SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Vonner

Any updates on this, piratehunter?

Actually, SVS called me about PH's sub and told me the sub they sent is perfectly fine and it's those damned Technics that's causing the problem.

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Vonner

Any updates on this, piratehunter?

The sub is still in transit to SVS, so I should know something by the end of the week (hopefully).

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Actually, SVS called me about PH's sub and told me the sub they sent is perfectly fine and it's those damned Technics that's causing the problem.

I hate you.

[plissken99]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

The sub is still in transit to SVS, so I should know something by the end of the week (hopefully).

Did you have to pay return shipping?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by plissken99

Did you have to pay return shipping?

OH! I totally forgot to concede to Vonner on that. They did, in fact, pay the return shipping.

[Vonner]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

OH! I totally forgot to concede to Vonner on that. They did, in fact, pay the return shipping.

[chipmac]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

OH! I totally forgot to concede to Vonner on that. They did, in fact, pay the return shipping.

Good to hear. Did you return it for an exchange or a refund? As it sounds like it was a defective sub I'm hoping you'll give them another chance.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by chipmac

Good to hear. Did you return it for an exchange or a refund? As it sounds like it was a defective sub I'm hoping you'll give them another chance.

I'm waiting for the sub to get to them. Once there, I'll talk to them about a refund.

I have no doubt that SVS makes wonderful subs (when working), but I really don't want to have to go through this again. I know the odds of me getting another lemon are slim, but after the 3 days of testing and the two days of trying to get it to UPS (so heavy); I'm just not interested in trying again.

I might change my mind when I hear from them, but I’m considering giving that Martin Logan a shot.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I might change my mind when I hear from them, but I’m considering giving that Martin Logan a shot.

How will you feel if the Martin Logan unit you get is a defective unit?

In any event, keep us posted!

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

How will you feel if the Martin Logan unit you get is a defective unit?

I'll give up home theatre...

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I'll give up home theatre...

fair enough.

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

fair enough.

Peace...

Seriously though, the Martin Logan is 1/3 the size of the SVS and if it’s a dud, it’s only a 20min trip back to Best Buy to switch it out.

Much easier than lifting a 95lb box into my tiny car.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Seriously though, the Martin Logan is 1/3 the size of the SVS and if it’s a dud, it’s only a 20min trip back to Best Buy to switch it out.

Much easier than lifting a 95lb box into my tiny car.

Yep, I completely understand. My only concern is your currently basing your SVS judgment on a possibly defective unit. We'll find out soon enough if that's actually the case or not. If the unit wasn't defective, than you just didn't like the SVS performance. If the unit was defective, you can't make any judgments on its performance since your experience was flawed by the defective unit.

We'll see what SVS says.

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Yep, I completely understand. My only concern is your currently basing your SVS judgment on a possibly defective unit.

I'm basing my judgment on the fact that that particular unit didn't work. As I said before, I'm sure that SVS makes great stuff. I trust the other SVS owners enough to be sure of that.

I just don't want to return another on if it gets knocked in shipping again or something.

[Iguana Man]

So if SVS comes back and says the unit was indeed defective, offer a replacement at a slightly lesser price, and throw in free shipping......

Will you go for the replacement?

Just curious.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

So if SVS comes back and says the unit was indeed defective, offer a replacement at a slightly lesser price, and throw in free shipping......

Will you go for the replacement?

Just curious.

Maybe.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Maybe.

What if they had busty blondes come by to do the installation?

Peace...

[Iguana Man]

Maybe? That's a lame answer man. Come on. YES or NO?

Ok, well in the mean time, can you at least grab the ML, or any other sub and bring it home for a demo? Just to get some feel for what each performs like in your room?

Hey, I know..I was told the same thing...demo at home! Well, I didn't and either got lucky or really understood (doubtfull ) what kind of sub/sound I wanted. It worked out for me, but if it hadn't...like you...I would make an effort to demo in home as much as possible while you make up your mind on the scenario I presented above.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

What if they had busty blondes come by to do the installation?

Peace...

I'd buy a pair of Tech's and buy a KLH sub.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

What if they had busty blondes come by to do the installation?

