SVS, a leading subwoofer manufacturer, is pushing the excellence of its famous SB-16 Ultra and PB-16 Ultra models even further with the new Evolution series, which comes in two versions: the SVS SB-17 Ultra R Evolution sealed model and SVS PB-17 Ultra R Evolution bass-reflex model. Designed for the largest rooms, these extraordinary subwoofers feature an impressive 17-inch driver, a 25kg motorization, and an amplification of 2,800W RMS for ultra-powerful bass.
The sub specialist
Founded in 1998, American brand SVS rapidly established itself as the world’s leading subwoofer manufacturer. The brand’s models are just as popular for equipping hi-fi systems as home theater installations, thanks to the availability of both sealed and ported versions of each of its ranges. Sealed models are identified by the acronym SB (for Sealed Box) and include the SVS SB-1000, SVS SB-2000, SVS SB-2000 Pro, SVS SB-3000 and SVS SB-4000. Their bass-reflex version is designated PB (for Ported Box), and includes SVS PB-1000, SVS PB-1000 Pro, SVS PB-2000 PRO and SVS PB-3000.
In 2016, SVS shook the world of subwoofers with the 16 Ultra series, which naturally included a closed version, the SVS SB-16 Ultra and its bass-reflex equivalent, the SVS PB-16 Ultra. These two subwoofers have become benchmarks for the most discerning film buffs and audiophiles, thanks to the outstanding performance provided by their very large 16-inch (40.5 cm) driver. They have won countless awards from the specialist press, including an EISA Award, a “Hit Matériel” from Les Années Laser, and an innovation award at CES 2017.
17-inch driver
With the new SVS SB-17 Ultra R Evolution and SVS PB-17 Ultra R Evolution subwoofers, the brand is even more ambitious, incorporating a very large 17-inch (43cm) driver. Newly developed for these models, this driver adopts an ultra-rigid fiberglass composite cone to maximize power handling and limit distortion. It is mounted on a surround made of SBR rubber, ensuring very high excursion to maximize air displacement.
To power this driver, the SVS SB-17 and SVS PB-17 subwoofers use an extraordinary motorization system weighing over 25kg. It consists of a double 8″ (20cm) voice coil to simultaneously harness the power of the integrated dual amplifier. The driving force is maximized by four huge magnets to guarantee optimum control and ultra-precise bass reproduction. As a result, the SVS SB-17 Ultra R Evolution promises perfectly controlled bass down to 15Hz, while its ported version can go down to 12Hz thanks to its triple port and greater internal volume.
Double amplification
The use of an oversized driver requires an equally oversized amplification system. This features two separate 1,400W RMS class D modules capable of working in symbiosis to deliver 2,800W nominal power to the driver. The power supply uses switched-mode power supply (SMPS) modules with double-stage active power factor correction and filtering circuitry to ensure a perfectly clean and stable current supply to the amplifier modules.
Mobile app and acoustic calibration
The SVS SB-17 Ultra R Evolution and SVS PB-17 Ultra R Evolution subwoofers are true giants, measuring 50 and 63cm in height respectively, and weighing 56 and 74kg. This makes them ideal for large living rooms and home theaters. Installation is made easy by the mobile app for iOS and Android. In addition to basic settings such as volume, low-pass filter, phase and polarity, it is possible to manage the power supply and activate one of six presets. A memory function saves up to three different configurations, enabling specific settings for hi-fi and home theater listening. Better still, this new range will soon be able to use the microphone of the smartphone on which the app is installed to perform acoustic calibration, automatically optimizing the reproduction according to the room and listening position.
RCA, LFE and XLR inputs
The SVS SB-17 Ultra R Evolution and SVS PB-17 Ultra R Evolution subwoofer connectors remain unchanged, with an unbalanced RCA line-level input that can be switched to an LFE input, plus a balanced XLR input. They can therefore be easily combined with any hi-fi amp or AV receiver equipped with a pre-out or subwoofer output. In addition, RCA and XLR outputs can be used to chain a second subwoofer. Last but not least, the subwoofers can be automatically activated when a signal is received, or via their trigger input.
With the new SVS SB-17 Ultra R Evolution and SVS PB-17 Ultra R Evolution subwoofers, the American manufacturer has perfected its latest models to offer supercharged subwoofers for both discerning music lovers and movie fans. Both models are now available to pre-order on Son-Vidéo.com, priced at €3,549 and €4,199 respectively.
