SVS ASEQ-1 vs SMS-1 vs Antimode

[Jason]

I'm sure this has been discussed elsewhere to infinitum, but I'm feeling lazy today about digging thru avs.....


What are the main pros/cons of these various units? From what I can tell the svs is probably the best performance wise, but it lacks balanced inputs/outputs. Even the Velo only does a single balanced connection, so I can't run L/R signals to the sub(s).

The ideal solution for me would be something that can eq 2 subs, have balanced in/outs for every sub, and I really like the remote control that the velo has because of the WIDE variety of music I listen to to make adjustments from the chair.

Right now I'm leaning toward the sms-1 due to 1 cost and 2 remote control.

Thanks

[Ajax]

I've pondered this very question, too. Thanks for asking it. Looking forward to any answers we can get.

[madpoet]

The SVS is way superior to the SMS-1 in a room with difficulties. I've had and used both and still have the SVS. Unless you really need balanced (most people don't but I understand some do) I'd go with the SVS. The remote isn't that big a deal, since once you set it up you're done ;)

[Jason]

Thanks MP,

The remote for me is kinda important. All of my music is on my Mac. Huge differences in the music genres I listen to, along with varying recording levels necessitates fairly frequent sub level adjustments. They are small adjustments mind you, but there. Most of my electronica has very hot bass tracks that I like to tone down just a smidge. Then I go back to rock and it needs to be bumped up a couple/three db.

In my present room I don't have drastic problems (don't know how I lucked out on that), but my new room (hopefully new room) will be more challenging.

I think the deciding factor may be if I decide to add another sub. If I stay with a single sub the Velo may work fine.

[k_t]

I've used both the anti mode and the svs. For ease of setup and use, it's hard to beat the anti mode. Place mic in primary listening position, hit a button and wait a couple minutes - done. SVS is pretty much like running Audyssey in an AVR. Place mic, run measurement, continue. One cool thing about the SVS is that you can undo your last measurement(s) as you go which is useful if a car goes by or a dog starts barking.

My living room is a mess acoustically speaking and both did a good job. I think (subjectively of course) that the SVS sounds a little better and I like the fact that it has two sub outs and can eq and adjust phase on each. That may not matter though if you only run one sub or have them co located.

[Jason]

Well, I will only have 1 position to measure for. Or at least I think.....if there is just the one listening chair, is there any reason to measure other spots?

[JimP]

Sorry guys, but I'm going to have to disagree with you.

My experience with the SVS was that it missed a critical frequency and when compared to a REW chart, didn't flatten the frequency as well as the SVS graph would imply. I also found that it lobbed off the low end. Audibly, it also seems that it lowered the resolution of the subwoofer sound.

If you have a receiver/prepro that doesn't have dynamic equalization or an equivalent, you need to have some way of programming a house curve that you can do with the SMS-1 but can't do with the SVS. If anything, the more difficult the room is, the more I think you need the ability to tweak.

With this said, I use REW to calculate the filters then input them into the SMS-1.

Let the debate begin. :)

[k_t]

Well, I will only have 1 position to measure for. Or at least I think.....if there is just the one listening chair, is there any reason to measure other spots?

I could tell a difference between using the minimum number of measurement positions (3) and 16 positions on and around my couch. Past that I didn't notice much difference.

[Jason]

Well, things are moving forward on the house. Here's a shot of where I'm putting the 2 channel rig. I don't like the big window there, but hopefully some nice thick curtains will help. I will have diffusors to each side of the widow, and probably traps in the corners.

[k_t]

Sorry guys, but I'm going to have to disagree with you.

My experience with the SVS was that it missed a critical frequency and when compared to a REW chart, didn't flatten the frequency as well as the SVS graph would imply. I also found that it lobbed off the low end. Audibly, it also seems that it lowered the resolution of the subwoofer sound.

If you have a receiver/prepro that doesn't have dynamic equalization or an equivalent, you need to have some way of programming a house curve that you can do with the SMS-1 but can't do with the SVS. If anything, the more difficult the room is, the more I think you need the ability to tweak.

With this said, I use REW to calculate the filters then input them into the SMS-1.

Let the debate begin. :)

It depends on the room - how much room gain you have and how much you like to boost the bottom end.

It's true the SVS detects the -3db of your sub and will roll off from that point and you cannot add a house curve. The anti mode does have a selectable "lift" of 3db at 35 hz and another at 25 hz. It's also true that the simulated graph you see on the SVS is not what REW will measure at any one position.

I run the SVS first and then run MCACC on my pio elite without using pass through on the SVS. It helps bring a little house curve back and sounds better than the SVS alone.

I've never used the SMS-1 so I can't compare. For me, in my room, the SVS worked better than the anit mode or my MCACC by itself.

[Jason]

OK, so we're finally starting to move stuff in.

I've got most of the equipment in their general locations, and the single sub is making the right side of the image feel heavy. I guess that would be called localization. So I'm going to need to buy another sub. I haven't decided on what to do with the sub purchase yet, but would really like to consider a couple CS 18.1's.

Anyway, I purchased an SMS-1 from gonk here and am wondering how it handles 2 subs. I need to update the firmware as the subsonic filter can only go to 15 hz (totally unacceptable), and part of the update allows for daisy chaining sms-1's. Do I need a separate sms-1 for each sub in a stereo setup?