SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer (announced)

[HammerSandwich]

FWIW, this appears to use 8" Peerless SBS woofers. IOW, it looks just like a bigger version of the Kii's 6.5". Efficiency won't be high, Qts may not be low, but it will provide good Vd per $. And active/DSP design will let it kick butt in a small box. But don't be taken in by the audio sites, because the SVS is 35% larger than a 10" cube.

@Bruno Putzeys, an 8C-sized Kii4 with 4x of these plus a 4" Purifi mid & amps would be amazing. Sorry, I'm not personally about to drop 20k on 2x speakers, but that would be The One.

 

[Frank Dernie]

Sounds like, IIRC, Tyrrell's pursuit of a carbon-fiber transmission housing. Expensive & difficult to engineer, but it would allow you to relocate ~10-20kg ballast, because your car was already under the mass limit!

Apart from it wouldn't.
The weight saving of a well engineered composite casing was probably less than 5kg

 

[AverageJoeAudiophile]

Wonder how long until the lawsuits start to fly?

It's just a dual opposed subwoofer. There isn't any new in the design. Why would KEF care?

 

[AverageJoeAudiophile]

Looks like the old Sunfire:

View attachment 119020

Or the Pinnacle Baby Boomer

 

[don'ttrustauthority]

I wonder if the price will come down to around $500 at some point, and if so, how long it will take.

Never. They'll maybe have a cheaper model. If you want a $500 grab the 1000pro

 

[raistlin65]

It's just a dual opposed subwoofer. There isn't any new in the design. Why would KEF care?

Yep. KEF has no claim on the dual subwoofer market.

Anybody remember Epik's dual opposed internet direct subwoofers? The Empire and Legend we're extremely popular for several years. Even Steve Guttenberg liked them!

https://www.cnet.com/news/the-king-kong-of-affordable-subwoofers/

 

[RMW_NJ]

So just looking at SB-1000 Pro dimensions and it looks to be only a couple of inches bigger in each direction than the 3000 Micro. If one doesn’t need the absolute smallest form factor does anyone see any other benefits of the Micro over the SB-1000?

 

[prmfeddema]

I don't. If it weren't for my personal preference to have minimalistic size equipments i would be looking at SB-1000 pro or SB-2000 pro. Issue is that i simply want something smaller, in white with good sound quality. The tradeoff between the various factors is a subjective matter and might depend on whether is it full moon or not

Here is another q: someone mentioned that there were some electronic sounds coming out of the 3000 micro (hardly audible, could be an isolated case). What is the general consensus/verdict on this type of issue?

 

[More Dynamics Please]

... Here is another q: someone mentioned that there were some electronic sounds coming out of the 3000 micro (hardly audible, could be an isolated case). What is the general consensus/verdict on this type of issue?

"Someone?" You don't recall that comment was made in the Steve Guttenberg review you referenced?

 

[RMW_NJ]

Here is another q: someone mentioned that there were some electronic sounds coming out of the 3000 micro (hardly audible, could be an isolated case). What is the general consensus/verdict on this type of issue?

I have the regular SB-3000 and I do hear some “hiss” from the amp. I have heard similar from other people who own the 3000. In fairness, I have tinnitus and think I am more sensitive to hiss than most people are...and when playing music it’s not audible.

 

[ck42]

So just looking at SB-1000 Pro dimensions and it looks to be only a couple of inches bigger in each direction than the 3000 Micro. If one doesn’t need the absolute smallest form factor does anyone see any other benefits of the Micro over the SB-1000?

Am in the same boat. Was really close to pulling the trigger on the micro...but slept on it and decided that just a couple of inches on the x/y axis wasn't worth the extra $300 (don't care about the gloss finish or white).
My take on it is that you are paying the extra $ for something smaller that still gives roughly the same performance as the SB-1000 Pro. (Or $200 more if you wanted the black/white gloss of the SB-1000). I'd love to have that tiny box...but I'd much rather have that $300 in my pocket for some other gear.

 

[Trouble Maker]

So just looking at SB-1000 Pro dimensions and it looks to be only a couple of inches bigger in each direction than the 3000 Micro. If one doesn’t need the absolute smallest form factor does anyone see any other benefits of the Micro over the SB-1000?

@joentell made a really good point in his video that I want reiterate.
A few inches bigger in each direction is actually a significant increase in size (total volume).
KEF KC62 is 9.68in. x 10.07in. x 9.76in. = 0.55 cu.ft. (15.6L)
SVS SB 3000 Micro is 10.9in. x 11.7in. x 10.7in. = 0.79 cu ft. (22.4L)
Only about an inch bigger on each side but about 44% larger.
SVS SB-1000 Pro is 13.5in. x 13in. x 14.76in.= 1.5 cu.ft. (42.5L)
Which 2-3 inches larger on each side, but almost twice the volume of the SB 3000 micro and nearly 3x the volume of the KEF. Of course you'll pay in price and likely ultimate output especially at <30hz. But if you can fit two of these things in the right parts of the room, I can see the payoff being there for many people.

I want to be able to get two of the KEF, but I can't justify the price, or maybe the proper way to state that is I can't afford it. I think I can with the SB300 micro, and I was struggling to see where I would realistically put two of something the size of the SB1000 (was looking at Rytmik). I'm more than comfortable with the trade-offs to the 3000 micro, cost and performance* VS a traditional 10"/12" smallish sealed sub. Plus it means getting two of them into my space much easier. Maybe it' just me, but I'm feeling like they hit the price target for something like this on the nose.
*I'm still wanting to see Erin's results before I fully commit to that statement.