Peace...

It depends on SVS’s view on these blondes being nude. If they install my sub in an artistic fashion, then sure. If it's going to be a gratuitous install that could possibly damage the rest of their home theatre installation career, than absolutely not.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Maybe? That's a lame answer man. Come on. YES or NO?

Sorry, it's the best I've got for now.

Unfortunately the ML is $900, so I'm going to have to wait a few weeks before I can demo it.

[Pirate]

UPDATE:

SVS did not pay return shipping!

When they sent me the printable UPS return label it was fully paid for, leading me to believe that they had taken care of the shipping. I got the email this morning that they had credited my card and when I checked the credit total, I was missing exactly $52.39. I emailed SVS and asked if the missing money was the return shipping and they verified that it was.

So, with the original shipping cost, this experience ended up costing me $112.36.

P.S. They still haven't told me whether the sub was defective or not.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

UPDATE:

SVS did not pay return shipping!

When they sent me the printable UPS return label it was fully paid for, leading me to believe that they had taken care of the shipping. I got the email this morning that they had credited my card and when I checked the credit total, I was missing exactly $52.39. I emailed SVS and asked if the missing money was the return shipping and they verified that it was.

So, with the original shipping cost, this experience ended up costing me $112.36.

Wow, that sucks. This alone would make me want to move to another brand. I would forget SVS and move on to Martin Logan and other brands.

P.S. They still haven't told me whether the sub was defective or not.

Please let us know what they tell you since we're all curious.

Peace...

[Wirehed]

I have to agree with Tom on this, they should pay the shipping charges, especially if it's a faulty sub. I would also just ask for my money back, including the shipping they charged you.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

I have to agree with Tom on this, they should pay the shipping charges, especially if it's a faulty sub. I would also just ask for my money back, including the shipping they charged you.

I can't really ask for the shipping charge back. Remember, I was pretty sure to begin with that I had to pay it. I just thought SVS was doing me a solid.

[Pirate]

I just emailed SVS tech support and asked (reminded) them to take a look at the sub. They said they'd get right on it, so I should have something to report soon.

[chipmac]

Well I'm pretty sure that if you're returning it then it's on your dime. But if it was defective and you're going to exchange it then they'll cover the shipping. Since it sounds like you're returning it regardless of if it was defective then I do believe their policy is for you to pay. Why would they "do you a solid" if you're not doing business with them?

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I'm waiting for the sub to get to them. Once there, I'll talk to them about a refund.

PH, this is your response to chipmac about whether you sent it back to exchange or for a refund. When did you talk with them about a refund vs an exchange before you found out about the shipping charge?

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

PH, this is your response to chipmac about whether you sent it back to exchange or for a refund. When did you talk with them about a refund vs an exchange before you found out about the shipping charge?

Peace...

I didn’t talk to them about either really. I just asked them how to return the sub and they sent me the UPS label. In one of the emails I had mentioned that the sub wasn’t going to work for me the way it was, but I never said I didn’t want to exchange it. I think they just assumed that.

Once they received the sub, they sent me an email stating that my cards had been credited.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by chipmac

Well I'm pretty sure that if you're returning it then it's on your dime. But if it was defective and you're going to exchange it then they'll cover the shipping. Since it sounds like you're returning it regardless of if it was defective then I do believe their policy is for you to pay. Why would they "do you a solid" if you're not doing business with them?

I never thought that they would, but others on the forum seemed sure that SVS would handle the return shipping.

When they sent me the UPS label, I thought they were right…at least until today.

[Vonner]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I never thought that they would, but others on the forum seemed sure that SVS would handle the return shipping.

I was under the impression that you were exchanging it when I thought they would pay the shipping. I think chipmac is right, if they were under the assumption that it was a straight return (and from your posts it sounds like they were) then I can see you paying shipping. UNLESS-- it is found defective. If it is defective then I would contact them again about giving you back your return shipping charge.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Vonner

If it is defective then I would contact them again about giving you back your return shipping charge.

I'll definitely try.

[Iguana Man]

Fuck this email shit PH, get on the damn phone with these folks and you WILL see results in your favor.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but quit dicking around.

