SVS SB13-Ultra Subwoofer Contest Review Thread

[gene]

We had SVS send samples of their brand new SB13-Ultra subwoofer to 3 lucky forum members for their evaluation.

This is the thread where each of the 3 contestants:

• Adam
• Eugovector
• PBC

will post their official evaluations and experiences with the product.

Note: The contestants were chosen based on the criteria outlined in this pre-qualifier threadhttp://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/80677-contest-first-audition-new-svs-sb13-ultra-series-sealed-box-subwoofer.html.

It's up to you to decide which evaluation you've found to be the most thorough and useful. The winner of this contest will be awarded a Brand New SB-13-Ultra subwoofer.

This contest starts September 5th and the voting period ends on September 19th.

IMPORTANT: Please refrain from voting and commenting in this thread until ALL 3 Contestants have posted their evaluations.

When you Vote, Please tell us why you chose your particular favorite.

For more product information, check out the official SVS SB13-Ultra Page

Update: Due to voter fraud in the polls, we are only counting votes written in this thread by members with a post count of at least 5. Voting deadline is also extended to Sept 25th, 2012. Thank you.

 

[gene]

PBC's SVSound SB13-Ultra User Review!

Here is PBC's SVS SB13-Ultra Evaluation

 

[gene]

Adam's SVS SB13-Ultra Evaluation

Here is Adam's SVS SB13-Ultra Evaluation

 

[gene]

Here is Eugovector's SVS SB13-Ultra Evaluation

 

[Marshall_Guthrie]

Sorry for being late to the party; it's been a long week at the office.

I want to congratulate my fellow reviewers on two great reviews. I think it's fantastic what we all bring to the table in this community.

For the readers/watchers...I don't envy you. There's a ton of good info in these reviews to digest. Thanks for your attention.

Thanks Gene, Audioholics, and SVS for the opportunity.

 

[gene]

Wow you guys all did a fabulous job! I foresee a bright future as underpaid Audioholics Reviewers for each and everyone of you

Seriously guys, great job! As far as I am concerned you're all winners!

 

[slipperybidness]

Wow you guys all did a fabulous job! I foresee a bright future as underpaid Audioholics Reviewers for each and everyone of you

Seriously guys, great job! As far as I am concerned you're all winners!

Underpaid? I think y'all would probably do it for free I would, getting to play with all those nice toys is a pretty sweet job, any way you slice it

 

[Adam]

I want to congratulate my fellow reviewers on two great reviews. I think it's fantastic what we all bring to the table in this community.

Agreed! You and Steve did outstanding jobs. I really enjoyed both reviews.

Wow you guys all did a fabulous job! I foresee a bright future as underpaid Audioholics Reviewers for each and everyone of you

Seriously guys, great job! As far as I am concerned you're all winners!

Thanks, Gene! Like you said, I really do feel lucky to have had this opportunity. Win or lose the contest, I already won by being able to audition this great sub. As for the contest, one of the awesome things about this place is the people and how friendly we are - Steve and Marshall are both good guys and did awesome jobs, which makes it easy for me to be happy for whoever wins.

Underpaid? I think y'all would probably do it for free I would, getting to play with all those nice toys is a pretty sweet job, any way you slice it

You got that right. It came across as a joke, but I really do get all excited for FedEx/UPS and run to the window whenever I hear a truck engine driving by. That alone was almost enough payment for me. Okay, maybe not...but being able to use the sub sure was!

 

[pbc]

It certainly was a ton of fun. Had to kick the wife and kids out of the house for a couple days as well, so it was like a double bonus! (hopefully my wife does not read that last part).

Thanks again AH and SVSound.

 

[Marshall_Guthrie]

I always love the opportunity to play with new equipment, I just wish I had more time. When I win the lottery, I'll never go back to work, and the fed-ex truck will stop by every day

 

[Matt34]

I'm still waiting for the bribes to come in from the reviewers before I place my vote.

 

[Marshall_Guthrie]

I'm still waiting for the bribes to come in from the reviewers before I place my vote.

Swing by my house and I'll buy you a homebrew.

 

[Ricci]

Great job guys.

 

[KEW]

I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of these reviews! Short of the level of detail in the measurements, I'm not sure I've seen much better, and I know I've seen many, many worse pro reviews!

 

[rushwj]

Maybe I missed it, but can anybody (even svs itself) comment on what exactly the improvements are over the sb13-plus? I just purchased a plus a few months ago (new from svs - thinking it was one of their last ones now) and enjoy it, but interested in what the upgrades are making this an "ultra" from the plus. Particularly if it goes a little lower with a little more power. Thanks in advance.
-bill

 

[macddmac]

Rushwj, Read the second post in PBC's review
Cheers, Mac

 

[mike c]

Maybe I missed it, but can anybody (even svs itself) comment on what exactly the improvements are over the sb13-plus? I just purchased a plus a few months ago (new from svs - thinking it was one of their last ones now) and enjoy it, but interested in what the upgrades are making this an "ultra" from the plus. Particularly if it goes a little lower with a little more power. Thanks in advance.
-bill

...
SVS’s “Ultra” lineup of subwoofers represents their top of the line models. Their SB13-Ultra (SB standing for “Sealed Box”) is the subject of this review. Some have questioned why the SB13-Plus was discontinued and it appears that SVS simply changed the box aesthetic and renamed it an “Ultra”. I asked Ed Mullen, Director – Technology and Customer Relations for SVSound, and he responded ”While the SB13-Ultra hardware is indeed similar to the SB13-Plus, we have made a several key revisions which are noteworthy and improve the overall performance, functionality, and value of the SB13-Ultra, making it a worthy successor and a better product in every way than the SB13-Plus:

• The driver soft parts have been revised to improve the T/S parameters. We are not releasing specifics on this though - the changes are proprietary.
  [*] The DSP flash file (EQ and limiter/compressor algorithms) was revised for even more linearity, accuracy and better behavior at the limits.
  [*] The cabinet volume is slightly higher due to the removal of the side panels, and this contributes to improved deep bass efficiency and deeper extension (quasi-anechoic F6 is now a legitimate 20 Hz).
  [*] The grille retention system was improved to a pin/cup arrangement. This works better than the previous version, which was prone to slipping at high playback levels.
  [*] The finish is now a premium 6-sided piano gloss or black oak veneer to match the PB13-Ultra.”
  

Given that they also have not really increased the price of the SB13-Ultra, this sounds good to me.
...

10 letters

 

[Haberskir]

I would love to thank all three of you guys. You all did a great job. I will have to re read all of them before I vote. They all have their high points.

Thanks for the good reading

 

[raynist]

10 letters

I bought both of my SB13+'s 1.25 years ago for $1199 (and then 5% off for repeat customer discount) before they went on clearance so the price increase is pretty substantial. I would love for someone to do a comparison of the SB13+ vs the ultra to see the differences. I love SVS and have many of their subs but I am not so sure about this one when it is only $100 less than a pc ultra and takes up more floor space.

Everyone did a great job on the reviews!

 

[Marshall_Guthrie]

I bought both of my SB13+'s 1.25 years ago for $1199 (and then 5% off for repeat customer discount) before they went on clearance so the price increase is pretty substantial. I would love for someone to do a comparison of the SB13+ vs the ultra to see the differences. I love SVS and have many of their subs but I am not so sure about this one when it is only $100 less than a pc ultra and takes up more floor space.

Everyone did a great job on the reviews!

Good observation about the PC13-Ultra, though the price difference is $200 more during the promo period. I think that the high quality finish and overall smaller volume does come at a price for those who prefer it.