SVS subwoofers

[Matias]

With the introduction of the new top of the line 17 Ultra range, they announced they are also working on a room EQ functionality in its already excellent app. Hopefully this feature will be available to all app-controllable subwoofers on their line.

Home Audio Speakers, Subwoofers and Cables | SVS

SVS builds speakers, subwoofers and audio accessories for music and home theater surround sound systems. Proudly engineered in Youngstown, Ohio.

www.svsound.com

Below Audio Advice's marketing video.

 

[Puddingbuks]

If they could sell their own calibrated svs microphone, or make use of a umik-1 (or iphone, would that be precise?) that would be fantastic..!

Really love my PC2000 Pro. Lots of punchy bass with little distortion (to my ears). Is now in use to ease the job the LS60 has to do, and create more ooomph in the sub bass. Clear improvement.

 

[Matias]

The video said it will work with external mics, so let's see if it is compatible with UMIK-1.

Love my SB3000 as well but when in ultimate silence I can hear a very very slight hiss in the background.

 

[staticV3]

Love my SB3000 as well but when in ultimate silence I can hear a very very slight hiss in the background.

Coming from the 13" woofer?
Did you put your ear next to it to make sure?

 

[Matias]

Coming from the 13" woofer?
Did you put your ear next to it to make sure?

Yes, with line inputs disconnected. But it is very very low in level, 99% of users would not care I guess.

 

[Hayabusa]

Yes, with line inputs disconnected. But it is very very low in level, 99% of users would not care I guess.

don't let the main's go tru the svs's crossover. it's mediocre sq wise..

 

[Matias]

I mean line level, LFE output from the AVR. Point is even without no external input it has a very slight hiss.

 

[ryaneagon]

I’m looking for two new subwoofers to replace my 20+ year-old Sunfire True Signature subs. While they’ve served their purpose, I’ve never been fully impressed with their performance for music, which makes up 60% of my listening (movies are the other 40%). Often, while listening to stereo channels, I’d turn them off and run my Polk R700s in full range since the Sunfires felt too boomy, even with ARC Genesis room correction.

I’m currently considering two sealed models: the Rythmik E15HP2 and the SVS SB17 Ultra. I prefer sealed subs, I don’t have the space for larger cabinets. I know either of these would be a massive upgrade. Still, I’m particularly intrigued by the Rythmik’s reputation for excelling with music—quick, tight, and detailed—while still delivering impressive performances for movies. Their measurements show they extend down to 14 Hz, and both models offer a very flat response curve with plenty of SPL.

I’ll say this: the SVS subs come with some impressive specs—dual 8” voice coils, dual mono amps (2800 watts), and a switch-mode power supply. That said, I’m not sure how much of that translates into real-world performance versus being more of an SVS marketing flex. The app, all the adjustable settings, and even the built-in auto room correction seem cool on paper, but I don’t think I’d use them since Anthem ARC Genesis will be handling the DSP in my setup.

My priority is something that integrates seamlessly with my system, providing the highest-quality playback for music (both 2-channel and 5.1 studio/live recordings) and enhancing the cinematic experience for movies. What are your thoughts on these two options? Does anyone have experience with either?

Accuracy is my top priority. I’ve tried everything to get the Sunfires to integrate seamlessly, but I’ve never been completely satisfied. I’ve adjusted placement, used REW with a MiniDSP, and relied on ARC Genesis. While these tweaks have helped somewhat, the subs still come across as boomy and lack the musicality I’m looking for, even with DSP. I’m hoping that upgrading to new subwoofers will be the solution. I’d love to hear about real-world experiences with both brands/models and see what others are using or recommending.

 

[Hayabusa]

I’m looking for two new subwoofers to replace my 20+ year-old Sunfire True Signature subs. While they’ve served their purpose, I’ve never been fully impressed with their performance for music, which makes up 60% of my listening (movies are the other 40%). Often, while listening to stereo channels, I’d turn them off and run my Polk R700s in full range since the Sunfires felt too boomy, even with ARC Genesis room correction.

I’m currently considering two sealed models: the Rythmik E15HP2 and the SVS SB17 Ultra. I prefer sealed subs, I don’t have the space for larger cabinets. I know either of these would be a massive upgrade. Still, I’m particularly intrigued by the Rythmik’s reputation for excelling with music—quick, tight, and detailed—while still delivering impressive performances for movies. Their measurements show they extend down to 14 Hz, and both models offer a very flat response curve with plenty of SPL.

I’ll say this: the SVS subs come with some impressive specs—dual 8” voice coils, dual mono amps (2800 watts), and a switch-mode power supply. That said, I’m not sure how much of that translates into real-world performance versus being more of an SVS marketing flex. The app, all the adjustable settings, and even the built-in auto room correction seem cool on paper, but I don’t think I’d use them since Anthem ARC Genesis will be handling the DSP in my setup.

My priority is something that integrates seamlessly with my system, providing the highest-quality playback for music (both 2-channel and 5.1 studio/live recordings) and enhancing the cinematic experience for movies. What are your thoughts on these two options? Does anyone have experience with either?

