Secrets Benchmark Product Review
 

SVS PB12-Plus Subwoofer

Part II

January, 2006

Ed Mullen

 

Woofer Description

The woofer is manufactured by TC-Sounds exclusively for SVS, and was first introduced in the PC-Plus powered cylinder line a few years ago. Referred to as the dB12, this driver has undergone numerous upgrades since its introduction, which SVS indicates have significantly improved its performance and durability.

The latest iteration (dB12.2) of this driver has the following features:

- An overhung 2" voice coil with an aluminum former
- An extra deep stamped steel basket allowing for high excursion
- A double stacked strontium-ferrite magnet assembly
- A vented pole piece
- An aluminum cone with inverted dust cap and nitrile rubber surround
- Dual mirrored spiders with opposing tinsel leads for symmetrical centering forces

Amplifier Description

- Digital BASH (Indigo) 525 watts continuous
- Phase Control (0-180 degrees continuously variable)
- Tune Settings (20, 16, 12 Hz – each with optimized EQ and high pass filter)
- Single band PEQ (frequency, Q, attenuation; premium finishes only)
- Clipping, thermal, and overload protection limiters
- On/Auto (2-way toggle, red/green indicator light)
- Gain/Volume control
- Low Pass Filter with defeat switch (40 Hz -120 Hz, continuously variable, 2nd order)
- Low Level L/R RCA inputs and outputs
- High level L/R inputs and outputs (fixed 100 Hz 1st order high pass filter)
- Power switch (2-way rocker) with replaceable fuse
- Detachable Heavy Duty Power Cord (3 prong)

The control layout is logical, and all the switches and rotary controls move smoothly with a quality feel. I liked the rubberized covering on the rotary controls, which makes them easy to adjust.

The continuously variable 0-180 phase control allows precise phase integration between the speakers and the subwoofer at the crossover frequency. The phase control is also very useful for integrating multiple subwoofers in a room.

The single band on-board PEQ features three continuously variable controls: Bandwidth (Q = 0.1-0.9), Frequency (20 Hz -80 Hz), and Level (0 dB -12 dB attenuation). Essentially, this control can be used to tame a peak in the in-room frequency response. The owner's manual provides an in-depth description of how to operate the PEQ. During my testing, I did notice the attenuation control was somewhat non-linear, with most of the cut effect occurring in the latter half of the control range.

On the Bench

Set-Up: All objective tests were conducted outside and away from any reflective structures, with the subwoofer sitting on the ground plane. The microphone was also placed on the ground plane, perpendicular to the subwoofer at a distance of two meters from the width and depth center point of the cabinet. This test environment (often called ½ space or 2 pi) will provide a very similar (but not identical) frequency response as a free air (full space or 4 pi) test environment.

Frequency Response Test

A subwoofer with a flat frequency response will sound even and linear across the entire pass band. And the deeper a subwoofer can extend, the better it will be able to play pipe organ music, or the extremely deep special effects found on many action DVDs.

A short-duration (about 0.5 seconds) digitally synthesized logarithmic sine sweep was used to evaluate the frequency response of the subwoofer. The output of the sweep was adjusted to 95 dB -100 dB over the majority of the pass band. The sweep resolution is 1/24 octave, with no smoothing applied.

In the 20 Hz tune, the PB12-Plus frequency response measured 18 Hz -200 Hz ± 3 dB, characterized by a peak in the 30 Hz -70 Hz region.

In the 16 Hz tune, the frequency response flattened considerably, measuring 13 Hz - 200 Hz ± 3 dB, and an excellent 14 Hz - 100 Hz ±  1.5 dB.

Click Here to Go to Part III.

© Copyright 2006 Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity

Go to Table of Contents for this Issue

Go to Home Page

 

About Secrets

Register

Terms and Conditions of Use
 

PAGEFEEDBACK
Our Vault pages may have some display quirks. Let us know if we need to take a look at this page or fix a bug.
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Connect with us
  • Instagram
  • Google+
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
Secrets "Cave"
Facebook
Close