Price Paid:  $1700.00 from sonicboom audio

Summary:
This is a review for the SVS PB12 Ultra (single driver). Mine is in the cherry finish. Price is listed in CDN$ and includes shipping.
I've owned and auditioned multiple different subwoofers and this one is by far the best. Whoever said it was hard to find a compromise between a musical sub and a good HT sub hasn't tried the SVS PB12 ultra. This sub hits hard, and goes deeper than any sub I've ever listened to. I've got the Ultra crossed over thru my reciever at 50Hz, and using the onboard single band EQ I'm getting flat frequency responce from 50Hz down to 14Hz at 80 dB!!! (this is not even with corner placement, it is in the middle of a 14" wall!)
I'm amazed at how easily this sub integrated with my system for HT and music. With the other subs I've owned, I always felt like i was turning it up a bit becouse there was no bass, then turning it down becouse the bass was overwhelming, not with this one. Took a while to set up perfect, but I haven't touched it in months.
For music it is amazingly deep and powerfull, yet subtile. Detailed yet accurate. For HT it'll knock your sox off!
The other subs I've owned are the Velodyne DD10 (intense and powerfull, small footprint, yet too clinical, no warmth, and very directional with hot and cold spots) and the M&K MX350 (good for music, good tone and warmth but no low end, and no low end filter, so distortion was frequently audible!) the SVS destroys them.

Strengths:
Effortless Depth. Incredible impact and sound. Bottom firing design for even bass thruout the room. Beautiful finish.

Weaknesses:
-Some might find the size a weakness. it is LARGE!
-Some minor port chuffing at extremely low frequency (ie 10 - 14 Hz at 80+dB)
-If your fronts are too small it may be difficult to cross this sub over at 80 or 100Hz and get a flat response like I have.

Similar Products Used:
Velodyne DD10
M&K MX350
dual Alpine 10" type "R" subs (car audio)
JL 10W7 (car audio)

RTSail

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $1199.00 from SVSound.com

Summary:
I reference this website often and thought I'd offer some feedback on the PB12-Ultra Sub I received about a month ago. After Shopping at the usual retailers and local HiFi shops I did some research online. The SVS line of subwoofers seem to offer the best combination of performance and value. Of course this was all based on reviews. ACI also seems to offer a good product with similar appeal. At the end of the day I chose to go with SVS, and no regrets so far. SVS, markets directly to the public through there website. Shipping was only $99.00 but delivery was curbside. This could be a problem considering the bulk and weight of the sub. Fortunately the driver was willing to help me get the sub to my porch. From there I was able manage. After placing the sub and letting sit for a day to adjust to room temperature I connected it via low level input and settled in for some listening (level set to 1/4). From the first notes that passed my ears and thumped my chest this sub has impressed. Musically it's accurate and quick. Movies with lots of LFE are much more real. Out of the box it has performed very well, and after calibration and break-in I'm sure the best is yet to come. I'll have to qualify my remarks with the fact that this is only the second sub I've ever owned. The first sounded so horrible I returned it the day after I bought it. It was cheap and really not worth mentioning other than to say you get what you pay for. The PB12-Ultra is a powerful sub with more than an enough output for my listening room. What really pleases me though is how musical it is. The cabinet is constructed like a tank, and it's quite large with the potential to be obtrusive. After first seeing it my wife remarked "I didn't know it was going to be that big." I knew it would be that big and she would react as she did. Thankfully, she finally stopped remarking on it's size a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't imagine anyone living in an apartment could get away with using a sub like this. Even at moderate volume I can hear and feel the base all over my house. SVS has my endorsement, I'm completely satisfied.

Strengths:
Very musical. Plenty of output. BOSH amp is flexible and offers settings/setup for nearly any configuration.

Weaknesses:
Curbside delivery! This could be a real problem if you've got a flight of stairs to negotiate or a disability. Large & Heavy, comes with the territory, but these factors should definitely be considered before buying.

Similar Products Used:
None

ggunnell

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1299.00 from svsubwoofers.com

Summary:
Since this is my first review, a little about myself: I got into audio/pro audio in my teens (I'm now in my 50's). I've heard a lot of speakers, both residential and band equipment, including lots WAY out of my price range. So I have to qualify my overall praise for the SVS PB12-Ultra. This is the best non-horn loaded single driver subwoofer I have ever heard. The residential ones I've heard recently enough to mention: Paradigm Servo 15 Velodyne DD12 DefTech 15's (don't remember model #) Most of the B&W's up through the 675. In my current listening room I've had: The Paradigm The DefTech (a pair) Velodyne CHT-12 (a pair) SVS 20-39 PC Plus Admitting the difficulty of comparing subwoofers in different spaces, the SVS Ultra driver goes deeper, louder, and is still "musical". A little bit about the product/company: BEAUTIFUL wood finish, 525 watt amp has continously variable phase control AND a one band parametric equalizer. Factory direct sales save you money! American company. Excellent customer service. The TV-12 driver (that's the "Ultra" in PB12-Ultra) generates emotional reactions as one can read in various audio forums. I did not expect this to happen to me but it did. A big grin spread across my face and I exclaimed the words others have exclaimed before me: "H*** S***!"

Strengths:
Honest company Beautiful workmanship Sound per dollar can't be beat

Weaknesses:
All the money I wasted on other sub's

Similar Products Used:
see above