SVS SBS-01 Speaker System Review

[Tom Andry]

It was like a flare went up on the Internet the day that SVS released their new 5.1 speaker system. SVS has had a reputation for years as an excellent subwoofer manufacturer offering great subs for rock bottom prices. To say that SVS has a loyal following is akin to suggesting that sharks LIKE to eat or that flowers ENJOY sunshine. SVS inspires loyalty so intense, it borders on fanaticism. Needless to say, when Gene called me and asked if I wanted to review the new SVS (that’s as far as he got before I said yes). Like anyone that has spent any time on the Internet, I can’t help but be curious about the SVS subs. Given the opportunity to play with their new speaker system was just too good to pass up. Check out the review to get Tom's full reaction.

[Read the Review]

 

[Bigfishe]

Great Review

Great Review!! WAF will be a big one in this house, Now if You could only do the BIC Acoustechs at a similar price point.....I would be able to make my speaker Choice.

 

[Sheep]

Great review Mr.Andry.

So this is what you were hinting about in your PM.

SheepStar

 

[jaxvon]

Nice review Tom! There are a few things I'd like to see in the future though...

-More depth in the subjective evaluation of the performance. Think of it as an excuse to listen to more music and watch more movies.

-Measurements. At the present I realize that this may be an impossibility for you, but I think it should be standard on every AH review (so it's not just you).

Other than that, nicely done. They seem like they're well worth the price.

 

[Sheep]

Nice review Tom! There are a few things I'd like to see in the future though...

-More depth in the subjective evaluation of the performance. Think of it as an excuse to listen to more music and watch more movies.

-Measurements. At the present I realize that this may be an impossibility for you, but I think it should be standard on every AH review (so it's not just you).

Other than that, nicely done. They seem like they're well worth the price.

All bow to president Jaxvon, the all mighty review critic.

Some other things to fix are...

1. Your humor, I'm sorry but its just not funny. Now a guy walks into a bar, ouch. Thats gold!
2. You smell.

Other then that, Great job!

I keed I keed. I'm making fun of Jaxvon, not you.

SheepStar

 

[jaxvon]

I have room to complain about a subjective evaluation. Remember these?

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12269
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12415

 

[jongaro]

i am losing respect for audioholics

Of all the speakers/audio components to review... you guys review a SVS HT system? Not only that, but the review certainly wasn't up to the what I would normally expect from the usual detailed reviews in the past. Makes me wonder if the reviewer received some sort of kick back from SVS in return for a kind review.

It would be nice if Audioholics spent more time reviewing quality equipment rather than shady rip-off artists without an original idea.

 

[Sheep]

Of all the speakers/audio components to review... you guys review a SVS HT system? Not only that, but the review certainly wasn't up to the what I would normally expect from the usual detailed reviews in the past. Makes me wonder if the reviewer received some sort of kick back from SVS in return for a kind review.

It would be nice if Audioholics spent more time reviewing quality equipment rather than shady rip-off artists without an original idea.

Is he serious? Are you serious?

SVS is a leading subwoofer manufacture. They always planned to make speakers, but when you start out, you don't have all the money in the world.

Whats your Idea of quality equipment? Green phelts that give your CD's liquid midrange? Or how about time correcting maple speaker and CD player stands. I know, Batteries in speaker cables. Right? Is that it?

Get lost.

SheepStar

 

[corysmith01]

It would be nice if Audioholics spent more time reviewing quality equipment rather than shady rip-off artists without an original idea.

It would also be nice if you were a little more detailed in your rant. What qualifies (in your mind) as quality equipment that they haven't reviewed? Who, exactly, are the shady rip-off artists you refer to that you'd like to see less of? Who are you accusing of not having an original idea? This sort of blind attack doesn't really serve any good. If there are things you'd like to see less/more of, specifically, let it be written.

And for what it's worth, I didn't really find the review all that kind, specifically if you're a consumer in the market for a system that slants heavily towards music. The reviewer made it sound like this clearly is not at the top of the list for music lovers out there.

 

[korgoth]

Of all the speakers/audio components to review... you guys review a SVS HT system? Not only that, but the review certainly wasn't up to the what I would normally expect from the usual detailed reviews in the past. Makes me wonder if the reviewer received some sort of kick back from SVS in return for a kind review.

