I want a subwoofer that reproduces sound authentically. I’ll be using it for both my home theater and Hi-Fi setup, so when watching movies, I want that heart-pounding, chest-thumping experience; when listening to music, I want the sound to be true to life and natural, without any coloration. Please help me choose one. Thanks,

View attachment 553130

Well if that is you in the picture? I'd suggest having a word with "Bender"!

 

[Redacted]

Well if that is you in the picture? I'd suggest having a word with "Bender"!

That robot can hear down to minus- 5 Hz.

 

[Golfx]

It would be great if the bass could be reproduced accurately.

Perlisten D215s: Is This the Most Accurate Subwoofer on the Planet?

Our review of the Perlisten D215s dual driver, push pull subwoofer proved it to be one of the most advanced and accurate on the planet per decibel of output as well as per cubic foot of space.

www.audioholics.com

This sub is reviewed as one of the most accurate. Has a higher price accordingly.

 

[smygolf]

XTZ 3x12 is a Good sub but looses out on that it does not have a peq
SVS is a winner in that regard

 

[Mark609]

I have SVS SB5000 Revolution and it's accurate, transient and renders "the lowest notes" with no problem.

 

[Redacted]

I think this is a "Look at me! I have several $thousand I want to spend"-kind-of-post, rather than a genuine discussion about useful facts and figures. Yawn.

 

[sysfc6]

我想这是“看着我！我有几千美元想要花掉”——类似的帖子，而不是关于有用的事实和数字的真诚讨论。打哈欠。

I'm really torn. I'm sincerely asking for help. Thanks, friends.

 

[NTK]

I'm thinking about buying a subwoofer. Which one is better: the SVS PB17U, SB17U, or XTZ 3x12?

You are better off with multiple subwoofers. Quoting Dr Toole:

Yes, there is a substantial efficiency gain when using multiple subs. Many people end up with more sound power than they actually need. I'll take four modest subs over the single most grandiose sub any day. ...

For the price of the options you mentioned, and may be add just a little more, you should be able get 4 smaller decent ones. Get a miniDSP and optimize them with MSO and you'll have world class bass.

 

[sysfc6]

I have SVS SB5000 Revolution and it's accurate, transient and renders "the lowest notes" with no problem.

Um, have you compared the SB17U and the PB17U?

 

[sysfc6]

Perlisten D215s: Is This the Most Accurate Subwoofer on the Planet?

Our review of the Perlisten D215s dual driver, push pull subwoofer proved it to be one of the most advanced and accurate on the planet per decibel of output as well as per cubic foot of space.

www.audioholics.com

This sub is reviewed as one of the most accurate. Has a higher price accordingly.

How does the r12s compare to the svs?

 

[Golfx]

How does the r12s compare to the svs?

No one has lower distortion than the perlistens. SVS is an awesome company with great customer service.

Most subs all kind of sound the same until you increase the volume and then the cheaper subs, with cheaper parts, start misbehaving and distorting before the more expensive subs with more expensive parts.

They both get great third party reviews which back up their recommendations with ground plane CEA 2010 measurements. You can ask the main reviewer that same question. James Larson (@ShadyJ) over at audioholics website.