SB12-NSD - Black Ash - Outlet - 1681

I had been looking to upgrade my subwoofers for quite some time and finally decided to purchase during the annual Black Friday sale. It came down to a single SB-3000 or a pair of SB12-NSDs. I have a fairly small room (1600 cu. ft.), and having seen so many recommendations to use multiple subwoofers to even out responses across seating positions (here as well as other reputable places like Audioholics), I decided to try a pair of SB12-NSDs. After some playing with positioning, I have been able to get good bass in all seats. Now that I've had them running for about 3.5 months, I couldn't be more impressed. I've watched various movies such as the Avengers and the Martian and the added depth from these subs is great! There is enough bass to shake my couch in scenes such as the storm on Mars or Loki's arrival in the Avengers. But it also has the ability to get good definition and detail in the disco scene in Ready:Player One. The pair also perform well in music, giving great low end definition to all of the music I've thrown at it. I particularly enjoy the clarity on plucks of bass guitars and the impact of kick drums. Great thanks to the customer service at SVS, which was top notch and matched everything I had heard. The only downside is having to track down the little rattles I've found in my room when the SB12s hit a deep note.

I’ve had mine for over 2 years. I use it in a hi-res surround system in a room about 14x20. My speakers are large (all 5) and handle bass well below 50hz no problem, but the SB12NSD digs deep and gives me tight HiFi quality bass that adds a heft and weight to the presentation of the rest of the system, a gravitas as it were.

As a secondary use, I sometimes run it in a stereo configuration with just my main stereo speakers and an amp. I can run direct from my DAC/pre line out to the SB12NSD and run full range or high pass line level outputs to my amp direct, no digital processing, and sub in service. Sounds great and versatile. Best sub I’ve ever owned, and one of the best I’ve ever heard. No better value out there that I’ve seen.

I wanted to play this SVS subwoofer for 8-10 hours before sharing my thoughts. These days I tend to listen more to Classical than Rock, but playing Classical gave me just a hint to what was to come. However, over the last five or so hours I have run the gambit of all manner of rock. Pink Floyd, Doors, Linda Ronstadt, and finally, one of my personal favorites, Jackson Browne. The SVS SB12-NSD is mated with some really fine Audioengine HD3's desktop speakers.. With this setup I get to hear the range of Jackson Browne's wonderful vocals , through the HD3's, and some really nice thumping bass lines and kick drum from the SVS subwoofer. Clean, crisp and oh so happy to crossover for more kick! Many might think that this subwoofer is overkill, but for my money ($399), this is the best subwoofer I could afford. Size wise (14"X14"X14") gives you great bang of the buck, literally. I read all the specifications, but in the final analysis it's all about how it sounds. If you can still find these babies, you can't go wrong if your budget is limited, as was mine. Play loud and long my friends!