SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer Review

SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer

SVS SB16-Ultra

5/5

With deep, fast bass and a gorgeously crafted cabinet, the SVS SB16-Ultra offers reference quality lows that integrate seamlessly thanks to its handy app-based DSP controls. Some port noise at extreme volumes and a high $2299 price may limit appeal, but overall it delivers powerful, clean bass in an attractive package.

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Introducing the SVS SB16-Ultra! Two years ago if you had asked any home theater enthusiast to name the top subwoofers on the market, you would likely have heard reference to the JL Audio Fathom F113, perhaps a Velodyne, and the venerable SVS SB and PB-13 Ultra, and for good reason. SVS’ former top of the line products were well known for providing punishing amounts of bass at a price far lower than JL’s Fathom F113. As of last year SVS has launched their new flagship, the 16-Ultra series,  which includes the sealed SB16-Ultra and ported PB16-Ultra. The 16-Ultra series are a fundamental refresh of SVS’ most iconic product. This refresh brings with it a plethora of new technology and innovations in addition to some fantastic aesthetic changes. I was happy to have SVS offer to send over the sealed variant of the 16-Ultra series, the SB16-Ultra for a test drive in my system.

In terms of major updates to their product, SVS has released a brand-new custom designed 16” driver with this series that features an 8” edge wound voice coil, the largest you’ll find in a consumer sub. They paired this with a significantly upgraded amplifier vs the previous Ultra series that has much greater output capability. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, SVS has released an app for both Android and iOS that allows owners to manage subwoofer configuration, including levels, crossover, polarity, DSP based EQ curves and presets from the comfort of their couch. The app connects to the SB16-Ultra via Bluetooth, and quickly becomes an indispensable tool that I find myself wishing all subwoofers had.

SVS Mobile App

 

The SB16-Ultra arrives in a very large box, that SVS has obviously put some serious thought into. The box is clearly labeled to assist with both orientation and opening instructions. The box opens on both sides, allowing the sub to be pushed out of the box on its foam sleds, and easily ettled into position with a minimum of risk to happy bass heads’ lower backs.

 

SVS SB16-Ultra Controls close up

 

Design & Build Quality

Pulling the SB16-Ultra out of the box, it is immediately obvious that this is a very sexy subwoofer. The piano black finish is flawless, drawing attention to the chamfered LED control panel on the top of the front panel and right beneath it the new 16” woofer. The woofer itself is clearly a new material, no longer sporting the flat cone of old and replaced with a fiberglass resin composite that looks like carbon fiber.

The sub includes a very attractive grille for the front and a remote, though the remote is about as plain as it gets since most owners will be using the app.

In terms of build quality, the SB16-Ultra is clearly built like a tank. The knock test which will sound hollow on standard half-inch MDF sounded more like hitting a granite counter top than a subwoofer. Weighing in at almost 145 pounds, this is unquestioningly a heavy duty piece of audio engineering.

The new 16” woofer itself is also clearly of high quality, with a very robust surround that is obviously engineered to handle a significant amount of excursion.

SVS SB16-Ultra driver

 

The amplifier included in the SB16-Ultra is SVS’ new 1500W Sledge Class D amp, with peak power delivery of close to 5000W. The connections on the rear are high quality and logically laid out. SVS’ included power cord is of a thick gauge, so there should be no bottleneck getting plenty of current into this monster when it needs it.

Upright SVS SB16-Ultra RearInside SVS Sledge Amplifier

 

Setup & Calibration

Setting up the SB16-Ultra was much easier than usual, due to the fantastic packaging materials. As a result, moving the subwoofer into my sweet spot took all of five minutes, with an additional 10 minutes to get the packaging material off, get everything cabled up and prepare for calibration.

Calibration was performed using Audyssey MultiEQ XT32 Pro on a Marantz AV8802A processor. I used my pro kit to measure in 10 positions around the listening area, and selected the standard target curve.

After this was completed, I used my Galaxy SPL meter to fine tune levels (I typically like to adjust my subs up by 1.5dB and slightly tweak center channel and surround levels.

