I had ported SVS subs for years, but when I decided to seal them with plugs, i liked them so much better even for movies. Just puncher and tighter with more control without giving up anything meaningful in the low end.
Outstanding review. Thank you. For me, base on your review I would never opt for a ported subwoofer for personal use. I would refer dual sb3000s rather than a single pb3000 in seal mode b'cos I hate port noise. My philosophy is that dual is always better than single whether ported or sealed it doesn't matter. When you have dual it eliminates the need for a particular listening position hence there are no dead spots. So it makes sense to buy two 10inch or 12inch than a single massive expensive subwoofer. Bigger expensive subwoofer is great but you must buy two if not you're missing something sweet. Right now I've got two sb3000s and they let out huge SPL that I can't handle plus they would out perform and produce a balanced sound than a single pb3000 in sealed or ported mode. I know ported digs deeper but two is always better than one. There'll be dead spots even with a single pb16 ultra. Another thing is, why should I leave my seat to keep plugging/ unplugging a ported subwoofer to alternate between modes? This is a personal decision anyways. Thanks
This is one of your best videos. I tested my subs and they run measurably flatter in my room when sealed. I enjoy the tight, punchy characteristics they exhibit when sealed. Since they are positioned so close to my main listening position I don't feel like I am sacrificing SPL. If anything I still have to turn them down. I also get plenty of meaningful bass below 20 Hz so I don't feel like I am sacrificing depth either. Keep up the good work 🍺
Happy new year! 🍻here's to a good '23!!🍻 I am a sealed sub guy. Started out with ported, inexpensive subs. I owned the SVS SB3000. Small form factor, really hit hard, with tight bass. The size is what sold me. Same with my SB4000. Mini cannon! Ported subs are much larger, sometimes not easy to place or hide. There is always a compromise, output vs esthetics. I now have a pair of PSA S1512 subs which are very capable, sound fantastic.
Happy New Year buddy! Those PSA subs of yours are perfect for your room, they do an excellent job pressurizing your room, even in the low octaves. I am a little jealous of your room sometimes because mine is open concept and can't really be pressurized the same way ;P.
Hey mate! You are the only person on TH-cam who made a video on sealed and ported mode ! I really appreciate it! I have a question ! I love music more than movies but I do watch movies a lot, but I can’t compromise on the musicality for sure! What will be good for me ? PB 1000 pro ( in sealed mode for music ) or SB 1000 ! Does PB 1000 pro performs as good as SB1000 in sealed mode for music!
Sorry, I haven't tested the 1000 subwoofers. But given the response from the PB3000 in sealed mode, I would recommend just getting the PB1000. That way you at least have the versatility. I don't think you would hear a difference between the PB1000 in sealed mode vs the SB1000.
Good video comparison, nice to be able to hear the difference, I prefer sealed because I listen to music more than movies and hate pirt noise. Now I wonder what be the difference between hearing a pb 3000 in sealed vs a sb 3000 sealed? Maybe another video That could be interesting 🤔 Keep up the good work Really enjoy your videos
I've been to Barrett's home many times, mostly as a Guinea pig! Myself, like you I am a music first person. Having owned a SB3000, I prefer it over the ported model for music. To me it seems tighter and more accurate,. It does run out of gas at very loud volumes. I'm not into switching modes and port plugs when I am listening because I prefer sealed subs. Low extension for movies is great, 15hz no problem, again, runs out of gas at very loud volumes. For the $ it is excellent IMO
@@Johnnytrades101 I thought about the sb 3000 as that is a great sub, Presently use dual sb2000 and they seem to integrate real well with my Klipsch rp 8000 so I don't really know if it is worth the upgrade or will it drown out other frequencies in the song, what I do know is run them a little hot on set up if audyssey at 78 to 80 db
@@richardlaforte Truthfully, sound quality wise the difference wont be big. What will change is impact, and that solid punch that comes with more power on tap. Feel it in your chest without drowning out the higher frequency's. That ( for me ) makes music sound dynamic, and realistic.
The PB 3000 is tuned to 16hz in ported mode. Using a Mini-DSP, Put a Hi-Pass filter at 17 Hz with a 48 db Butterworth slope. This should eliminate the port noise.
