Subwoofer Comparison

[rf1938]

Very happy with my new Sigberg 10D, obviously no problem shipping in Europe. Yes, pricey, but it’s also very good. It’s also sealed and quite small.

 

[Bucking]

Is there any viable data available for Tonewinner subs?

 

[jannylund]

Nice spreadsheet, I would like to request:

1. Please add Genelec SE7261A SAM , it is quite similar to the 7260A SAM.
2. There are some mistakes on some Genelecs, namely, there is no analog XLR on the models: 7260A, 7261A, 7270A and 7271A (namely, all the 72xx series had only digital AES/EBU input). The information for SE7261A is in the previous link and for the others, in this datasheet.

EDIT: I noticed the SE7261A was indeed there, just the alphabetic ordering put it later. My bad. The other point stands.

 

[Mr. Reeee]

Very happy with my new Sigberg 10D, obviously no problem shipping in Europe. Yes, pricey, but it’s also very good. It’s also sealed and quite small.

$5000 for one of those!!! WOW
I hope you like it!

 

[Willem]

$5000 for one of those!!! WOW
I hope you like it!

True, but it is a high end dual opposed subwoofer, and those are never cheap. On top of that: the US dollar has declined a lot in value.

 

[rf1938]

$5000 for one of those!!! WOW
I hope you like it!

Yes, I like it - just ordered a second one.

 

[Mr. Reeee]

True, but it is a high end dual opposed subwoofer, and those are never cheap. On top of that: the US dollar has declined a lot in value.

Yep, all true.

I have dual KEF KC62 subs. Same thing, dual opposed drivers. and definitely not cheap.

 

[Tom C]

I have a pair of Tannoy Definition subs I got for cheap-$2,000/ea for dual opposed 12-in drivers. They have the most annoying whine when they power on and off, and an objectionable hum at steady-state. So cheap, but not something you want. Too bad, they would have been great otherwise. I guess if they’re going to be good, they won’t be cheap.

 

[ryaneagon]

Help me decide: SVS SB-3000 Revolution vs SB-5000 Revolution.

Room is roughly 15’ x 25’ with 9’ ceilings. Main listening position is about 12’ x 12’. Current system is Polk Reserve R700 fronts, Legend 400 center, R200 surrounds, and R900 height channels for Atmos.

Listening is mostly 2.0 and 5.1 music, with some movie use. Right now I’m running a single ~25-year-old Sunfire True Signature sub, and it’s clearly struggling at this point. Interestingly, I’ve even preferred the sound running the R700s full range off a 200W Monolith Class D amp—cleaner, more precise bass, and I still get usable extension into the low 30Hz range in my room.

I’m seriously considering moving to dual subs, likely placed near each front speaker. I’ve also experimented with running a sort of “stereo bass” approach using L/R preouts and treating the subs more like extensions of the mains. With the Sunfire, I tested a setup where it handled roughly 40Hz and below, dialed in with an SPL meter and by ear, and I was actually surprised how well that integration worked.

Processor is an Anthem AVM 90. I’ve tried ARC Genesis, but I’ve never been able to fully love the results for music. It tends to introduce some odd behavior in the 100–200Hz region on the mains, and since ARC only allows correction down to 200Hz, it feels a bit limited for how I want to tune this system.

My thinking is that either the SB-3000 or SB-5000 would be more than enough for this room, but I’m also thinking long-term “endgame” here—future-proofing in case I move into a larger space. SVS is also appealing for service/support and their constant R&D.


Would love thoughts from anyone who’s lived with either—or has run dual setups in a similar room. What would you pick in this case?

 

[90sNintendoKid]

Help me decide: SVS SB-3000 Revolution vs SB-5000 Revolution.

Room is roughly 15’ x 25’ with 9’ ceilings. Main listening position is about 12’ x 12’. Current system is Polk Reserve R700 fronts, Legend 400 center, R200 surrounds, and R900 height channels for Atmos.

