ebertdw

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Hawkeye Audio/Dealer

Summary:
It's been said that as a rule of thumb, any audio product that can accurately reproduce music, will have little difficulty sounding great for home theater. That is largely true for the Paradigm Reference Servo-15. But, is it worth the extra money to include in your home theater? Considering the large amound of music included on so many of todays movie soundtracks, my conclusion is a resounding yes!

The unbelievable accuracy and lifelike sonic purity of this sub will astound you. In the price range of $1500 to $5000 home subwoofers, this is the one to buy. Ten stars.

Strengths:
DEEP, POWERFUL, BOTOMLESS BASS DOWN TO 17 HZ OR SO. ACCURACY & INAUDIBLE DISTORTION LEVELS. BIG, THOUGH ATTRACTIVE CABINET.

Weaknesses:
ONE BIG MAMMA JAMMA. GIVE IT SOME ROOM TO BREATHE, TAKE MEASURMENTS.

Similar Products Used:
PARADIGM SUBS, PARADIGM REFERENCE

mjorgensen

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2985.00 from Local high end store

Summary:
I started out with the bass from a suite of Definitive 2002's in my HT so I felt that I needed a big jump to get better not more bass in my 23x16 ft theater. I struck a deal for three of these and placed them in the room. First let me tell you that the others are correct, nothing sounds good in the wrong location. I tryed multiple placements and used the x30's to try to tie it all togather and never really was happy. In the end I found the best place for mine were across the front of the screen and the center channel above them. I use the Def techs bass only on the 1/4 turn rule for the mid bass. After that I let the Servos work there magic. With the levels right and the distance from the frt wall at 42" they have a smooth and powerfull response. I don't need to overdrive them because I have enough pressure from the woofers so the bass is TIGHT.
I have had movies with bass that you never even knew was there scare the hell out of guests. And if you want really big grins just throw in the begining of "The Inside Man" and your vision will blur just a bit with the bass that most will never even hear!
I have tryed other subs over the years but this has to be one of the best all around enjoyable setups I have ever encountered.

Strengths:
When not over driven the bass is second to none!

Weaknesses:
Damn heavy while your place checking or un packing.

Similar Products Used:
Velodyne and Boston Acoustic

Mikey

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Audio Nirvana

Summary:
Wonderous and amazing subwoofer. Previously had a SVS 20-39 and was convinced by a dealer to take this home and try it. Walked, no stomped on the SVS in HT and in music. What had been a blob of low bass energy all of a sudden became notes NOTES! People that own these know just how good they are. Doubtful you could do better without having to spend much more money.

Strengths:
Speed, agility, sheer output.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
SVS 20-39 KSW-12 Mission AS700

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
What a sub!! 15" Servo, 400w RMS, and beautiful at the same time. Mine is the gloss cherry finish. My listening room is not very big, maybe 12' x 17', the sub pounds. No audiable distortion, and contrary to some other reveiws I've read, I can not hear the servo. The sealed encloser offers a nice tight bass response. I am very impressed with this sub cabinet so far. Coupled with 4 Paradigm Active 450 L/R, 2 Paradigm Active 20's and an Active CC, the system sounds awesome.

Strengths:
Beauty, and smooth bass response at frequencies below 20hrz. Plenty of power for any home application.

Weaknesses:
Requires quite a bit of space. No XLR in, only RCA. That is not typlical of other Paradigm Active Referance cabinets!!

Similar Products Used:
Only pro audio subs, Turbo Sound, Yamaha Servo, Adamson B218's, and S218s.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have had my Servo-15 in my home theater for almost 3 years now. The sub has performed flawlessly in all that time. It never draws attention to itself when used in to add low end grunt to my Studio 40's but can rumble the walls when setting and the movie demands it. A perfect companion to the Studio 40's; the Servo 15 blends seamlessly when listening to rock, vocals, jazz, or classical. Set a little more forward through my THX receiver this beast can rumble the walls and kick you in the chest during movies like The Matrix. I have the Light Cherry veneer which works very nicely with the Studio 40's and our high end entertainment center of the same finish. I would not hesitate to buy this sub again!

Strengths:
Speed, subtlety when needed, output when demanded, looks.

Weaknesses:
None!