Nice review,I have the sb-3000 and I can't seem to get it dialed in the pressurize my med size room to get that punch in the chest feeling.What were your settings on the sub and receiver?
I upgraded my pb3000s to the 4000s through the svs trade up program. After doing so, I wish I would've stuck with the 3000s. I had a better response in my room with movies and music with the 3000s.
The more you increase the gain, the less head room you have for dynamics. The sealed mode already has less peak output than the ported mode, so turning up the gain would reduce the headroom even further.
A slightly different question. I really loved amazing tactile bass from very near field subs (few inches behind the couch) but they are not practical with multiple rows. What's your thoughts on having just one or two subs in the room for audible bass, and replacing the very near field subs with bass shakers for tactile feel ??
Question for you Spec of Tech: Can't you buy another PB3000, but place it on top instead of opposite side of the room. Yes, running dual subs, but in a stacked configuration for that 6db added sound. Run both stacked on sealed mode, get that extra 6db you were missing from the 16 hz to 38 hz region, but now you have an essentially super flat down to single digit with very high spl even in the 16 to 38 hz region?
Since changing them to sealed in the app effectively just removes the limiter, did you happen to try measuring them in sealed mode but without the port plugs in? I know the risk would be overexcursion with certain content (especially that Edge Of Tomorrow intro), but I'd be curious to see how they perform.
No I didn't measure them without the port plugs, I would be worried about driver damage. I have already sold the PB3000, so I won't be able to do that experiment...sorry.
@@SpecOfTech for sure you should since its the "holy grail' for bassheads 😅..and it would be interesting to see the output for their smaller models which receive so much praise
Hi brother I love your videos because am a Bass love 🤩 Kindly I would love to see SVS Ultra 16 inches vs Monalith THX 16 ULTRA. If possible olso JTR Double 18 Vs Monalith M215 please 🙏 please 🙏 I will very very grateful Torry from Uganda East Africa peace ☮️
So if you wanted to have your cake and eat it too just get a sealed sub with higher wattage to make up for inefficiency? *edit: I just figured going dual was a given.
Thanks for your reply seaglance.I have my SvS app set for -15 and my settings in my Denon avr set for -4.5.I want to get good excursions on the sub. I don't want to push it past it's limits.I have all the demo 4k discs but I'm not getting the effects that I see and read on youtube
You're talking about the overall volume level. -15 is normal for a subwoofer. I have -12. No need to turn up the volume. Just use your receiver's equalization system or use the SVS app and add a few dB around 90-110 Hz. This will give you the effect of punching in the chest without overloading the subwoofers. I somehow added too much and in the movie John Wick 2 every shot was like a shot to the chest))
@@jamiesmith8307 Almost sounds like a flapping sound. Try to pay close attention to the sound coming out of the bottom of the subwoofer. Keep in mind you must be pushing the subwoofer close to its limits.
@Spec Of Tech ok ya I push them hard and I've never heard anything like that but I will listen to see if I can hear anything. Where it is a rounded port and not just straight on the ends it spose to reduce port noise alot. From what I read anyways haha.
To my hearings, almost all svs subs have high port and mechanical noise during load comparing to all other subs. I feel even velodyne dd sound very better than svs.
Everyone has their own experiences with them. I find that they are in the middle of the road for port noise, I have heard worse and I have heard better. SVS is on the lower end of the spectrum for price, the higher up the spectrum you go... typically the less port noise. That is generally speaking of course and not a hard rule.
Svs is nice but rythmik is way better a fvx15 is less money and better than a pb3000 although your in Canada right so maybe rythmik doesn’t ship there ?
Rythmik does ship to Canada, but with the exchange, shipping and duties, it can add quite a bit to the price. Rythmik does make top tier subwoofers though...agreed.
@@danemoreno88 thats for the "base" model, only has a 400w amp, the svs has much more wattage. You'd have to bump up to the fv15hp wich has a more comparable amp, buts its about 2k.
@@ROBERT-ml7ml the pb3000 is good but it’s no match for rythmik on price and performance the base rythmik outperforms the pb3000 goes to 12hz where as the pb goes to 16
JTR is a far better subwoofer, especially when focused on pure performance. That being said, they are quite a bit more expensive and should outperform this less expensive SVS. I have 3 JTR CAP2400's arriving this month, and I can't wait. I am also getting a Paradigm XR13 in for review, I am really excited for that one as well.
