SVS Model 20-39CS Subwoofers

SVS Model 20-39CS Subwoofers 

DESCRIPTION

Passive Subwoofer o Power handling, 300 watts RMS. 4 Ohm load. o 20 Hz tuning point o +/- 3 dB 20 Hz-80 Hz o 39" tall Optional Subwoofer Amp Price includes shipping.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 31-40 of 49  
[Jul 18, 2001]
Rob
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

DEEP, clean bass!

Weakness:

None

I can't add much to what has already been said. This sub is in a different league from my M&K. I really never new what was meant by clean bass but I do now. It blends with my system better than I could have ever imagined. The M&K was very strong in the 35hz and up department but below that the SVS leaves it behind. The bass from this thing sneaks up on you because it so subtle when the sound track calls for it and then BANG! it hits like a ton of bricks when called upon. So far it seems very musical as well although I have not auditioned a lot of music yet.

I purchased a SVS B-stock 20-39 and a B-stock Samson 700 amp. The amp is a very nice and quiet amp. I will be adding a second SVS just because I hate to see the other channel go to waste.:^)

All in all, a great bang for the buck sub. I have never heard better.

Similar Products Used:

M&K V-125
Auditioned many M&K's and others.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 18, 2001]
Craig Ball
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Hard Hitting fast solid bass that you can really feel!!

Weakness:

Maybe the binding post if you want to use straight bannana plugs.

I'm running a pair of 20-39CS w/the Samson S700 amp witch puts out 350WPC @ 4 ohms a side. I've auditioned a lot of speakers and after reading all the hype on the home theater forum about these subs and the 45day money back guarantee I took the plunge. I ordered one originally and was really impressed at how fast the bass was, there was no boomy mushy bass even with music. This sub is outstanding! I recently added a second and know the IMPACT I feel when the bass hit's is incredible, I've already had to bluetack all my wifes plates down so that they won't fall on the floor.

I'm going back through all my old DVD's and expieriencing bass I didn't even no existed. I'm running them wiith Klipsch KLF-30 Mains, KLF-C7 center, KSP-S6 surrounds, and KSB 1.1 front effects.

I know $1300 sounds like a lot of money but I've never heard a sub or should I say felt a sub with such Impact at twice the cost. If you want a great sub with a 45 day money back guarrantee and excellent customer service even after you have bought the product, look no where else than SVS the BASS AUTHORITY.

Craig

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch KSW 10 and 12
Infinity BU1

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 18, 2001]
Anthony
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

versitility, cust service, extension

Weakness:

height could be for some

I bought a pair of 20-39CS subs in Sept 2000. They came from
the first production batch from SVS so it was somewhat of a gamble at the time. I've tried a bunch of different amps
(ATI 1505, Marantz MA700, Cinepro 1K2, QSC MX1500) and though they all work well I firmly believe 500+ wpc pro style amp is the way to go. I use one in each front corner
and they are incredible for both HT/music. I would say they
excel most for HT. It is important to find the best location
in your room for best performance, experimentation worked the best for me. They are (along with nOrh) equal to the best value in audio and far better than anything in their price range or probably double their price. I can't imagine anyone not being extremely impressed by everything about SVS
and their subwoofers.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 18, 2001]
Terry Flink
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

clean, tight bass that you feel

Weakness:

none

Replaced my aging Def Tech sub that was experiencing "power problems". Had an Adcom amp laying around and opted for the cylinder series. What a difference. The THX demos never sounded so good. Bought my Outlaw amp online and that was the best HT purchase till this one. Hearing is believing, but makes sure you calibrate.

Similar Products Used:

Def Tech PF1500

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 30, 2001]
Jeff L
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

low end,price,looks

Weakness:

none at all

This is a great product for people who do not want to spend a lot of cash but still get an awesome performer.This sub really performs well in both ht and music.It is built like a tank but still looks very good in my setup. It really blends in very nice with my mains and is very non directional.Trust me you will love this sub it is fantastic.Go over to home theater forum for more great reviews and info.

Similar Products Used:

definitive technology

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 30, 2001]
Jeff L
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

low end,price,looks

Weakness:

none at all

This is a great product for people who do not want to spend a lot of cash but still get an awesome performer.This sub really performs well in both ht and music.It is built like a tank but still looks very good in my setup. It really blends in very nice with my mains and is very non directional.Trust me you will love this sub it is fantastic.Go over to home theater forum for more great reviews and info.

Similar Products Used:

definitive technology

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 11, 2001]
Justin
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clean, deep, distortion free bass

Weakness:

Very big (but nice looking)

I originally intended on using an old 100x2 Sony stereo receiver to power this sub. However, the amp would overheat after only a few minutes would automatically shut down. I decided to get the Samson S700 that SVS recommends. I searched around on the net for a while and found the amp for $339 (plus shipping) at www.musiciansbuy.com.

The amp arrived about a week later, and after buying the correct adapter at radioshack, began setup and calibration. I was having trouble achieving the correct calibration level, so I sent out an email to Tom at SVS at about 10pm (PST) on a friday night. I received a detailed response in 3 minutes! I was completely amazed at the quality (and speed) of customer service. Following Tom's recommendations, I have the S700 turned up to full volume, and the sub output on my receiver to "-3"(80dB calibration).

This sub is a drastic change from my last sub, which was incredibly boomy. The SVS is so clean, and can handle even the toughest soundtracks with ease. The sub really shines in the home theater setting, I am finding new depth in every dvd I watch. Someday I may add another SVS (so as not to waste the extra channel of the Samson), but for now I am very happy with my purchase and highly recommend it.