Listening is mostly 2.0 and 5.1 music, with some movie use. Right now I’m running a single ~25-year-old Sunfire True Signature sub, and it’s clearly struggling at this point. Interestingly, I’ve even preferred the sound running the R700s full range off a 200W Monolith Class D amp—cleaner, more precise bass, and I still get usable extension into the low 30Hz range in my room.

I’m seriously considering moving to dual subs, likely placed near each front speaker. I’ve also experimented with running a sort of “stereo bass” approach using L/R preouts and treating the subs more like extensions of the mains. With the Sunfire, I tested a setup where it handled roughly 40Hz and below, dialed in with an SPL meter and by ear, and I was actually surprised how well that integration worked.

Processor is an Anthem AVM 90. I’ve tried ARC Genesis, but I’ve never been able to fully love the results for music. It tends to introduce some odd behavior in the 100–200Hz region on the mains, and since ARC only allows correction down to 200Hz, it feels a bit limited for how I want to tune this system.

My thinking is that either the SB-3000 or SB-5000 would be more than enough for this room, but I’m also thinking long-term “endgame” here—future-proofing in case I move into a larger space. SVS is also appealing for service/support and their constant R&D.


Would love thoughts from anyone who’s lived with either—or has run dual setups in a similar room. What would you pick in this case?

Have you thought about at least 2 subwoofers?

I’d prefer 2 smaller subwoofers than 1 big one.

I would say there is a balance between going multi subwoofers and not spending enough on each subwoofer.

The problem I’ve found is that it depends on the room. Two SVS 3000 Micros are fine in my little home cinema that could (2.1m by 3m) and they roll off around 23 hz.

 

[ryaneagon]

Have you thought about at least 2 subwoofers?

I’d prefer 2 smaller subwoofers than 1 big one.

I would say there is a balance between going multi subwoofers and not spending enough on each subwoofer.

The problem I’ve found is that it depends on the room. Two SVS 3000 Micros are fine in my little home cinema that could (2.1m by 3m) and they roll off around 23 hz.

Yes. Apologies if I forgot to mention. I will order 2 subwoofers—either 3000s or the 5000's.

 

[Chrispy]

Yes. Apologies if I forgot to mention. I will order 2 subwoofers—either 3000s or the 5000's.

Curious, box size is why you're considering just sealed?

 

[levimax]

Help me decide: SVS SB-3000 Revolution vs SB-5000 Revolution.

Room is roughly 15’ x 25’ with 9’ ceilings. Main listening position is about 12’ x 12’. Current system is Polk Reserve R700 fronts, Legend 400 center, R200 surrounds, and R900 height channels for Atmos.

Listening is mostly 2.0 and 5.1 music, with some movie use. Right now I’m running a single ~25-year-old Sunfire True Signature sub, and it’s clearly struggling at this point. Interestingly, I’ve even preferred the sound running the R700s full range off a 200W Monolith Class D amp—cleaner, more precise bass, and I still get usable extension into the low 30Hz range in my room.

I’m seriously considering moving to dual subs, likely placed near each front speaker. I’ve also experimented with running a sort of “stereo bass” approach using L/R preouts and treating the subs more like extensions of the mains. With the Sunfire, I tested a setup where it handled roughly 40Hz and below, dialed in with an SPL meter and by ear, and I was actually surprised how well that integration worked.

Processor is an Anthem AVM 90. I’ve tried ARC Genesis, but I’ve never been able to fully love the results for music. It tends to introduce some odd behavior in the 100–200Hz region on the mains, and since ARC only allows correction down to 200Hz, it feels a bit limited for how I want to tune this system.

My thinking is that either the SB-3000 or SB-5000 would be more than enough for this room, but I’m also thinking long-term “endgame” here—future-proofing in case I move into a larger space. SVS is also appealing for service/support and their constant R&D.


Would love thoughts from anyone who’s lived with either—or has run dual setups in a similar room. What would you pick in this case?

