"Thanks . . . for telling it like it is."

June 29, 2009

To Howard Kneller,

I just read your review of the SVS PC-12 Plus subwoofer and really enjoyed it. I also love the fact that you are using MartinLogan Vantages as your main speakers. I have a pair of Vistas with a Stage center-channel and an SVS PC-Ultra and find the combination nearly unbeatable for the money. It is nice to see someone with experience comparing the SVS with the ML Descent, and providing some perspective on the two components. In the back of my mind I always wonder if I should switch my SVS for an ML sub, and every time I think about it, the value equation just doesn’t seem to add up for me. Besides, since I haven’t had an ML sub in my system, I don’t know what I am missing. In this case ignorance really is bliss.

I often marvel at how dogmatic people get with certain aspects of this hobby. You know, "analog is way better than digital," "tubes better than solid state," "sealed way more detailed than ported," etc. Horses for courses, I say. Listen to what you like, but don’t try to make yourself seem superior by denigrating the people who don’t happen to share those tastes. It seems that when I mention I am using an SVS with MartinLogans I get a lot of rolling eyes, and people questioning my sanity for using a ported sub with MLs (even though my Vistas are ported).

So I really liked your statement:

"As for the so-called music purists who believe that a ported sub can’t make great music, I would say that they likely haven’t heard the PC-12 Plus"

Thanks again for the great read, and for telling it like it is.

Best Regards,

Chuck Story

Thank you for your e-mail.

I could not agree more with your comments. There was a time when many of the audiophile "absolutes" were true. However, many of the newer technologies have matured to the point that each individual piece of equipment must be reviewed on its own merits. For example, for a long time, tube amps were pretty much always considered to be superior to solid-state amps. Today, some people prefer tube amps in some cases, and solid state in others.

I don't have the full details concerning your components, but it sounds to me from the speakers that you have selected that you have put together a high-value, great-sounding system. While I believe that you would not regret looking into the MartinLogan Descent, I am sure that the SVS sub that you have is also very satisfying. Thanks for reading and I wish you the best in your audiophile endeavors. . . . Howard Kneller

Multiple subwoofers?

June 15, 2009

Editor,

I am considering adding a second subwoofer to my system. I have an SVS sub right now and would like to buy a Paradigm Signature Sub 25 to go along with it. Is it a good idea to have multiple subwoofers in a home-theater system? This is strictly for watching movies and some multichannel concert videos. Thanks for the informative website.

Reginald

Multiple subwoofers are a great benefit to the performance of home-theater systems for several reasons: First, you’ll simply have more low-frequency output capability; your system will play louder and cleaner in the bass, which is always a great boon for action movies. Second, your in-room bass response will typically be more linear with several subwoofers; bass modes will smooth out and that will make your HT sound quality dramatically better. So by all means, add the Sub 25 -- a fantastic subwoofer, by the way -- and enjoy! . . . Jeff Fritz

Four subwoofers?

June 3, 2009

To Randall Smith,

My processor has only one subwoofer output. I currently have two subs connected using a "y" breakout cable across the front of my room. I want to have two subs across the front of my home-theater room and two across the rear of the room. Is that possible, and if so, how would I connect the four to the processor?

Thanks,

Kevin

Four subwoofers in your room, if properly setup, will probably sound great. However, I imagine that splitting the sub signal four times, from the one sub output on the back of your receiver, to provide a signal for four separate subs might not feasible and could cause a problem. I would suggest contacting the manufacturer of your processor and ask them to make sure it is capable before trying. On the other hand, there might be other solutions. If your subs have high-level low-pass filters on the back, where you can cross over your rear speakers through your subs, then that would solve a problem. You could drive two of the subs with high-level signals. It's an option. Anyway, good luck! Figuring out how to hook up four subwoofers in a single HT setup is actually a great problem to have. . . . Randall Smith

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