SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer Review & Comments

Discussion in 'Subwoofers' started by Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017.


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    1. Jul 19, 2017 at 9:29 AM
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
      #1
      Steve Withers

      Steve Withers
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      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
    2. Jul 19, 2017 at 9:35 AM
      IsaacJDean, Jul 19, 2017
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      IsaacJDean

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      Thanks for the review Steve! Looks to be quite a little monster. I love my SB-2000 but it shakes my room already so no need to even think about upgrading (yet). Maybe I'll get a second one :D
       
      IsaacJDean, Jul 19, 2017
    3. Jul 19, 2017 at 9:53 AM
      SonOfSJ, Jul 19, 2017
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      SonOfSJ

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      Greetings, Mr Withers! I won't be buying this splendid subwoofer, for lack of both money and space in my parlour - I just about have enough space for my SVS PC13-Ultra, a cylinder design - but it there any chance of your reviewing the SVS PB16-Ultra, which is a fair bit bigger and decidedly heavier than the SB16?
       
      SonOfSJ, Jul 19, 2017
    4. Jul 19, 2017 at 10:33 AM
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
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      Steve Withers

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      It's possible Ken, although I'm genuinely not sure I could actually fit the PB16-Ultra in my home cinema!
       
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
    5. Jul 19, 2017 at 10:35 AM
      IsaacJDean, Jul 19, 2017
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      IsaacJDean

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      You could always use it as a coffee table :D
       
      IsaacJDean, Jul 19, 2017
    6. Jul 19, 2017 at 1:05 PM
      SonOfSJ, Jul 19, 2017
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      SonOfSJ

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      @Steve Withers and @IsaacJDean Have a look at at post number 213 that I have just put on this thread SVS 16-ultra-series, especially the conclusion in bold type!
       
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      SonOfSJ, Jul 19, 2017
    7. Jul 19, 2017 at 1:09 PM
      raduv1, Jul 19, 2017
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      raduv1

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      Hi Steve I have the SVS SB2000 and it' punches well above it's weight in my small room with my B&W M1 5.1.2 set up . I actually chose the SB because of its pet ( cats ) friendly metal grill and I see this follows on that design.

      A couple of questions , are the SB 16 dimentions similar to the SB2000 ? And is this a significant upgrade over the SB2000 ?

      Cheers

      Ray.
       
      raduv1, Jul 19, 2017
    8. Jul 19, 2017 at 1:47 PM
      andybond, Jul 19, 2017
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      andybond

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      Not a criticism , just an observation ; why is weight marked as a negative ? Is neither positive or negative in opinion. I dont think it should matter what it weighs ?
       
      andybond, Jul 19, 2017
    9. Jul 19, 2017 at 1:51 PM
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
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      Steve Withers

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      You're right it isn't a negative from a performance perspective but I thought it wise to warn people that despite its relatively small dimensions, it is very heavy and will require two people to move it.
       
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      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
    10. Jul 19, 2017 at 1:54 PM
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
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      Steve Withers

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      The SB16 is quite a bit larger than the SB2000 and the performance is a significant step up, although it's obviously considerably more expensive as well.
       
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
    11. Jul 19, 2017 at 3:19 PM
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 19, 2017
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      It would seem that anything "big" or "heavy" gets that thrown against them in reviews and marked down for it.

      Maybe we all need small and light speakers and subs:rolleyes:
       
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 19, 2017
    12. Jul 19, 2017 at 3:34 PM
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
      #12
      Steve Withers

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      I've never marked anything down for simply being big or heavy.
       
      Steve Withers, Jul 19, 2017
    13. Jul 19, 2017 at 3:37 PM
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 19, 2017
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      My bad MR Withers.:hiya:

      It merely gets listed as a con.
       
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 19, 2017
    14. Jul 19, 2017 at 10:36 PM
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 19, 2017
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      Were any actual measurements taken for this (like with TV's), as I find it strange the sunfire xteq12 get such high praise, as mentioned within the review, yet the sunfire is a beast between 30-65hz and that's about it.

      One would have thought that REW or similar would be involved, rather than just ears. As usually the gear comes out to test TV's?
       
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 19, 2017
    15. Jul 20, 2017 at 8:16 AM
      Steve Withers, Jul 20, 2017
      #15
      Steve Withers

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      We don't take measurements with audio products but I'm not sure how useful they would be given that the room itself will have an effect and there are at least three different audio reviewers.
       
      Steve Withers, Jul 20, 2017
    16. Jul 20, 2017 at 8:20 AM
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
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      I can take your point on that Steve, although quite a few people could possibly like to see measurements?

      As said, i had a loan of the sunfire, and while loud it just was a boom box.