I need to get one more thing off of my chest. The SB 3000 Micro is not a 10" cube, in fact, it's almost the exact volume as an 11" cube. Grumble grumble, cruse words, marketing, more cruse words, get off of my lawn.

 

[Trouble Maker]

Am in the same boat. Was really close to pulling the trigger on the micro...but slept on it and decided that just a couple of inches on the x/y axis wasn't worth the extra $300 (don't care about the gloss finish or white).
My take on it is that you are paying the extra $ for something smaller that still gives roughly the same performance as the SB-1000 Pro. (Or $200 more if you wanted the black/white gloss of the SB-1000). I'd love to have that tiny box...but I'd much rather have that $300 in my pocket for some other gear.

Yup, it's always trade offs and what makes sense for one person probably won't for another.

 

[bo_knows]

@joentell made a really good point in his video that I want reiterate.
A few inches bigger in each direction is actually a significant increase in size (total volume).
KEF KC92 is 9.68in. x 10.07in. x 9.76in. = 0.55 cu.ft. (15.6L)
SVS SB 3000 Micro is 10.9in. x 11.7in. x 10.7in. = 0.79 cu ft. (22.4L)
Only about an inch bigger on each side but about 44% larger.
SVS SB-1000 Pro is 13.5in. x 13in. x 14.76in.= 1.5 cu.ft. (42.5L)
Which 2-3 inches larger on each side, but almost twice the volume of the SB 3000 micro and nearly 3x the volume of the KEF. Of course you'll pay in price and likely ultimate output especially at <30hz. But if you can fit two of these things in the right parts of the room, I can see the payoff being there for many people.

I want to be able to get two of the KEF, but I can't justify the price, or maybe the proper way to state that is I can't afford it. I think I can with the SB300 micro, and I was struggling to see where I would realistically put two of something the size of the SB1000 (was looking at Rytmik). I'm more than comfortable with the trade-offs to the 3000 micro, cost and performance* VS a traditional 10"/12" smallish sealed sub. Plus it means getting two of them into my space much easier. Maybe it' just me, but I'm feeling like they hit the price target for something like this on the nose.
*I'm still wanting to see Erin's results before I fully commit to that statement.

I need to get one more thing off of my chest. The SB 3000 Micro is not a 10" cube, in fact, it's almost the exact volume as an 11" cube. Grumble grumble, cruse words, marketing, more cruse words, get off of my lawn.

Hi,

Not sure if this is a typo:

KEF KC92 is 9.68in. x 10.07in. x 9.76in. = 0.55 cu.ft. (15.6L)

KEF KC92 is bigger than that.

You probably meant KC62, right?

 

[Trouble Maker]

Hi,

Not sure if this is a typo:

KEF KC92 is 9.68in. x 10.07in. x 9.76in. = 0.55 cu.ft. (15.6L)

KEF KC92 is bigger than that.

You probably meant KC62, right?

Yes, fixed it! I mixed up the KF92 and KC62 names, not confusing at all.

 

[More Dynamics Please]

I'd want to see complete independent measurements of both the 3000 Micro and SB-1000 Pro before assuming the only advantage of the 3000 Micro is its smaller size. But no testing is needed to see that the 3000 Micro is more accurately described as an 11" cube.

 

[prmfeddema]

"Someone?" You don't recall that comment was made in the Steve Guttenberg review you referenced?

Ah yes - that was him - have been reading a lot of different articles so i wasn't sure anymore. Not that relevant, i am just interested how electronic noises should be considered. Is it to be ignored? Is it to be considered as normal or is it to be considered a (potential) design issue?

 

[More Dynamics Please]

Ah yes - that was him - have reading a lot of different articles. Not that relevant, i am just interested how electronic noises should be considered. Is it to be ignored? Is it to be considered as normal, is it to be considered a (potential) design issue?

He only heard a faint "electronic" sound from the sub when he was down on the floor adjusting it with his ears next to it. Could be any number of things not necessarily related to the design of the sub. Let's wait and see what a more thorough review in a different setting reveals.

 

[Bobo77]

I have been looking into these small subs for purchase in the near future....I have a small apt and do not need a lot of boom....although I would like the boom to be tight and fast. Just my 2cents (I am NO expert), my take so far, if it were. I was very interested in the KEF...but was prompted by one of “us” to look into the SVS Micro. I watched Joe’s review (he covered both well, but only listened to the SVS)...and Steve’s reviews (one for each sub). I would call Joe’s excellent review the technical review....and Steve’s the emotional, experienced reviews. BOTH reviewers did and EXCELLENT job of informing me in different ways. BOTH subs are really good apparently. Steve was DEFINITELY partial to the KEF. He had that little twinkle in his eye when his said that it was fast and punchy....more so than the SVS....”for him”. Perhaps so...but the SVS has a LOT going for it too. The cost (if you by two from SVS you can have wireless stereo subs for the price of one KEF that is still not wireless if I am reading everything correctly)...The warranty on the SVS blows the KEF out of the water AND it would seem that the SVS APP is an embarrassment to the “hot shots” at KEF. Right....but....as a jack of all trades and master of none...I also have this observation....The KEF is smaller and weighs 33% MORE than the larger SVS (I am guessing that the dual use magnet must be huge?)....also...is has more power for smaller drivers than the SVS. So both those things make me think that Steve is correct when he says that the KEF is faster and punchier..... Hard to know...and guess the only real way to know would be to audition both in my living space. I guess that that is doable....but the price on the KEF seems to high to me....but I do not know what has gone into R&D and the manufacturing....easy for me to say.... It sure is all very interesting!!!!!

 

[Matias]

@Bobo77 go with the 3000 Micro and be happy. I would.