(yes...I've been drinking)

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Fuck this email shit PH, get on the damn phone with these folks and you WILL see results in your favor.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but quit dicking around.

(yes...I've been drinking)

Actually, SVS has been very fast with their responses. I just have to wait for tech support to look at the sub. I don't think I can make that go any faster.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I don't think I can make that go any faster.

If you show up on their doorstep with a bat, they will move faster.

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

If you show up on their doorstep with a bat, they will move faster.

Peace...

Yeah...bats are fuckin scary!

[rossandwendy]

I'm new to the forum and have been following this thread with great interest as I had just ordered my own SVS PB12-NSD and was hoping it would not disappoint. The quasi-anechoic frequency response graph as measured by SVS is incredibly flat from well below 20hz on up to 100hz and above, so I figured the only limiting factor in getting great sound would be the interaction with my room. My HT is in one half of a 16 x 24 x 9 space with a 4ft wide opening on the right to another room that is 12 x 24 x 9 (actually half of that is 18ft. high) and a stairwell opening on the left. After much experimentation with sub placement in various positions and phase settings, using the Rives Test CD #2 1/3rd octave tones with built-in correction for the Radio Shack SPL meter, I was finally able to get a reasonably smooth +/-4.5db from 20-100hz (and I am quite sure the response is going all the way down to at least 15hz but I don't have test tones yet to measure this low) and I have a BFD that I will soon hook up to further smooth the response. After a day of measuring and graphing I was amazed at how important room interaction becomes with a powerful sub and how drastically the frequency response varied depending on exact sub placement and phase settings - with some arrangements I was getting nasty dips as bad as -20db. I'm running the sub with 5 Ascend speakers powered by an H/K AVR 340 with an 80hz crossover and Oppo 970 as source displayed on a Panasonic TH-42PX60U.

As for the sound of the SVS in my room: on various classical, jazz and rock CD's I am getting clean, tight, musical bass that integrates beautifully with the Ascends (after careful sub level adjustment). With music I almost do not know the sub is there as it does not boom or distort or call attention to itself - it just plays the notes within its range very naturally. The amount of low-level ambience revealed on many of my classical and jazz CD's is a nice benefit. On DVD's I've only run through a few famous demo scenes so far (Finding Nemo, Star Wars I, Master & Commander) but the results have been astounding - the PB12-NSD takes control of my room and won't let go, belting out tremendous low-frequency waves that, when the source calls for it, set everything in the room including my body to vibrating. When I went outside while the Nemo submarine falling scene was playing at -10db the whole side of the house was rattling and roaring and I was quite sure the neighbors were not going to be too happy! My wife is shocked to hear bass this powerful on movies and she seems to think this kind of experience is entirely unnecessary, but I will do my best to convince her that it is fun (and an accurate representation of what is actually recorded on the DVD).

Anyway, just wanted to share my experience with my own PB12-NSD and wish piratehunter the best in his quest for a sub that will put a big grin on his face!

Cheers,
Ross

[Pirate]

Thanks for the input, Ross. I'm glad this sub is working out for someone.

P.S. Where did you place the sub and isn't it eating up a lot of room? I ask because you said you were only using half of the room.

[rossandwendy]

Yes, it is a beast, but I assured the wife that there are much bigger subs out there so ours is only 'moderate' (not sure if she bought that). I ordered mine in white which seems to make it a bit less visually obnoxious in my room (matches white painted woodwork) and the best measured response was with it tucked in the right front corner so thankfully it is not interfering with floor space. My 16x24 space is half family room where the HT is set up and completey open to the rear half which is the kitchen.

I did find that I needed to turn up the sub trim level in my receiver by around 3db for the best bass impact on DVD's compared to the lower setting I'm using for music and TV, and from what I have read it is pretty common to do this and run the sub a little 'hot' for movies (some have said they like their sub as much as 10db hot which if I tried that would definitely bring the cops out here!).

[Pirate]

I would have kept the SVS if it had worked for me, but I can't say I'm not looking forward to the smaller size of the Martin logan. That is...if it works for me.

[plissken99]

Still no word from SVS?