      Each to their own i guess, and why we can rely on the various owners threads for a more informed decision.:)
       
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
    17. Jul 20, 2017 at 8:52 AM
      Steve Withers, Jul 20, 2017
      #17
      Steve Withers

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      I'm not sure what you mean by informed decision but I merely suggested the Sunfire as an alternative, I didn't say it was better.
       
      Steve Withers, Jul 20, 2017
    18. Jul 20, 2017 at 9:35 AM
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
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      I mean that by associating the sunfire with the svs as an alternative one can only assume it performs the same/similar as the sunfire.

      By reading the dedicated threads which will more than likely contain measurement data which is non biased (manufacturer) and contain more input from multiple users it will no doubt help people make an informed decision rather than a review by one person.
       
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
    19. Jul 20, 2017 at 10:00 AM
      Steve Withers, Jul 20, 2017
      #19
      Steve Withers

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      Well they are both powerful sealed units but as you say it's only one individual's subjective view and personally I really liked the Sunfire when I reviewed it.
       
      Steve Withers, Jul 20, 2017
    20. Jul 20, 2017 at 10:01 AM
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
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      As with all things av Steve, people have different opinions, taste etc.:)
       
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
    21. Jul 20, 2017 at 7:04 PM
      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
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      Just for your info @Steve Withers here are the arc responses on the modest BK xxls 400 and the Sunfire Xteq12. Each sub was eq'd in the same position with the same conditions.

      Sunfire first then the BK

      Sunfire xteq12.jpg

      Bkxxls400.jpg
       

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      Deleted member 598831, Jul 20, 2017
    22. Jul 21, 2017 at 9:41 AM
      Zakblue, Jul 21, 2017
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      Zakblue

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      I would love to know how this sub compares to my MK X12 for HT and music.
       
      Zakblue, Jul 21, 2017
    23. Jul 21, 2017 at 10:00 AM
      AudioVisualOnline, Jul 21, 2017
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      AudioVisualOnline

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      I cant see it being better for music, for films it will have more low end output, but I'd be surprised if it was anything like as fast/accurate as the MK.
       
      AudioVisualOnline, Jul 21, 2017
    24. Jul 23, 2017 at 9:17 AM
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
      #24
      alex30

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      Speaking as one who went from one SB2000 to two SB2000, I would say go for it !
      It enables you to fill in those nasty dips in frequency that one sub often renders and gives you a much more even response. You do have to take care in positioning though so be prepared for a lot of experimentation with that.:)
       
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
    25. Jul 23, 2017 at 9:26 AM
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
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      alex30

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      Given that weight often is an INDICATION of quality components (think magnets in drivers and tank like cabinet construction) I think that weight should more often be taken as a positive.:thumbsup:
       
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
    26. Jul 23, 2017 at 9:42 AM
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
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      alex30

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      I get that but do you not think that outside groundplane measurements at say, two metres, would be reproducible by all three reviewers and would give a basis of comparison between different subs even though the in room response will vary widely .:)
      Whilst I'm on Steve, I have read in another review that the reviewer thought that one SB16 Ultra would perform better than two SB2000. I would think that going that route would constitute quite a gamble. With two subs it is so much easier to get more even coverage than with one, even given the usage of DSP. In any case a lot of people using two SB2000 will have them linked up to an AVR with DSP or use separate DSP. I find Audyssey XT32 (as in my Marantz 7020) to do a great job in this respect.
       
      Last edited: Jul 23, 2017
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
    27. Jul 23, 2017 at 9:59 AM
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
      #27
      alex30

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      Sorry, forgot to ask the question !:(
      What do you think , Steve, about one SB16 Ultra versus two SB2000 ? (or two of any type of decent sub )
       
      alex30, Jul 23, 2017
    28. Jul 23, 2017 at 3:11 PM
      Steve Withers, Jul 23, 2017
      #28
      Steve Withers

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      I agree with you, I'd be more inclined to go for two subs for exactly the reasons that you mention.
       
      Steve Withers, Jul 23, 2017
    29. Jul 23, 2017 at 11:26 PM
      Benzyl, Jul 23, 2017
      #29
      Benzyl

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      Do it I have 2 of them and once I got the setup right they just rock.
       
      Benzyl, Jul 23, 2017
    30. Jul 24, 2017 at 10:59 AM
      AudioVisualOnline, Jul 24, 2017
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      AudioVisualOnline

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      Two SB2000's will open up the potential for a more even in room response, but there are things the SB16 can do that the SB2000 simply cant, and using a pair wont make the difference up. If youre already getting a fairly smooth listening position response from a single sub, and this does happen, then the SB16 is going to be the better all round subwoofer. I would only really go the dual SB2000 route if you happen to have a fairly bad listening position response, but truth be told, you would really be looking at a pair of SB13's as the proper caparison to a single SB16.
       
      AudioVisualOnline, Jul 24, 2017
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