Price Paid:  $875.00 from SVS Online

Summary:
A friend told me to check into SVS cylindrical subs - I have never looked back. I debated some time over which size and model, and selected the 16hz, 46" tall PCi-Plus model based on reviews and money available. This thing is huge, and the 70+ pound package can break your back when it arrives. I was just able to squeeze it into the back seat of my Contour with the front seats pulled forward.
Unbelievable bass! Running low frequency test notes is a strain on my building structure. My ears don't detect much below 25Hz from the speaker, but the pipes banging in the next room are testimony to that waves being produced. The nuclear explosion in Sum of All Fears and the Earth's explosion in Titan A.E. are great for showing off to friends. Cannon fire on Band of Brother raps your chest like you are getting slugged.
I have also run some Peter Gabriel SACD across the system and was impressed by the smothness that the sub rolls on. More musical than I had expected.
I dialed the bass in big, but the big top end of my B&W speakers do well to maintain balance. You hear the explosion and that person dropping their keys this way.

Strengths:
Super low bass, clean, yet smooth enough for music. Good value.

Weaknesses:
Not to wild about the velvet cover, some wrinkles. luckily I hid it behind my TV for now.

Similar Products Used:
JBL 12" 250W Downfiring Sub. This sub bottomed on the big explosions. I moved it upstairs and it does wonders sitting on the hardwood floor, but just wasn't big enough to play in the basement.

Price Paid:  $825.00 from svs subwoofer

Summary:
Wow....thats about it !! This sub rocks hard. I have had this subwoofer for less than 3 months but amazingly keeps impressing me ! Very nice looking (well at least i think so but the girlfriend says its too big) easilly fits into any corner and takes up less floor space than most box subs. Works perfect with my home theatre setup and blends in sonically. Very good people to deal with and very helpfull. Quick response on email and phone calls trying to figure out a small problem. I'm going to buy a second one just so i can move all the furniture around upstairs without having to lift a finger. :)

Strengths:
Base is very, very deep and response is superb on music or dvd viewing.

Weaknesses:
No problem untill i reached the 6th DVD i watched with it. Sub bottomed out on K-19 Widowmaker movie but plays everything else i can throw at it without a grunt. SVS is currently viewing the movie now to see if the bass spike is the problem.

Similar Products Used:
My system is a older setup and took a bit to find the right center channel but really sounds great. Front AMT 1D ess speakers,rear ess tempest Ls 4's, surrounds JVC ZERO fives and center klipsch rc-3,

Price Paid:  $875.00 from svsubwoofers.com

Summary:
Was first impressed with the customer service I received from Tom V at SVS. He actually recommended a cheaper sub, but I am greedy.

This thing is so huge! Luckily it hides behind my projection TV, so the WAF was not really an issue. I was using a Paradigm PS-1200 subwoofer before this which I thought was awesome. Boy was I wrong!! While the Paradigm sub did its job, I had no idea how much bass it was not producing. The 'Coming Mother' scene in the "Haunting" DVD is unbelievable. It shakes my couch so much it feels like I have bass shakers installed. I have this in a 6000 cubic foot room and I could not imagine needing anymore bass than this.

I really wonder if the previous reviewer used Avia and an SPL meter to calibrate this sub, there is absolutly nothing boomy about it if it is calibrated. Also, they are not reviewing the PC+ version, but the CS+ version.

Strengths:
Super Deep bass that you can really feel. Attractive, versitile design.

Weaknesses:
May be to large for some installs

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm PS-1200

Price Paid:  $825.00 from SVS

Summary:
Look no further. If you want a sub that can do structural damage to your house, then this is it! Not recommended for apartment dwellers. I was looking at subs in the $1200+ range but really didn't want to spend that much. Then I heard about SVS. All the reviews I read were positive and how you can't get a better bang for your buck. Also how good the customer service is. Well they were right. I emailed them a detailed drawing of my room and a list of my equipement and they promptly emailed me back advising me which sub to buy and where to place it. I was impressed so I placed an order. I ordered one of their B stock (hard to come across) 16-46 PC+ subs to save even more money. I was expecting some flaws, but when it came it looked perfect. Then I hooked it up. Wow! I was impressed. It sounded even better after a couple days when the cable burned in. This sub has too much power! I tried to set it up by ear but it just wasn't right so I bought a sound meter and calibration disc (just like SVS advised) and set it up. That made a difference. The gain control is only about 1/4th up and this baby rocks! I was watching Tomb Raider and during chapt 10 the room was rumbling and shaking so hard I thought the walls and windows were going to crack! I don't think you can get a sub that goes this deep and clean for twice the price, and it's tunable down to 12hz if you dare! The phase conrol allows it to blend well with any speakers. I'm using Vandersteen Model 3's, which go down to 27hz on their own and it blends like it was made for them. I bought a sub mostly for home theater but it sounds great with music also. I'm glad I discovered SVS before plunking down $1200+ for another sub that might not have even performed as well. With their 45 day return policy you can't go wrong.

Strengths:
Deep, clean, bone rattling bass. Easily out-performs subs costing twice as much. Customer service second to none.

Weaknesses:
None performance wise, but the size might not appeal to everyone. SVS now makes box subs also.

Price Paid:  $875.00 from SVS

Summary:
I owned a Paradigm PS-1000 for the last year and was not happy with it. It produces good clean bass, just not enough of it on movies. I wanted to be kicked in the chest during explosions! I have been trying to buy a Paradigm Servo 15 used and only wanted to spend 800.00. I didn't even consider SVS because they were too cheap new. I just figured you get what you pay for and if I could get a sub that retailed for 2000.00 new, and buy it used for 800.00, it would be way better than a sub that was only 875.00 new. But I couldn't stop reading all the great reviews these subs were getting, and with SVS offering a 45 return policy I figured I'd take the chance.
My SVS 16-46-PC PLUS arrived and I hooked it up, thru in my Superbit version of "Knight's Tale" and sat down for what I thought would be the best bass I've heard in my theater. WRONG ! It was no better than my Paradigm. I hung my head and went to do a couple other things and a buddy of mine showed up to watch a moie. We put in The Fast and the Furious and WOW WOW WOW ! The bass was just what I wanted. The first dvd just does not have much bass in it's audio tract. The next day I watched a couple other DVD's that SVS list's for bass demo's. THEY ALL ROCKED. I had to turn the bass down. I thought I'd NEVER have to do that. The bass is clean and it STOPS instantly. NO ROLL OFF. I couldn't be happier. I hear of guys that buy 2 subs. I have a room that is dedicated to home theater, have plenty of room, love bass, but 2 of these would be extreme overkill. So I probably won't buy another one for a few months! HAHAHA
As far as listening to cd's, it is excellent! I played bass guitar for years and you can decipher each note with this sub. After hearing it, I can honestly say that if it retailed for 3000.00 and someone wanted to sell me their's for 1500.00, I WOULD PAY IT. What an incredible sub !!!

Strengths:
Wall shattering bass, very very clean and tight. The size I LOVE. People have to wipe tha smile off their face when they leave my theater room.
As everyone knows, the service you get from SVS is THE BEST. Rolls Royce could learn a lesson from these guys about customer service. Just e-mail them a question and see how fast you have an answer.

Weaknesses:
Unless you know an SVS sub owner, you can't hear them before you buy them. If you could, alot of companies would go out of business. DON"T LET THE LOW PRICE STOP YOU FROM BUYING ONE OR TWO OF THESE. REALLY.

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm PS-1000
DCW
Polk
Bose (what an overpriced joke)
Radio Shack (piece of junk)