It would be nice if Audioholics spent more time reviewing quality equipment rather than shady rip-off artists without an original idea.

the review was a little short, and although i thought the review was alright, it wasnt as objective as many other reviews done here.

as for "shady rip off artists" im not sure where you got that svs was shady, their subs are regarded pretty highly. Only drawback is their massive size.

 

[Ron Temple]

Nice review Tom...unless you're ready to cart out some comparisons, which I think would be way too early, I thought you explained all your points extremely well, positives and negatives, along with your subjective listening preferences for music. I don't think it will discourage anyone from auditioning nor will they blindly expect the second coming, which many, including myself, might talk them self into based on SVS's sub performance.

I'm sure it's a great product at this price point. Your review confirms this with caveats.

 

[shokhead]

Of all the speakers/audio components to review... you guys review a SVS HT system? Not only that, but the review certainly wasn't up to the what I would normally expect from the usual detailed reviews in the past. Makes me wonder if the reviewer received some sort of kick back from SVS in return for a kind review.

It would be nice if Audioholics spent more time reviewing quality equipment rather than shady rip-off artists without an original idea.

Sounds like an HSU owner.

 

[shokhead]

It was like a flare went up on the Internet the day that SVS released their new 5.1 speaker system. SVS has had a reputation for years as an excellent subwoofer manufacturer offering great subs for rock bottom prices. To say that SVS has a loyal following is akin to suggesting that sharks LIKE to eat or that flowers ENJOY sunshine. SVS inspires loyalty so intense, it borders on fanaticism. Needless to say, when Gene called me and asked if I wanted to review the new SVS (that’s as far as he got before I said yes). Like anyone that has spent any time on the Internet, I can’t help but be curious about the SVS subs. Given the opportunity to play with their new speaker system was just too good to pass up. Check out the review to get Tom's full reaction.

[Read the Review]

I know when these first came around the sensitivity came up,the 87dB wasnt a problem or could it be with lower rated receivers?

 

[jcPanny]

Speakers for music

Tom,
Great review. I think some of the members of the forum forget that audio in general and speakers in perticular are highly subjective. SVS has a great trial and return policy so hearing them in your own room with your own equipment is always the best option. The specs of these speakers including the frequency response charts are also readily available on the SVS site. I don't see any benifit to including an in-room response chart unless your are testing the capabilities of a PEQ type component.

Concerning music performance, is it safe to say that you prefer your Axiom system over the new SVS speakers?
A large percentage of music listening and the WAF have me leaning towards an Axiom system with M22ti mains. Then agian, you are getting the 5 SVS speakers for about the same price as a pair of Axiom M22's so it probably isn't a fair comparison.

 

[shokhead]

Isnt a pair of 22's 400 bucks?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Tom,

Thanks for the review. Just a few questions.

What size is your room?

You mentioned a "hole" when listening to music. Could you elaborate on what frequencies were missing, or was that just some muddy bass? I would have assumed with such small drivers and a large box, there may be some upper bass/lower midrage Hz missing.

You mentioned there was some distortion when playing the system at high volumes. Was this from the tweeters breaking up? Is your system set flat or eq'd leaning towards a bit more sibalance (or less since you're Axioms are a bit more "bright")?

I agree that the PB10 is the best sub in it's price class, but just so our readers know, it's going to be closer to $500 after shipping ($429 retail).

 

[Tomorrow]

Sounds like an HSU owner.

Spoken like an SVS owner.

Nice review, Tom. (What were you saying about a 'cult'? LOL.)

 

[Tomorrow]

Of all the speakers/audio components to review... you guys review a SVS HT system? Not only that, but the review certainly wasn't up to the what I would normally expect from the usual detailed reviews in the past. Makes me wonder if the reviewer received some sort of kick back from SVS in return for a kind review.

It would be nice if Audioholics spent more time reviewing quality equipment rather than shady rip-off artists without an original idea.

You're way out of line with this comment.

 

[shokhead]

Spoken like an SVS owner.

Nice review, Tom. (What were you saying about a 'cult'? LOL.)

LMAO,pretty funny

 

[SmackDown]

You're way out of line with this comment.

He's not that far off the mark though. The history of SVS can easily be traced on deja.com. T and R were disciples of Dr. HSU and probed him for information for years before they finally turned all the information gleaned from him into their own products which coincidentally had a very similar design. I believe that is what he's referring to. If anyone cares to research how enamoured they were of Po it's all there stored forever.