 

Listening Tests

B-Tribe Volume 5 and 6

I evaluated the SVS SB16-Ultra using a combination of music and movies. I began with music, listening to B-Tribe’s Volume 5 & Volume 6 albums. Two entries that have amazing recording quality and plenty of deep bass. The SB16-Ultra immediately impressed me with its speed, handling transient low strings with aplomb. The track Agua Azul on Volume 6 has an excellent plucked bass line that frays quickly with poorly designed for calibrated subs. When a sub is capable of extremely articulate bass reproduction, the plucked bass notes decay much faster giving a sense of impact that is easily lost on less resolving systems.

I followed this track up with Sin Alegria, a much darker song that features an incredibly deep bass/drum sequence that repeats throughout the chorus. The SB16-Ultra dug deep, filling my room with visceral bass while also demonstrating its tight control and excellent transient response. This is perhaps the most intriguing part of the SB16-Ultra – its speed and tactility. Only a handful of subs have this quality, but the difference is both heard and felt. Instead of bass that booms, this is bass that hits, and it hits hard. The best subwoofers all seem to have this in common, blending into the sonic background in such a way that the integration between your main speakers and subwoofer is nearly seamless, while demonstrating the speed and “tightness” in bass reproduction that we all desire so much.

Passengers and Warcraft 4K Blu Ray Cover

Moving on to films, I started off with the UltraHD Blu-ray of Passengers, which features some great LFE in the opening sequence. As the vessel begins to activate the shields to absorb more asteroid impacts there is a wave of bass that builds to extreme intensity before quickly dissipating. The SB16-Ultra once again showed its raw power here, coming out of nowhere to rattle my room and pressurize the space.

I wrapped up my film evaluation with the UltraHD Blu-ray Warcraft, which features stunning visuals and plenty of great low frequency effects. The SB16-Ultra acquitted itself extremely well, reproducing everything from the thunder of the Orc horde running towards the portal, to the visceral impacts of battle. Individual percussive elements like the impact of an Orc hammer on a human soldier had depth and authority, noticeably compressing the air in the room. The scene where Medivh calls down lighting to block the canyon was particularly impressive, and was both heard and felt throughout the theater. There’s no question that when called upon to deliver deep and authoritative bass the SB16-Ultra can flex its ample muscle and deliver impressively clean output and very high sound pressure levels.

SVS SB16-Ultra In Position

 

The SB16-Ultra: In Conclusion

As with everything else in our hobby, each purchase is a trade-off, with pros and cons to each product. Those looking to purchase a subwoofer with a budget of approximately $2500 have a plethora of options, so let’s break them down:

1) Multiple subwoofers: In large or acoustically challenging rooms, there is no substitute for multiple subs. They will even out the frequency response anomalies of the other subs in the room, and yield a much flatter response at a larger number of listening positions. If you have the space, it’s worth considering dual slightly lower end subwoofers rather than a single Ultra, as you’ll probably end up with a better overall in-room response, despite the lower end subwoofer’s significantly lower output capabilities.
2) Single subwoofer: For the average home theater enthusiast with a system in a common or living room, or even the dedicated theater, it can be hard to find room for a 2nd subwoofer, and that’s perfectly fine. You can achieve reference quality bass reproduction with a single well engineered subwoofer like the SVS SB-16Ultra.

Those who are after pure output and aren’t particularly picky about cabinet size or finish quality can certainly get more boom for their buck with products from other brands, but most don’t offer anything that’s as aesthetically polished and feature rich as the SVS, while offering a sonic advantage only at the lowest frequencies and the highest output levels. Those willing to spend more can own a subwoofer that in sonic terms matches and in more demanding installations outperforms the SB16-Ultra, but this requires going to more boutique manufacturers that don’t have the same customer service capabilities that SVS does.

In the case of the SB16-Ultra prospective owners can look forward to excellent sonic performance that betters the mainstream competition in almost every way, features and aesthetics that are unmatched (and designed for wife approval), and a very reasonable value proposition. In comparison to its competition, the SVS SB16-Ultra is about as close as a product gets to a home run in this hobby. Highly Recommended.

