SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer Review & Comments

[Steve Withers]

SVS's new SB16-Ultra combines a 16-inch driver and sealed box design with three key innovations to deliver their best performing subwoofer to date.
Read the review.

Write your own review for SVS SB16-Ultra

 

[IsaacJDean]

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

 

[SonOfSJ]

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?

 

[Steve Withers]

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?

It's possible Ken, although I'm genuinely not sure I could actually fit the PB16-Ultra in my home cinema!

 

[IsaacJDean]

I'm genuinely not sure I could actually fit the PB16-Ultra in my home cinema!

You could always use it as a coffee table

 

[SonOfSJ]

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?

It's possible Ken, although I'm genuinely not sure I could actually fit the PB16-Ultra in my home cinema!

You could always use it as a coffee table

@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!

 

[raduv1]

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.

 

[andybond]

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 ?

 

[Steve Withers]

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 ?

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.

 

[Steve Withers]

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

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.

 

[Deleted member 598831]

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 ?

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

 

[Steve Withers]

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

I've never marked anything down for simply being big or heavy.

 

[Deleted member 598831]

My bad MR Withers.

It merely gets listed as a con.

 

[Deleted member 598831]

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?

 

[Steve Withers]

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?

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.

 

[Deleted member 598831]

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.

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.

 

[Steve Withers]

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.

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.

 

[Deleted member 598831]

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.

 

[Steve Withers]

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.

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.

 

[Deleted member 598831]

As with all things av Steve, people have different opinions, taste etc.

 

[Deleted member 598831]

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

 

[Zakblue]

I would love to know how this sub compares to my MK X12 for HT and music.

 

[AV Online]

I would love to know how this sub compares to my MK X12 for HT and music.

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.

 

[alex30]

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

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]

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 ?

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.