I had ported SVS subs for years, but when I decided to seal them with plugs, i liked them so much better even for movies. Just puncher and tighter with more control without giving up anything meaningful in the low end.
@@happydogg312 I have 2 older PC-12 plus subs that still work great, and two newer PC-2000 pros.
Outstanding review. Thank you. For me, base on your review I would never opt for a ported subwoofer for personal use. I would refer dual sb3000s rather than a single pb3000 in seal mode b'cos I hate port noise.
My philosophy is that dual is always better than single whether ported or sealed it doesn't matter. When you have dual it eliminates the need for a particular listening position hence there are no dead spots. So it makes sense to buy two 10inch or 12inch than a single massive expensive subwoofer. Bigger expensive subwoofer is great but you must buy two if not you're missing something sweet.
Right now I've got two sb3000s and they let out huge SPL that I can't handle plus they would out perform and produce a balanced sound than a single pb3000 in sealed or ported mode. I know ported digs deeper but two is always better than one. There'll be dead spots even with a single pb16 ultra.
Another thing is, why should I leave my seat to keep plugging/ unplugging a ported subwoofer to alternate between modes?
This is a personal decision anyways. Thanks
This is one of your best videos. I tested my subs and they run measurably flatter in my room when sealed. I enjoy the tight, punchy characteristics they exhibit when sealed. Since they are positioned so close to my main listening position I don't feel like I am sacrificing SPL. If anything I still have to turn them down. I also get plenty of meaningful bass below 20 Hz so I don't feel like I am sacrificing depth either. Keep up the good work 🍺
Thanks man, I appreciate that. I was quite surprised to see how much lower they extend in sealed mode.
Happy new year! 🍻here's to a good '23!!🍻 I am a sealed sub guy. Started out with ported, inexpensive subs. I owned the SVS SB3000. Small form factor, really hit hard, with tight bass. The size is what sold me. Same with my SB4000. Mini cannon! Ported subs are much larger, sometimes not easy to place or hide. There is always a compromise, output vs esthetics. I now have a pair of PSA S1512 subs which are very capable, sound fantastic.
Happy New Year buddy! Those PSA subs of yours are perfect for your room, they do an excellent job pressurizing your room, even in the low octaves. I am a little jealous of your room sometimes because mine is open concept and can't really be pressurized the same way ;P.
Thanks Barrett!, Your JTR's are comming...me thinks that will be EPIC! everything else pales in comparison! Neighbors will be scared....@@SpecOfTech
Hey mate! You are the only person on TH-cam who made a video on sealed and ported mode ! I really appreciate it! I have a question ! I love music more than movies but I do watch movies a lot, but I can’t compromise on the musicality for sure! What will be good for me ? PB 1000 pro ( in sealed mode for music ) or SB 1000 !
Does PB 1000 pro performs as good as SB1000 in sealed mode for music!
Sorry, I haven't tested the 1000 subwoofers. But given the response from the PB3000 in sealed mode, I would recommend just getting the PB1000. That way you at least have the versatility. I don't think you would hear a difference between the PB1000 in sealed mode vs the SB1000.
I reckon it'll be a good idea if you did a video comparing sealed vs ported on the opening scene of edge of tomorrow and we get your options on that
Good video comparison, nice to be able to hear the difference,
I prefer sealed because I listen to music more than movies and hate pirt noise.
Now I wonder what be the difference between hearing a pb 3000 in sealed vs a sb 3000 sealed?
Maybe another video
That could be interesting 🤔
Keep up the good work
Really enjoy your videos
I've been to Barrett's home many times, mostly as a Guinea pig! Myself, like you I am a music first person. Having owned a SB3000, I prefer it over the ported model for music. To me it seems tighter and more accurate,. It does run out of gas at very loud volumes. I'm not into switching modes and port plugs when I am listening because I prefer sealed subs. Low extension for movies is great, 15hz no problem, again, runs out of gas at very loud volumes. For the $ it is excellent IMO
Thanks brother I appreciate that. I agree, that would be an interesting video, maybe one day!