Accuracy is my top priority. I’ve tried everything to get the Sunfires to integrate seamlessly, but I’ve never been completely satisfied. I’ve adjusted placement, used REW with a MiniDSP, and relied on ARC Genesis. While these tweaks have helped somewhat, the subs still come across as boomy and lack the musicality I’m looking for, even with DSD playback. I’m hoping that upgrading to new subwoofers will be the solution. I’d love to hear about real-world experiences with both brands/models and see what others are using or recommending.

SVS has this stupid noise gate in all their designs it seems.
(Hopefully they abandoned it for the 17's? but in the 16's its still there)
It mutes audio when playing at low volumes and can not be defeated.
Depending on the music you play it can become very audible.

 

[Mort]

Rythmik’s reputation for excelling with music—quick, tight, and detailed

I have 3 F12se's and 2 SVS SB-3000s. There are very subtle differences in SPL and tuning with the system but properly tuned I doubt I could ABX them.

Biggest difference is the SVS app vs the traditional knobs.

 

[ryaneagon]

SVS has this stupid noise gate in all their designs it seems.
(Hopefully they abandoned it for the 17's? but in the 16's its still there)
It mutes audio when playing at low volumes and can not be defeated.
Depending on the music you play it can become very audible.

A noise gate? Weird. Do you know the point of this, or specific details on when/how the gate is applied?

 

[Hayabusa]

A noise gate? Weird. Do you know the point of this, or specific details on when/how the gate is applied?

It seems SVS designed this in to counter hum being audible.
I did contact Ed Mullen from SVS on this and he helped me to reduce the effect by setting the gain of the sub lower and increase the output level on my AV10 to compensate.
In this way its 99% of time ok, only at extreme low levels the noise gate kicks in.
Still I think its a design error and hopefully they rectified this in the new 17's.

 

[Willem]

Apart from the noise problem, and seeing that you are happy to consider big subwoofers and are very keen on a precise and clean sound, why not go for four smaller subwoofers? After all, the sound of subwoofers is largely or even almost entirely determined by the room, and four subwoofers will give you a cleaner response. If you really want ultra deep bass, you can combine one big sub with three smaller ones.

 

[ryaneagon]

Apart from the noise problem, and seeing that you are happy to consider big subwoofers and are very keen on a precise and clean sound, why not go for four smaller subwoofers? After all, the sound of subwoofers is largely or even almost entirely determined by the room, and four subwoofers will give you a cleaner response. If you really want ultra deep bass, you can combine one big sub with three smaller ones.

I’ve thought about that and ultimately decided on two larger subwoofers because of my living situation. I’ve also found that placing one sub up front and one behind me gives really good response in my setup. At this point, I’m ready to move on from these 20+ year-old subs.
What I’m really curious about are your opinions on both brands—customer service, build quality, sound quality—and whether you think I’d notice a significant difference between the two models. I know it’s a subjective question, but your insights could definitely help sway me one way or the other. Cheers!

 

[StefanSweden]

The video said it will work with external mics, so let's see if it is compatible with UMIK-1.

Love my SB3000 as well but when in ultimate silence I can hear a very very slight hiss in the background.

I had the exact same issue with my sb-1000 pro. My wife could barely hear it and it was all I could ever hear.

Contacted svs who pointed me to the hifi store. They took it in, replaced the amp and now its dead silent, even when I put my ear really close.

 

[Cogito]

My PB12 NSD has been running flawlessly for 12 years now. I have nothing but praise for SVS. Their repution for great customer service is among the best in the industry.

 

[poopy]

One of my SVS subs had audible coil whine noise. This could be very irritating.

I emailed SVS and they asked me to record the noise. I shared with them the recording.
One week later, I received a new amp by post for free. Sorted out.

Had the opportunity to meet with Ed in Munich. Easy to reach, very professional and knowledgeable. Their customer service is excellent. Can only recommend.

 

[thegeton]

I have an SB-1000 and SB-1000 Pro in 2 different systems and love them both. Got a nice price break and free shipping CONUS on each under different sales. Would definitely recommend them and will probably purchase from them again.

 

[Willem]

What I’m really curious about are your opinions on both brands—customer service, build quality, sound quality—and whether you think I’d notice a significant difference between the two models.

I am happy with my SB2000 (the two other subs in my system are a sealed B&W PV1d and a sealed Kef Kube 8b, so rather a mix). I never had any problems with my SB2000, but it is pretty large and ugly compared to the other two. So its sits in the front corner, behind one of my large main speakers (Quad 2805). It is the most powerful of my subs, and benefitting from the corner reinforcement it is responsible for the deepest bass (down to some 15Hz) in my large room, as per advice from Earl Geddes. Equalization is by MSO/miniDSP 2x4HD. This is as far as my experience goes, other than that I am convinced that subwoofer sound quality is largely a function of the room rather than the sub.

 

[Palmspar]

I have my sb2000 for 10 years its a good sub with the peerless xxls driver thy used for it.