SVS New 17-Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofer Series Their Best EVER?!?

[shadyJ]

​

SVS has recently announced a new flagship subwoofer series to replace their venerable 16-Ultra series, which was launched eight years ago. The new series, called the 17-Ultra R|Evolution series, pushes the specifications for their flagship subs a step further. It consists of the PB17-Ultra R|Evolution and SB17-Ultra R|Evolution, continuing SVS’s naming convention of using "P" to indicate the ported model and "S" to indicate the sealed model. Read our preview of SVS's new 17-Ultra R|Evolution series to find out more...

READ: SVS 17-Ultra R|Evolution Preview

 

[-Jim-]

I took the time today to attend their "MAJOR PRODUCT LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT on SVS Audiophile Happy Hour this Tuesday!" on YouTube, and frankly a lot of it was disappointing. The first 20 minutes was their CEO rambling on about various things like Concerts and Movies he liked. He really dominated the conversation, but finally they got to some discussion on these new Subs. They made the point of it numerous times that these were new "from the ground up", and not simply a rebrand like "other" OEMs do.

Obviously these are going to be unobtaniums for most folks (like me) at up to $3,000 USD, but I'll read the reviews (@shadyJ get going!) and drool. I'm still drooling over ShadyJ's Hsu Research VTF-TN1 15" Subwoofer Review which seems even more amazing at $1,200 USD!

I just need to win that dam lottery...

 

[ryanosaur]

I took the time today to attend their "MAJOR PRODUCT LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT on SVS Audiophile Happy Hour this Tuesday!" on YouTube, and frankly a lot of it was disappointing. The first 20 minutes was their CEO rambling on about various things like Concerts and Movies he liked. He really dominated the conversation, but finally they got to some discussion on these new Subs. They made the point of it numerous times that these were new "from the ground up", and not simply a rebrand like "other" OEMs do.

Obviously these are going to be unobtaniums for most folks (like me) at up to $3,000 USD, but I'll read the reviews (@shadyJ get going!) and drool. I'm still drooling over ShadyJ's Hsu Research VTF-TN1 15" Subwoofer Review which seems even more amazing at $1,200 USD!

I just need to win that dam lottery...

Agreed. Hopefully SVs is over themselves after the review of the new towers. They should be getting some Subs to Shady post haste!

 

[Movie2099]

As someone who has a PB16 Ultra, I would easily sell it and replace it with this new PB17 Ultra/R.

 

[Bobby Bass]

Looks like another winner of a sub from SVS. I love my dual SB1000 Pros. Their customer service is excellent especially after the sale. With 45 days to buy, audition and return for free in the US if necessary makes giving it a try a no brainer if it fits your needs and budget. It’s too big for my needs but good to see another option for those that do.

 

[lovinthehd]

Someday SVS might have a 23" or 31" or ?

 

[Bobby Bass]

Yeah if they have 100 inch plus TVs the subs have to keep up.

 

[jfortado]

I upgraded to my first big performer subs a year ago and got dual SVS PB 3000 subs. They bring the hammer down in movies so I can only imagine what these 17 Ultras can do. I'm dreaming of days of future upgrades, and they are filled with visceral bass!

 

[xilduq]

looking forward to audioholics' upcoming review(s).

svs *most graciously* allowed me to trade-up my dual sb-4000 to dual sb-17!

svs customer service is outstanding!

 

[Gunny]

I'm also hoping to get a pair of these into my room for review soon. The dual SB4000's I currently use as my reference subs are already plenty amazing, and a colleague of mine has reviewed the SB16 Ultras and found them so impressive, they remain his reference pair as well.

One thing I do not care for is the omission of the front panel display and controls. Putting these on the rear of these subs seems regressive compared to the 4000 and 16 series. The most interesting aspect for me is the built-in room correction. If this actually works as advertised it will be a game changer for SVS. The dual voice coils and dual mono amps are interesting and I'll be very curious to see what they add in real-world performance.

 

[Kal-El21]

As someone who has a PB16 Ultra, I would easily sell it and replace it with this new PB17 Ultra/R.

As someone who has two PB16's, I'll soon be adding a PB17!

 

[Movie2099]

As someone who has two PB16's, I'll soon be adding a PB17!

 

[Auditor55]

View attachment 70292

Overkill

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Overkill

For you…

 

[Auditor55]

Overkill

He's already in the Christmas spirit, just gifting money to a rich company.

 

[Golfx]

He's already in the Christmas spirit, just gifting money to a rich company.

Overkill? Isn’t that what this hobby thrives on?

Rich company=successful company vs ID company which will likely not survive the loss of the founder.

 

[jmeyers]

I have had two of the new SB17-Ultras for a couple of weeks. They are demonstrably more powerful (I think) than the pair of SB16-Ultras I had been using. However, the new software with room equalization and six (instead of just three) parametric equalization bands is not currently available. I have been told they will be coming "sometime in December". That should prove a gain changer, at least for people with just one of the SB17s. However, owners of two of these marvelous subwoofers will remain "up a creek" because the equalization software cannot address the interactions between them. For that, the two solutions are both costly -- Dirac 3 Live Room Correction with additional Bass Control (for an additional cost); or miniDSP. Because my AV preamp cannot "accept" Bass Control, it looks like I'll be having to pay $1,300+ for a miniDSP SHD because all my interconnects are balanced and need XLR inputs/outputs.

On a related topic, does anyone know if/when there will be a James Larson review on one or both of the 17-Ultras?

 

[jmeyers]

looking forward to audioholics' upcoming review(s).

svs *most graciously* allowed me to trade-up my dual sb-4000 to dual sb-17!

svs customer service is outstanding!

I agree. Unfortunately, returning two SB16-Ultras to SVS in Youngstown (and not getting free shipping to me of the SB17-Ultras because of it being an upgrade) was $1,000. At that cost, the trade in wasn't all that attractive. In fact, I sold them locally for a better net price.

 

[Auditor55]

Overkill? Isn’t that what this hobby thrives on?

Rich company=successful company vs ID company which will likely not survive the loss of the founder.

In all seriousness the people that this frequent forum are supposed to approach this hobby from a more objective standpoint. We're typically not advised or encouraged to spend money on gear when the return is not justified.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

In all seriousness the people that this frequent forum are supposed to approach this hobby from a more objective standpoint. We're typically not advised or encouraged to spend money on gear when the return is not justified.

Why is it always about you?