Top-10 Sub comparison (SVS vs Monolith)

[AnonymousAudio]

I put together a list comparing SVS & Monolith subwoofers and figured i'd share it for discussion purposes.

Im also waiting for SPL Measurements to be tested on the new SVS SB17/PB17. As i'm in the market for a new Sub and am looking at those models closely once we see results. If anyone has measurements for those we can add them to the list.
Enjoy & discuss...

Measurements done by Audioholics using CEA2010 standards. Frequencies shown: (16/20/25/31.5/40/50/63/80Hz)

 

[AnonymousAudio]

I had a chat with SVS earlier and this is what they said about SPL Measurements. Was hoping for some in house results.

 

[aCuria]

(Volume-WxLxH=23,350)

What does this mean? The volume of the room it can energize?

 

[Count Arthur]

(Volume-WxLxH=23,350)

What does this mean? The volume of the room it can energize?

I imagine that's 23,350 cubic centimetres, or 23.35 litres.

So, the volume of the subwoofer enclosure.

 

[Chrispy]

Whose measurements are they and under what conditions?

 

[MoreWatts]

You should add the weights to the chart. Some folks might decide by which one they can move. These are all big subs, but I'll bet the weights vary quite a bit. I had a Monolith 10-inch sub that was >80 pounds!

 

[AnonymousAudio]

(Volume-WxLxH=23,350)

What does this mean? The volume of the room it can energize?

I simply multiplied the dimensions in inches (Width x Length x Height) to try and understand the Volume size of the Box.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

Whose measurements are they and under what conditions?

The Monolith & SVS measurements were done by Audioholics following CEA2010 standards.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

You should add the weights to the chart. Some folks might decide by which one they can move. These are all big subs, but I'll bet the weights vary quite a bit. I had a Monolith 10-inch sub that was >80 pounds!

Theirs a lot i could add...but this is comparing SPL more than anything else. I also put the volume size of the box. You can always lookup the model #s if you want more info.

 

[TheZebraKilledDarwin]

For the price of one Monolith 15 you get/got 2 (two!) SVS PB 2000. And one delivers by far enough power down to 20 Hz @75dB reference level in normally to medium sized rooms.
SVS made the 20 Hz barrier affordable with great sound and product quality, and now it seems this whole subwoofer business is becoming as absurd as the smartphone upgrade business.
It seems to me, that the revolutionary price/value product, the PB-2000, was even intentionally removed from the market, to allow customers being herded again into the +$1000 price range.

 

[Chrispy]

The Monolith & SVS measurements were done by Audioholics following CEA2010 standards.

Why concentrate on comparing these particular specs? You are only going to use one sub?

 

[geox]

For the price of one Monolith 15 you get/got 2 (two!) SVS PB 2000. And one delivers by far enough power down to 20 Hz @75dB reference level in normally to medium sized rooms.
SVS made the 20 Hz barrier affordable with great sound and product quality, and now it seems this whole subwoofer business is becoming as absurd as the smartphone upgrade business.
It seems to me, that the revolutionary price/value product, the PB-2000, was even intentionally removed from the market, to allow customers being herded again into the +$1000 price range.

SB 3000 exists

 

[TheZebraKilledDarwin]

For 700,-?

 

[Count Arthur]

I simply multiplied the dimensions in inches (Width x Length x Height) to try and understand the Volume size of the Box.

So, not cubic centimetres, but cubic inches.

23,350 cubic inches, is a pretty big subwoofer.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

Here's a Chart which I made directly from Audioholics Anechoic style measurements. Note these are not the in-room measurements which gain you (+3dB) typically.

The PB12 Plus/2 is my current Sub i bought from SVS back in 2005.

 

[frankrcarter]

I have a pair of the PB12 Plus/2's they are great subs! I'm also looking to replace them for aesthetic reasons only. Performance wise they are fantastic.

Have you seen the work done here?

Subwoofer Comparison

I've created a *slightly large* subwoofer comparison spreadsheet. :D Info: -==Link to my Subwoofer Comparison spreadsheet ==- https://bit.ly/SubwooferComparison

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[AnonymousAudio]

I have a pair of the PB12 Plus/2's they are great subs! I'm also looking to replace them for aesthetic reasons only. Performance wise they are fantastic.

Have you seen the work done here?

Subwoofer Comparison

I've created a *slightly large* subwoofer comparison spreadsheet. :D Info: -==Link to my Subwoofer Comparison spreadsheet ==- https://bit.ly/SubwooferComparison

www.audiosciencereview.com

Yes im aware of that Spreadsheet by Sweetchaos. I originally used it until I found several flaws.

#1 The measurements were altered +3dB in nearly every case, I assume he was adding room gain to Anechoic measurements. Problem is gain depends on placement and room.

#2 Many measurements were simply incorrect. Take for example ALL of the Monoprice Monolith readings. This was because Audioholics had a mis-calibrated microphone and had to update all their measurements.

I messaged Sweetchaos to try and get him to fix his spreadsheet but never got a reply back. So i'd take his chart as a guide just to get you started. From there i'd check his sources. It's called Trust but Verify. And dont forget he pumps up all his readings by +3dB.

My chart however is Directly from the Source: Audioholics without inflated measurements.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

Why concentrate on comparing these particular specs? You are only going to use one sub?

I already own an SVS PB23 Plus/2, and i'm deciding weather I want to buy just one more big Sub like the PB-17 Ultra REvolution, or get two PB-3000 or PB-4000. I'm still thinking it over. I will have some Bass wiggle room if I get the matching SVS Pinnacle towers & Center. Then the only thing im waiting on will be Dirac ART. Which looks like it will be releasing possibly this April on Denon & Marantz receivers. Then I can use my Subs to literally deaden my room acoustics.

 

[Chrispy]

I already own an SVS PB23 Plus/2, and i'm deciding weather I want to buy just one more big like the PB-17 Ultra REvolution, or get two PB-3000 or PB-4000. I'm still thinking it over. I will have some Bass wiggle room if I get the SVS Pinnacle towers. Then the only thing on waiting on will be Dirac ART. Which looks like it will be releasing possible this April on Denon & Marantz receivers. Then I can use my Subs to literally deaden my room acoustics.

Never heard of a PB23 plus/2. PB2? I'd still prefer two idential subs myself....

 

[waynel]

#1 The measurements were altered +3dB in nearly every case, I assume he was adding room gain to Anechoic measurements. Problem is gain depends on placement and room.

The spreadsheet is shown as Peak SPL rather than RMS for consistent comparison which is responsible for the 3dB increase from RMS measurements. There is nothing wrong with this as one of the two needed to be picked.