Similar Products Used:

Velodyne, JBL

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Aug 11, 2001]
Matt

Strength:

Amazing Bass/Price
SVS Customer Service, attention to details (shipping)

Weakness:

Size/Looks (spouses - I think it's beautiful!)

This thing is truely amazing. Does it crank out the goods as promised! Tight, clean strong bass is a beautiful thing. I have mine powered by a JVC RX-884 and it does a great job for both HT and movies. Looks great.

Special note about the packaging of these units, SVS really does a great job taking thier time to ensure a safe delivery of your unit. It comes in a custom designed foam packageing that is really impressive....Great job SVS.

Also, Tom V and Steve S are full of mountains of information and reply extremely quick to any questions or concerns. Customer Satisfaction certainly seems like a very high priority.

Best Advice: BUY SVS

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 18, 2000]
Reg
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Small footprint; sleek look, build quality, performance, value, customer service

Weakness:

Waiting time, awkward positioning of binding posts, height, needs additional amplfication

BACKGROUND
After reading such glowing reviews here and on other forums, I decided to take a chance with the SVS company and their factory direct cylindrical subwoofers.

My order took about a month to process but once it arrived, I was very impressed by the packing condition of the sub. Fedex shipping was included with the price and I was always kept up-to-date about the status of my order but waiting was tough.

They have a money-back satisfaction guarantee (less shipping) if you don't like it. I have only heard of one person not like this sub on another forum and that was because it wasn't "boomy" enough. Read between the lines yourself; but to each his own I guess.

BUILD QUALITY
I was very impressed with this sub's build quality. It was covered head to toe with a beautiful "sock" that gave it a very high-end look. It stood nearly four feet high and about a 16" diameter; so it has a very small footprint for easy placement though it will be visible wherever you put it which may or may not be a good thing depending on your spouse/significant other. It felt pretty sturdy when I moved it around, though not so heavy that I overly strained to lift it.

SETUP
I connected the 20-39CS to a Marantz MA-700 monoblock. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't use banana plug type connectors since there is not enough room between the base and the speaker binding posts. This was a minor issue for me. I set the MA-700 to the THX level for amplification and began to move the sub around looking for the best location. Oddly enough, the best position for my room was slightly to the left of the sofa but away from any walls. This is VERY different from the location of the Paradigm Servo 15 which sat in the front of the room slightly left of the TV. After using both AVIA and VE for calibration purposes I was on to my listening.

PERFORMANCE
When listening to music crossed over at 80Hz, the default setting for the preamp section, the 20-39 provided smooth bass without sounding boomy. It had very good if not reference musical pace. I like the sound of my Servo 15 only SLIGHTLY more in music but that sub costs over $1500 and I paid only slightly more than half that price when I add in the cost of the MA-700 amp. Admittedly, I usually listen to my front speakers full range anyway.
Once I put in a couple of reference DVDs, I began to miss my Servo 15 less and less if at all. Listen to the Toy Story 2 DVD and you'll know what I mean. From the ominous rumblings and *thump* in the Monster Inc. sneek peak to Chapter 16 (crossing the street to Al's Toy Barn) to the final foundation tearing scenes with the airplane, every LFE sound effect sounded seemless and real. Other DVDs can literally scare you out of your seat when that low bass information kicks in. I have been told that this sub can reach near reference levels but would never know since I never listen to my movies THAT loud but I can say I don't feel like I miss anything even at normal listening levels.

CONCLUSION
I have only heard of one person not like this sub on another forum and that was because it wasn't "boomy" enough. Read between the lines yourself; but to each his own I guess.
If you are looking for a very good musical sub and one of the best home theater subs, it is hard to look further than this one without spending AT LEAST two or three times more. The value is a given five stars and if you consider any subs in this price range; there simply is NO competition. At this price range you can get two SVS; I only needed one but will buy another one without hesitation if I move into a bigger room.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Servo 15.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 05, 2001]
Gavin McCullough
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clean, Flat Bass....Moves a LOT of air...great for Music and HT

Weakness:

Big (but pretty)...may weaken the foundation of you home

what more can i say that the others haven't??...the people and replies from SVs are fast and complete....great customer service...the sub was packed for a nuclear war--i will have bubble wrap for the next 5 christmas'. the sub is large, but i personally think it is quite good looking---wife thinks it is big and loud (she is right)...the sound was amazing for me...very clear, clean bass...and this thing moves a ton of air....i first tried it when the wife and kids were outside, 30 feet from the house in a running hot tub...i only got 2 minutes into chapter 16 of Titan AE when one of the kids was banging on the door with a fearful look in her eyes...seemed that first they thought a thunderstorm was coming in...but the sky was clear...then they thought it was an earthquake because they looked over and the glass door to the house was deforming in and out...then they realized that it was just me with my new sub.....it sounds great with movies and music...really fills out the sound when i listen with just the mains or the mains and center....have found a sub that has cured me of up-graditis (at least i don't want another or better sub---still need new TV, Mains, DVD player etc...but i'm set as far as subs go....if i need more than this puppy can put out i will also need a stronger foundation for my home)...in conclusion, wonderful sounding, extremely clean and powerful bass---best deal for the money and a piece of equipment i have absolutely no plans of replacing...can't say enough about it...g

Similar Products Used:

replaces an Altantic Technology 262--was nice, but the SVS blows it away

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 31-40 of 49  

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