Hi Mark, does the sound quality default to the less capable sub/s (Although both svs and paradigm are very much capable, I'm sure)? Like what happened to Jay2's setup: the velodyne was affecting the performance such that when we removed it from the setup, the performance of just the dual pb13 ultras was much better despite having 1 less sub in the configuration?
Kung baga, in terms of LFE extension, does the Paradigm hold back the SVS, and does the SVS affect the musical quality of the Paradigm? In other words, what is the effect, whether positive or negative, of mixing 2 very different sets of subs?
Do I make sense? hehe
Hi Arn. Yes, you make sense.
I think the answer also depends on whether or not you are using some form of room correction for the bass, similar to the SVS AS-EQ1 (which both Jay2 and I have).
Let’s say that you have 2 subs with dissimilar characteristics – Sub1 goes down to 16 Hz while Sub2 goes down to 24 Hz – and you send the same signal to the 2 subs, using a Y-cable. Both subs will be reproducing the same signal but for signals from 18 to 24 Hz, only Sub1 will be heard. That means that the SPL will be cut in half for those signals. You’ll still be able to hear the deep bass but it will be softer and have less impact.
Next, let’s assume that Sub1 has a flat frequency response (accurate) while the frequency response of Sub2 jumps all over the place. You will get an average response quality that is in-between the 2 subs.
Now, if you use an SVS AS-EQ1, you complicate things. When it “listens” to the 2 subs together, it may think that the lower limit of their combined capability is only 24 Hz (the weaker sub). From what I know, the EQ1 may apply a high-pass filter at 24 Hz, thus effectively removing the 18 to 24 Hz response of Sub1. I think this is exactly what happened in the case of Jay2. He had 2 SVS Ultras with a y-cable and therefore seen as one sub while the Velo CHT-15 had no y-cable so it was also seen as a single sub. No matter how capable the 2 Ultras were, their performance was severely downgraded by the Velo.
The Paradigm Servo-15 v2 can go down to 20 Hz and its frequency response is very flat. The SVS PB12-NSD can go down to 18 Hz and also has a flat FR. The performance is not very different. The fact is that in my system, with only 2 Paradigms, the bass extension does not go as deep as when they are combined with the SVS subs while I could not perceive a serious degradation in bass quality (the presence of the SVS AS-EQ1 also helped out because it flattens the frequency response curve and reduces “ringing” and I think it also helped that I "corner-loaded" the 2 Paradigms).
I guess the lesson is that you should only combine subs which have similar characteristics. Having said this, if you already have 2 dissimilar subs, there is no harm in trying them out together. Who knows? There are a lot of theories in audio but the ultimate proof is actually trying things out.