@@Johnnytrades101 I thought about the sb 3000 as that is a great sub,
Presently use dual sb2000 and they seem to integrate real well with my Klipsch rp 8000 so I don't really know if it is worth the upgrade or will it drown out other frequencies in the song, what I do know is run them a little hot on set up if audyssey at 78 to 80 db
@@richardlaforte Truthfully, sound quality wise the difference wont be big. What will change is impact, and that solid punch that comes with more power on tap. Feel it in your chest without drowning out the higher frequency's. That ( for me ) makes music sound dynamic, and realistic.
@@Johnnytrades101 I was just listening to dausmas5 and reached a peak of 114 db, and that was at -14
Any louder there goes my hearing
Great comparison! What SPL were those demo clips running at? Curious what it takes to shake your room and everything in it, lol.
The PB 3000 is tuned to 16hz in ported mode. Using a Mini-DSP, Put a Hi-Pass filter at 17 Hz with a 48 db Butterworth slope. This should eliminate the port noise.
Sealed if you like tight resolving bass.
Nice review,I have the sb-3000 and I can't seem to get it dialed in the pressurize my med size room to get that punch in the chest feeling.What were your settings on the sub and receiver?
It's easy! If You want to get that "punch in the chest feeling" you have to add more dB at your target curve between 90 and 110 Hz!
Great job bro! Your 100% right!
😎👍
Thanks brother!
I upgraded my pb3000s to the 4000s through the svs trade up program. After doing so, I wish I would've stuck with the 3000s. I had a better response in my room with movies and music with the 3000s.
Do they offer a tradedown program? Lol
That's odd that you would experience a better response since their tuning is very similar. I guess you could always ask if you could tradedown.
If they had that as an option I definitely would have done it
So wouldn’t it be better to run sealed and just increase the gain back up to the levels you like? Or am I missing something?
The more you increase the gain, the less head room you have for dynamics. The sealed mode already has less peak output than the ported mode, so turning up the gain would reduce the headroom even further.
Absolutely.
Does PB 3000 has some kind of limiter/protection if you bring it to the limit
A slightly different question. I really loved amazing tactile bass from very near field subs (few inches behind the couch) but they are not practical with multiple rows.
What's your thoughts on having just one or two subs in the room for audible bass, and replacing the very near field subs with bass shakers for tactile feel ??
I get tactile bass from my two PB-3000 SWs in both rows of my theaters. They are roughly 6’ and 10’ away.
Question for you Spec of Tech:
Can't you buy another PB3000, but place it on top instead of opposite side of the room. Yes, running dual subs, but in a stacked configuration for that 6db added sound.
Run both stacked on sealed mode, get that extra 6db you were missing from the 16 hz to 38 hz region, but now you have an essentially super flat down to single digit with very high spl even in the 16 to 38 hz region?
Yes sir, if you stack them, you should get an extra 6db across the frequency range.
Since changing them to sealed in the app effectively just removes the limiter, did you happen to try measuring them in sealed mode but without the port plugs in? I know the risk would be overexcursion with certain content (especially that Edge Of Tomorrow intro), but I'd be curious to see how they perform.
No I didn't measure them without the port plugs, I would be worried about driver damage. I have already sold the PB3000, so I won't be able to do that experiment...sorry.
@@SpecOfTech No worries. Thanks for the response.
How would it sound with one sub ported and the other seal kinda like a 6th order bandpass that would be interesting
Am waiting for you to test the JL Audio Subs as a basshead 😅
There is much of a presence for those in my local city. I should contact JL and see if they would send one for review.
@@SpecOfTech for sure you should since its the "holy grail' for bassheads 😅..and it would be interesting to see the output for their smaller models which receive so much praise
My wallet hopes he doesn’t. He got me hooked on an AVM90. It’s everything he said it was, but I need to recover before JL Fathom sets a hook!
@@TubePowered 😂😂
@@TubePowered 😂😂
Hi brother I love your videos because am a Bass love 🤩 Kindly I would love to see SVS Ultra 16 inches vs Monalith THX 16 ULTRA. If possible olso JTR Double 18 Vs Monalith M215 please 🙏 please 🙏 I will very very grateful Torry from Uganda East Africa peace ☮️
gen rule music sealed, movies ported. sealed less clutter more refined at the cost of lower output. Or whatever sounds best to you in your room.
