Paradigm DSP-3400 vs SVS PC12Plus

Ok.  I have tested both sub side by side on the 14th July 2010 in my friend's house.  My opinion on both sub is base on real life listening with only one calibration done on both the Paradigm DSP-3400 vs SVS PC12Plus i.e. setting the volume level to equal loudness using SPL meter.  No room adjustment or calibration is done during the test.  For the same SPL measured, my SVS volume level is set at half way at 12 while the DSP-3400 is set at only slightly above 10. 

Listening material used:

1. Eagles Farewell Tour 1
2. Finding Nemo - Darla Taps Tank (1:18:16) & Whale Spouting (1:12:04) 20Hz
3. Kung fu Panda: Fight between Po and Tai-lung & Po escape
4. Transformers: Ironhide Sweep
5. Golden Compass  during the Polar Bear fight & Airship entering city.
6. DTS Demo DVD - Omar Hakim - Listen Up

We tested by playing above with one sub and then replay it imediately with another sub so there are a lot of sub switching during the test.

For music, both subs gave very similar performance.  Its good to hear that the Paradigm DSP-3400 is not boomy just like the SVS PC12-Plus and both produce clean and tight bass.  It really very hard to tell any difference between the 2 subs.

For movies, most of the test materials I use really push the subs to its limit and both sub can handle what we throw at it.  Most of the people present prefer the SVS more as its seems to give more kick than the Paradigm.  However the Paradigm DSP-3400 is great sub too as it can handle all the above with room shaking bass too.  It just feel that the SVS dig slightly lower(maybe) therefore giving the feeling of more punch.

Overall I highly recommend the Paradigm DSP-3400 for its price and its performance.  The one we tested cost RM3800 vs the SVS PC12+ which retail for RM5400 in Malaysia.  Without a side by side comparison, you can hardly tell any difference in performance from the 2 sub so for those budget concious people, please do check out the Paradigm DSP-3400.  You won't be disappointed.

Their sub quite cheap but not sure how much for shipping. Also, if you want pro speakers, their Pro 10 is the cheapest you can get. Might get one pair to replace my surround back speaker as it can't match my front speaker efficiency.

Just off the phone with Mark 2 hours ago. Ordered a Seaton Submersive hopefully ETA Sep! : )

The only thing I am not so sure abt the Submersive is that for me I would require more inputs. The Submersive has only one mono input. For 2 channel stereo, you would need to use a SMS-1 that has that the required inputs/outputs to do what I want. Or you would need stereo to mono summing box.

I know one thing based on my listening the last few days, the DaliIkon Sub is just not going to cut it on its own. I need a better sub for sure. The F15 is a definately something to consider. The Seaton Submersive or the PB13-U is the holy grail (eD I think as well, but i'm not a diy person with wood..., soldering here and there and making simple circuits are ok, but wood....I doubt).

The new amps on the PB13U are also cool. I think I will stop saying good things about the Seaton as that would mean ron losing his exclusivity. This way we can all drool abt the Seaton.

Also on the HT bypass, there are some options like Odyssey Candela (tube amp with HT bypass), Parasound.. I am not too sure abt the USP-1 for now.