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Robert Crawford

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Great review as I'm looking to upgrading my subs to SVS brand in my main HT room. My room is not large at 16' X 14'. I currently have two Polk subs with the largest one with 2 12" woofers. Without a doubt, purchasing an SVS sub(s) can improve my bass performance.
 
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George_W_K

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I'm still rocking my SVS PB12+/2 I purchased in '03 I think. I'm still very happy. I wish I could afford an Ultra, and I hope to one day.
 

Mike Frezon

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Great write-up, Dave!

Those features on the sub itself (Bluetooth connectivity to an iPhone app?!?)?? Wow!

That would be great for me...seeing as how my PB-1000 is hidden under a corner table. Makes it tough when I want to make an adjustment on-the-fly.
 

Dave Upton

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Great write-up, Dave!

Those features on the sub itself (Bluetooth connectivity to an iPhone app?!?)?? Wow!

That would be great for me...seeing as how my PB-1000 is hidden under a corner table. Makes it tough when I want to make an adjustment on-the-fly.
It's worth noting just how much more power this one has than the other subs in their lineup. It will probably totally redefine what bass is for you. I know it's a lot of money - but I love encouraging folks to try it out.
 

Mike Frezon

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I consider myself "encouraged!" :D

I always enjoy how every time I get a new piece of gear it makes things better.

For example, I was THRILLED when I upgraded to my old Sony SA WM-40 sub (which I purchased from another forum member to replace the sub in my original Jensen HT package I had purchased at Circuit City!). Then I was REALLY thrilled to step up from the Sony to the SVS PB-1000. I mean that was like night and day.

I would bet stepping up from the PB-1000 to an SB16 would be an even more significant difference. Not sure that it's something that will ever happen--but like I noted in another thread, I have learned NEVER to say "never." It is certainly the stuff of dreams.
 

Robert Crawford

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I consider myself "encouraged!" :D

I always enjoy how every time I get a new piece of gear it makes things better.

For example, I was THRILLED when I upgraded to my old Sony SA WM-40 sub (which I purchased from another forum member to replace the sub in my original Jensen HT package I had purchased at Circuit City!). Then I was REALLY thrilled to step up from the Sony to the SVS PB-1000. I mean that was like night and day.

I would bet stepping up from the PB-1000 to an SB16 would be an even more significant difference. Not sure that it's something that will ever happen--but like I noted in another thread, I have learned NEVER to say "never." It is certainly the stuff of dreams.
I like to see Mike try to handle getting that big boy out of its box.;) Hell, I'm a big man and I don't want to see me trying to get that big boy out of its box.
 

Mike Frezon

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But it's got foams sleds to "easily settle it into position!" Dave says so!

Easy peasy!

I'm more worried about breaking my wallet's back than mine! :D
 

Dave Upton

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I'm also a large guy, and I wouldn't want to try lifting that sub. It's a monster. Thankfully the packaging really is amazingly well thought out.

When Mike's next mad at his wallet, perhaps he can break its back while enjoying subsonic thrills in the process.
 

Craig Chase

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Terrific write up, Dave. After Dave finished up with the review sample of the SB-16 Ultra, he forwarded it here for inclusion in our $2000-$2500 thread.

Dave - Your descriptions are spot on in terms of not only the power, but the elegance of the newest sealed Ultra. It would not look out of place in a system with $40,000 Magico speakers.

It's hard to imagine purchasing a JL Audio Fathom 113 when one can buy TWO of the Ultras for about the same $$$$.

Again, terrific write up. You nailed it. :)
 

Robert Crawford

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I'm about to pull the trigger on buying PC13-Ultra. I thought about getting two PC-2000, but decided against it as I think one PC13-Ultra would be enough to satisfy my needs.
 

CraigF

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^ I have a PC13-Ultra, it's a great sub. My room is similar in area to yours, 18x12.

I was (of course!) mulling over the new larger/better model, but I really really don't have the floor space for anything but another vertical sub. Dave gave a lot of IMO/E good advice, it is much easier to get a smooth LF response with two smaller subs than one large one. Physics. Four subs is even easier to get it, but harder on the brain and the shins and wallet.

