Thread: SVS sub with phone controlled app - how good is it?

I review how the SVS with its phone controlled app compares against other subs I've owned.


SVS Subwoofer - Better Than REL or Velodyne Subs? - YouTube

I have a pair of SVS PB-1000 Pro subs, along with the app naturally. I have the app both on my Android phone (Samsung) and Apple iPad Mini (old unit). They both work flawlessly and quite responsive. The only thing in the past 1.5 years of owning these subs I have touched on them is the main power switch. Everything else has all been down through the app in the comfort of my listening seat.

Also comes in handy when you're running REW (Room EQ Wizard). Since the mic is in the listening location, I stand in the back corner of the room with my laptop and control the subs from back there. Very convenient.

Originally Posted by chops

I have a pair of SVS PB-1000 Pro subs, along with the app naturally. I have the app both on my Android phone (Samsung) and Apple iPad Mini (old unit). They both work flawlessly and quite responsive. The only thing in the past 1.5 years of owning these subs I have touched on them is the main power switch. Everything else has all been down through the app in the comfort of my listening seat.

Also comes in handy when you're running REW (Room EQ Wizard). Since the mic is in the listening location, I stand in the back corner of the room with my laptop and control the subs from back there. Very convenient.

I started off with the sealed 1000 then upgraded to this model.

What don't you like about the main power switch?

I keep mine on Auto so the sub turns off when I am not listening to music and automatically turns back on when I start to listen to music.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

I started off with the sealed 1000 then upgraded to this model.

What don't you like about the main power switch?

I keep mine on Auto so the sub turns off when I am not listening to music and automatically turns back on when I start to listen to music.

I think the ported model gets you everything the sealed model offers, but with a bit more output and definitely more extension.

There's nothing wrong with the main power switch. I just said that's the only thing I've touched on the back panel of the subs. Everything else I've done through the app. That's all.

Just like the rest of my system, I keep the subs powered on 24/7.

Originally Posted by chops

I think the ported model gets you everything the sealed model offers, but with a bit more output and definitely more extension.

There's nothing wrong with the main power switch. I just said that's the only thing I've touched on the back panel of the subs. Everything else I've done through the app. That's all.

Just like the rest of my system, I keep the subs powered on 24/7.

Ahhh...OK. Sorry I misunderstood.

I've owned REL, Velodyne, a sealed SVS and this ported SVS and by far I love this SVS the best. The ability to set it up for x-over slope, high pass frequency, phase, polarity, overall output and more while sitting in your listening position makes dialing in easy.

I will say I did get even better sound when I took Mike's advice and bought the DSP 8033S-II for it.

Try bigger sealed models. SB-3000, SB-4000, SB16-Ultra.

Originally Posted by Delija

Try bigger sealed models. SB-3000, SB-4000, SB16-Ultra.

This one come with port blockers and has a setting that changes how it behaves so it can mimic more closely a sealed version.

Originally Posted by Delija

Try bigger sealed models. SB-3000, SB-4000, SB16-Ultra.

All of the higher models are useless to me.

I always send the signal to my subs via high-level inputs (speaker level inputs). The SB/PB 1000 Pro's are the only models that allow this. All of the other models require a low level RCA input.

When I was in the market for new subs, I had planned on a pair of 4000's, but after noticing that they (as well as the rest of the other series) only accepted low level inputs, I grabbed up a couple of the PB-1000 Pro's.

And I'll add that these PB-1000 Pro's perform every bit as good as the JL e-110 subs that I still have here (just as tight, agile, articulate, detailed), but the SVS subs extended quite a bit lower. I still need to sell these JL's.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

This one come with port blockers and has a setting that changes how it behaves so it can mimic more closely a sealed version.

That's a nice feature, but my point was different. Higher sealed models are much better for music.

Originally Posted by Delija

Higher sealed models are much better for music.

Not necessarily.

As I said above...

"And I'll add that these PB-1000 Pro's perform every bit as good as the JL e-110 subs that I still have here (just as tight, agile, articulate, detailed), but the SVS subs extended quite a bit lower."

Yes, necessarily

You have connectivity issues - that's not related to the fact that SB-3000, SB-4000 and especially SB16-Ultra are clearly superior compared with the base ported model.

JL e-110 is a nice small sub, but I dont see why you see it as a reference of any kind .

I had PB10-NSD in the past - the predecessor of PB-1000. It was a great little sub - especially for its price. SB16-Ultra is leagues ahead. It's not even comparable.

I had a chance to listen to almost all current SVS models and some number of old ones.

Originally Posted by Delija

Yes, necessarily

You have connectivity issues - that's not related to the fact that SB-3000, SB-4000 and especially SB16-Ultra are clearly superior compared with the base ported model.

JL e-110 is a nice small sub, but I dont see why you see it as a reference of any kind .

I had PB10-NSD in the past - the predecessor of PB-1000. It was a great little sub - especially for its price. SB16-Ultra is leagues ahead. It's not even comparable.

I had a chance to listen to almost all current SVS models and some number of old ones.

LOL... Go ahead and keep believing that.

Being that I've owned various SVS subs of all levels for over 20 years now, as well as many other brand subs including said JL's, I have a pretty good handle on what these "base ported models" are capable of against the higher models.

And no, I do not have connectivity issues.

But I'm not going to sit here and argue with you. I have more important, better things to do.

And you keep believing that BMW 318i has the same performance as M3


Have a nice day

The "ignore list" is a great feature. My list just grew a little bigger...

I am happy for you

Originally Posted by Delija

That's a nice feature, but my point was different. Higher sealed models are much better for music.

@MichaelsMinute
Just to clarify this - I wrote this because you've mentioned SB-1000 as previous SVS sub you've owned.

Also, sealed mode on ported subs is not exactly the same as sealed sub - the volume of the box is very important and it's not possible to have optimal volume for both sealed and ported mode in the same time. Ported mode is the "main" mode - so the volume is optimal for ported mode. I had a chance to compare PB-4000 in sealed mode with SB-4000. I didn't like PB-4000 in sealed mode. Even for music, I would probably use it with all ports open.

Originally Posted by Delija

I am happy for you



@MichaelsMinute
Just to clarify this - I wrote this because you've mentioned SB-1000 as previous SVS sub you've owned.

Also, sealed mode on ported subs is not exactly the same as sealed sub - the volume of the box is very important and it's not possible to have optimal volume for both sealed and ported mode in the same time. Ported mode is the "main" mode - so the volume is optimal for ported mode. I had a chance to compare PB-4000 in sealed mode with SB-4000. I didn't like PB-4000 in sealed mode. Even for music, I would probably use it with all ports open.

No worries. That's what's so great about this hobby - there is an infinite amount of gear available so we can all choose what sounds best to us in our system. I don't view there as being a "right" or "wrong" on this issue and value your thoughts and input on what worked well for you.

ETA: With my speakers having 15" horn loaded woofers and an efficiency of approx. 103db, in my room, with my listening habits, and to my taste I have not found a sealed sub that can keep up with them as well as the PB-3000 that I have . I had tried other SVS's and other subs. I'm not saying this as a declaratory "end all be all" statement, just as info on what worked best for me.

Which ever sub you go with from SVS, I do think the phone app is a game changer being able to tune while sitting in your listening position.

I'm pretty sure that dual SB16-Ultra would do a fantastic job in your system.

One thing's for sure - SVS makes really great subs and their customer support is second to none

Originally Posted by Delija

I'm pretty sure that dual SB16-Ultra would do a fantastic job in your system.

One thing's for sure - SVS makes really great subs and their customer support is second to none

Totally agree! I'm sure the 16 would be amazing. But it weighs more than me LOL