Keep SVS SB16 or change to REL S5 music only

After owning several SVS subs I think they're great for HT,  but not for 2-channel. I owned the SB13 Ultra and SB 16. I changed back to a JL Audio  F112 v2 and to my ears it has better, more articulate and defined bass. I recently switched to a REL Carbon limited sub, but I'm having problems with it being connected to my Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier. 

How is the sound SVS campare to REL? 

I’ve had the same experience. I recently had an SVS PB 12 / 2 plus and it was an absolute monster.  Weighed 140 (?) pounds.  Could barely move the damn thing.  It sounded good, had all kinds of power and was pretty tight sounding.  

REL (T9i / Shmiko S9) has far more finesse.  I prefer REL and am actually becoming a REL fanboy.  They just disappear, widen the soundstage and clean up the mids and highs noticeably.  If I had an extra $1000 right now, I’d probably buy 4 Sumiko S.0 and set up a swarm...

I think that you may prefer REL over SVS.  I don’t want to take anything away from SVS because I think they build great subs, especially the higher end stuff like the SB 16 and SB 13 Ultras, but from what I’ve experienced, REL is so subtle and refined with finesse. I have only used the descriptive “finesse” with REL... didn’t really know what finesse was until I got a T9i.

Personally we would recomend instead upgrading the loudspeakers.

The change in sub will not gain you much, a Rel is generally a tighter sounding sub then the SVS.

We have the SVS Ultra 13 on the floor to try it out it was a trade in and it was a bit on the slow and boomy side, but it did move alot of air.

Other subs from Paradigm, and a few others were better for music.

However with that being said after looking at your system, the weak link is the B&W CM 10, going to a large speaker with deeper bass will sound way better and the sub will only have to add very little to increase that speakers bass output.

So by upgrading the speakers you will make the subwoofer integrate better, and you can increase the system's overall performance greatly.

Just food for thought.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

You could also try changing the placement or PEQ settings of the SB16-Ultra. There's a fair chance it sounds boomy because of placement.

The EQ is the thing.

Not all speakers integrate well with a subwoofer. You might be better off not using a subwoofer with the B &W! You might be spinnin' your wheels changing to another sub!

You know, I think Erik is probably right.  I imagine the SVS SB16 could be tight and musical if set up properly, which can be extremely difficult I imagine.  

Do you have someone who could maybe help with set-up?

I'm a little surprised that Audiotroy found the SB13 Ultra to sound slow and boomy. I'm using a pair to augment my Wilson W/P system, and they are extremely fast and tight. I can see how a 16" might not be as musical.

I have 4 PSB T3's plus a C3 center in a 5.1 system I use for both movies and 2 channel music. The REL S5 SHO helps to create a palpable sense of space that is full of subtlety and layers that substantially elevates my listening experience. 

Recommended. 

I have now changed out the Svs sb16 to the new Rel S812 and wow what a difference! The Rel sub is miles better to music, it dont make the same pressure on electronic music but all other music feels mutch more a live now and not sounds boomy. 

n_brio,

That's great that you like the RELs. I've owned SVS SB13 ans SB16, dual JL Audio F110s and a single F112 v2,  HSU, Martin Logan Depth i, and now dual REL Carbon limited subs. I agree with b_limo, "They just disappear, widen the soundstage and clean up the mids and highs noticeably." I actually prefer JL Audio for HT, but absolutely love my RELs for 2-channel.

Im only listen to music and having a SVS SB16. And i think its a little boomy sometimes. Maybe its the settings that are not dailed in.

n_brio09-14-2019 7:08am

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Nice to hear you found a satisfying presentation.
Was this the SVS SB16 Ultra?
Did you find the SVS setup procedure overwhelming or simply inadequate to dial in your desired tone?