Am really curious what if you sealed only 1 port? A more balanced result i would guess?
SVS instructions state to seal both ports if you are going to use sealed mode
So if you wanted to have your cake and eat it too just get a sealed sub with higher wattage to make up for inefficiency? *edit: I just figured going dual was a given.
Thanks for your reply seaglance.I have my SvS app set for -15 and my settings in my Denon avr set for -4.5.I want to get good excursions on the sub. I don't want to push it past it's limits.I have all the demo 4k discs but I'm not getting the effects that I see and read on youtube
You're talking about the overall volume level. -15 is normal for a subwoofer. I have -12. No need to turn up the volume. Just use your receiver's equalization system or use the SVS app and add a few dB around 90-110 Hz. This will give you the effect of punching in the chest without overloading the subwoofers. I somehow added too much and in the movie John Wick 2 every shot was like a shot to the chest))
@@seaglance Thank you very much.I will put on some tracks or a movie.I am just afraid of blowing it.I live in an apt so I don't push it too hard.
@@christisdale9977 No problem! Write me down if you succeed or not)
@@seaglance Ok,I will I'm also reaching out to SVS
Question did you hear port noise from the X15?
Yes, but it is far less noticeable because it is a downward firing port.
@Spec Of Tech ok I have not heard it. What am I listening for so I can try and take notice 🤔
@@jamiesmith8307 Almost sounds like a flapping sound. Try to pay close attention to the sound coming out of the bottom of the subwoofer. Keep in mind you must be pushing the subwoofer close to its limits.
@Spec Of Tech ok ya I push them hard and I've never heard anything like that but I will listen to see if I can hear anything. Where it is a rounded port and not just straight on the ends it spose to reduce port noise alot. From what I read anyways haha.
To my hearings, almost all svs subs have high port and mechanical noise during load comparing to all other subs. I feel even velodyne dd sound very better than svs.
Everyone has their own experiences with them. I find that they are in the middle of the road for port noise, I have heard worse and I have heard better. SVS is on the lower end of the spectrum for price, the higher up the spectrum you go... typically the less port noise. That is generally speaking of course and not a hard rule.
@@SpecOfTech I wish you get more acoustically better subs and do more videos 🫰🏼
Svs is nice but rythmik is way better a fvx15 is less money and better than a pb3000 although your in Canada right so maybe rythmik doesn’t ship there ?
Rythmik does ship to Canada, but with the exchange, shipping and duties, it can add quite a bit to the price. Rythmik does make top tier subwoofers though...agreed.
The fvx15 is also a bigger driver, so not sure if thats a fair comparison.
@@ROBERT-ml7ml sure it is it’s in the same price range so it’s fair game Imo
@@danemoreno88 thats for the "base" model, only has a 400w amp, the svs has much more wattage. You'd have to bump up to the fv15hp wich has a more comparable amp, buts its about 2k.
@@ROBERT-ml7ml the pb3000 is good but it’s no match for rythmik on price and performance the base rythmik outperforms the pb3000 goes to 12hz where as the pb goes to 16
Very nice analysis! Have you ever done a comparison of the pb 3000 vs the Monolith 12"?
I haven't, but I have tried getting some Monolith subs for review with no success.
Ya I do that with both my pb16 ultra. But the jtrcaptivator ulf just makes them look like pussys in my 6 sub system!
which can shake your home?
1:29 דני קושמרו
Great info. Now I want to trade in my single PB 2000 Pro for two SB's.
Good for price,,, but jtr will make it look weak
JTR is a far better subwoofer, especially when focused on pure performance. That being said, they are quite a bit more expensive and should outperform this less expensive SVS. I have 3 JTR CAP2400's arriving this month, and I can't wait. I am also getting a Paradigm XR13 in for review, I am really excited for that one as well.
@Spec Of Tech you are getting your jtr back?
@@jamiesmith8307 Yes sir, I am getting 3 JTR CAP2400's.
@@SpecOfTech that what you had before?
You know I’m waiting on that XR13 review 😎
God bless you for doing this video it's a great video
Glad you found it helpful...cheers.