A tip you didn't ask for...: use a "large" sub, like the PC13-Ultra as the "driver", to pressurize the room. Use a smaller sub to smooth out the frequency response. You can often find a good place for it (diagonally oposite the driver sub in the room is nice) that's somewhat out of the way. That's the best I can do here, too much stuff in too small a space.

Be sure to try out the PC13 in sealed mode, IIRC you have pretty good front end, it is quite good quality with music, nice and "fast"/responsive without a lot of bass overhang.
 
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DavidMiller

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I'm about to pull the trigger on buying PC13-Ultra. I thought about getting two PC-2000, but decided against it as I think one PC13-Ultra would be enough to satisfy my needs.

I have the PC-2000 and it has a crazy amount of bass been very happy with the purchase. I was just looking at their sale and was thinking about a second one. ;) I'm sure I wouldn't be able to get it past the wife though.
 

Mike Frezon

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Congratulations!!

I have the PC-2000 and it has a crazy amount of bass been very happy with the purchase. I was just looking at their sale and was thinking about a second one. ;) I'm sure I wouldn't be able to get it past the wife though.

She should help you carry it in and put it wherever you want it! Oh. Wait a minute. I think I slipped away from the real world there for a minute! :D
 

TroyH4

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Question for you guys:

I've been saving up for upgrading my old subs, and thinking of getting a SB16 Ultra. I have just enough money to only get 1 of these big boys, but I know the importance of having duals. Should I go ahead now and buy my first SB16, AND THEN save my money to buy my 2nd one when I'm able?

What do yall think?
 

George_W_K

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Question for you guys:

I've been saving up for upgrading my old subs, and thinking of getting a SB16 Ultra. I have just enough money to only get 1 of these big boys, but I know the importance of having duals. Should I go ahead now and buy my first SB16, AND THEN save my money to buy my 2nd one when I'm able?

What do yall think?
What would you be replacing?
 

theJman

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I've been saving up for upgrading my old subs, and thinking of getting a SB16 Ultra. I have just enough money to only get 1 of these big boys, but I know the importance of having duals. Should I go ahead now and buy my first SB16, AND THEN save my money to buy my 2nd one when I'm able?

The benefits derived from dual subwoofers are purely theoretical unless you have freedom to place them where they are complementary - from an audible perspective - and you are comfortable with tuning. Their 'importance' also assumes you have a deficiency that needs to be corrected which, depending upon the circumstances, may not be the case.

All too frequently you hear people espouse the notion that "duals are better!", but that's simply not the case. You can't just buy multiple subwoofers and plop them down wherever the decor suggests. That is likely to cause more problems than anything else. Your overall room size, number of listening positions, personal preferences, budget and placement options summed together will ultimately decide which approach is best for your particular situation. It may be that one very large/potent subwoofer would be more advantageous for you, but it may also prove true that multiples are the way to go. More information is required to make a determination.
 

Dave Upton

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The benefits derived from dual subwoofers are purely theoretical unless you have freedom to place them where they are complementary - from an audible perspective - and you are comfortable with tuning. Their 'importance' also assumes you have a deficiency that needs to be corrected which, depending upon the circumstances, may not be the case.

All too frequently you hear people espouse the notion that "duals are better!", but that's simply not the case. You can't just buy multiple subwoofers and plop them down wherever the decor suggests. That is likely to cause more problems than anything else. Your overall room size, number of listening positions, personal preferences, budget and placement options summed together will ultimately decide which approach is best for your particular situation. It may be that one very large/potent subwoofer would be more advantageous for you, but it may also prove true that multiples are the way to go. More information is required to make a determination.
You also don't need your 2nd sub to be a perfect match. If decor and budget allow, it's certainly a good option, however it's not required. Most of the time, if you're in a room being used as a theater, you can find somewhere sonically advantageous to plant a second sub, and assuming you have Audyssey, you will see benefits in most rooms, provided you have some flexibility.
 
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