I have 2 SVS SB-3000 and they are good quality and the company seems solid. For me however I found the compromises of small box, large driver, heavily DSP'd subs to be sub optimal especially for integration. The issues are DSP latency, very high group delay, and high distortion / limited output at LF. Look up Hoffan's iron law to see why this concept is flawed. My recomendation is as large a box and driver as you can stand with the minimum amount of DSP (it is much easier and better to control the DSP with a seperate system wide DSP). YMMV, good luck and have fun.

 

[ryaneagon]

Curious, box size is why you're considering just sealed?

Space is the limiting factor for me. I’m less concerned with max SPL and ultra-low extension, and more interested in how well it integrates into a 2-channel setup.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

Space is the limiting factor for me. I’m less concerned with max SPL and ultra-low extension, and more interested in how well it integrates into a 2-channel setup.

From my experience, integrating subwoofers into any system depends more using EQ and dsp.

Have you thought about what type of dsp software or hardware you’ll use to integrate the subs with your speakers? I suggest things like a Minidsp, Denon or Marantz AVR with A1 Acoustix, Dirac etc.

 

[kyuu]

From my experience, integrating subwoofers into any system depends more using EQ and dsp.

Agreed. A good crossover, alignment, and EQing out room mode-induced peaks are the main issues to solve for good integration of a subwoofer. The port tuning on any decent subwoofer will be far enough outside the crossover region (unless you're crossing over very low) that it won't be relevant.

 

[Mr. Reeee]

Space is the limiting factor for me. I’m less concerned with max SPL and ultra-low extension, and more interested in how well it integrates into a 2-channel setup.

In that price range, why not take a look at the KEF KC92 subwoofers, too.
They’re smaller than the SB-3000 and rated to 11Hz

Whichever you go with, dual subs in a music system are fantastic!

 

[levimax]

Space is the limiting factor for me. I’m less concerned with max SPL and ultra-low extension, and more interested in how well it integrates into a 2-channel setup.

The thing that can make subs difficult to integrate is group delay curve differences between the mains and the subs. Even if the crossover is aligned properly it is possible you can have cancelation effects below the crossover exactly where you would expect the sub to be taking over. The conventional wisdom is that sealed mains and sealed subs are easy to integrate but the problem is with these small sealed subs that use DSP to make them "look good on paper", they actually have much worse group delay than a well designed ported sub. I learned this the hard way when I was trying to integrate some "near full range sealed speakers" with the SVS SB-3000 subs. Crossed properly at 80 Hz the group delay of the subs was so high that by 30 Hz the mains and the subs were "out of phase" and were cancelling right where I was hoping to get a boost. My full range speakers measured similar to the ones you have. That is when I took a deeper dive into subs, looking beyond advertised specifications to what really works and does not work and why. There is a great test on a bunch of popular subs on this site https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/i-measured-10-subwoofers.49042/ my advice would be to study these test results until you understand them and contrast the bigger Adrinal sub compared with the SVS subs to understand there are differences beyond advertised specs. You will also need to measure and understand your mains speakers LF roll off and group delay characteristics. This will hopefully lead you to a choice that works first try unlike my experience.

 

[ryaneagon]

From my experience, integrating subwoofers into any system depends more using EQ and dsp.

Have you thought about what type of dsp software or hardware you’ll use to integrate the subs with your speakers? I suggest things like a Minidsp, Denon or Marantz AVR with A1 Acoustix, Dirac etc.

Test tones. SVS APP. Ears.

I dislike what ARC does to my front channels.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

Test tones. SVS APP. Ears.

I dislike what ARC does to my front channels.

Might I suggest this video:

Also, eq software like Dirac and A1 Evo Acoustix and others, phase align speakers and subwoofers, I propose much better than just ears. Then there is the topic of target curves etc.

When I watched this video, I realised that sometimes I may have been overcomplicating things: