Upgrading sub to get a live feel.

Tim,

I forgot to mention, you can’t respond.  That way I get the last word and the OP doesn’t abandon the thread (assuming he hasn’t run for the hills already).   

Cary

:)

If the OP has the budget, bigger is better. It's a good thing to have headroom. Again though, I would suggest that we let him try out the subs he has already ordered (and can return) and see what he thinks for himself. 

Hello mcreyn,

       Between you arguing for the ability for mega-bass at arena rock volume levels in his living room and me arguing for very high quality bass at less masochistic volume levels, I believe thewatcher101 will understand his options and decide for himself.  
     To be fair, I wanted to point out that running subs well within their limits is definitely beneficial, mainly lower distortion, a sense of ease to the bass and ample power reserves  for powerful bass dynamics.  
     For balance, I wanted to also point out that my Swarm system, with four 4 ohm passive (not self amplified) subs each consisting of a single 10" long-throw driver in a 1'x1'x28" cabinet that are all driven by a single 1K watt class AB amp connected in a series-parallel configuration, operates well within its limits, provides low distortion bass with a sense of ease and ample power reserves for powerful dynamics with the volume control set at the 11:00 o'clock position, a bit less than halfway.  In the four years I've used the Swarm, I've honestly never perceived the bass as being not loud or powerful enough on either music or H T. I perceive the bass output as consistently high quality, powerful, dynamic, with not only a sense of ease and naturalness but also a sense of unlimited capacity no matter what volume level is chosen on the Oppo's remote. 
     I could be wrong, but I currently believe a 4-sub DBA consisting of a pair of PB-1000 and a pair of SB-1000 self amplified subs is likely capable of performing just as well, provided the OP wasn't referring to hearing loss inducing volume levels when he mentioned "upgrading sub to get a live feel". 
     You are now welcome to the last word as we await watcher's verdict.




  

I am going to be a live feel, not actual live music db. 

Be patient. 

Hello watcher,

     I think you meant to say "I’m going for a live feel, not actual live music dbs."
     If so, I’m very glad to hear that since you’ll likely be more inclined to really enjoy the bass performance of your new custom 4-sub DBA system consisting of your two existing SB-1000s and the two new PB-1000s.
Mcreyn was right about the bigger and more expensive Seaton and JL Audio subs producing even deeper, louder and more powerful bass than the SVS-1000 series subs are capable of.
    However, I believe mcreyn’s knowledge and experience on subs is more slanted toward HT usage like many of the members on the AVS website that put more value on the size, bass extension, room shaking capacity and maximum deep bass db level ability as signs of a sub’s quality. In general, Audiogon members knowledge and experience on subs is more slanted toward music usage and they put more value on the sound quality and seamless integration with the main speakers as signs of a sub’s quality.
     Mcreyn’s suggestion that you need subs with a capacity to output deep bass down to 20 Hz at a volume level of 115 dbs to match the max output of your JBL main speakers was ridiculous and an obvious clue that his priority is not high quality music reproduction, which I believe your main priority is.
    I’ll continue to monitor this thread just in case you need assistance but I realize it may take a month until you have your new custom 4-sub DBA up and running.

Later,
Tim