September 2019


Best Of 2019 Blue Note Equipment Awards

SVSound SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer
Price: $2000
Click here to read the complete review.

  On the SVS website there's a section titled "Why go dual subwoofers?". Their reasons are simple: Two small subwoofers can fit were one large subwoofer can't, more listening position options, greater headroom, stereo bass which will improve soundstage, plus, the bass frequencies are more difficult to localize. SVS even has a video explaining why two are better than one. For quite a while I only used one subwoofer in my system. This was mostly because I didn't have enough space for two, and please, I am not saying that two subwoofers are mandatory, as I was very happy using only one subwoofer in the corner of my listening room.

The Ultra subwoofers uses four toroidal ferrite magnets that "are the heaviest ever used in a consumer subwoofer", and so they are able to generate "unprecedented levels of magnetic force" to drive the "highest levels" of excursion, SPL, and low frequency output. The cone is made from a "rigid but lightweight" fiberglass resin composite "that never flexes" and is able to "convey subtle and room-shaking low frequency effects with equal aplomb".

SVSound's SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer subwoofer is not the best sounding subwoofer on the market, nor it is it the best I've ever heard. But a better sounding subwoofer with a driver this size is going to be much more expensive than the SB16-Ultra's asking price. Nor is this subwoofer meant for everyone, because the SB16-Ultra is a rather large subwoofer, with its grille in place it is almost two-feet deep. But for those who have the money, and enough room, and desire more than a full-frequency range high-end system I think spending more than the SVS's very reasonable price might not make much sense. Highly recommended. A pair of these are my new reference, strengthening the sound of an already great sounding pair of Sound Lab Majestic 545 full-range electrostatic speakers. 

Click here to read the complete review.

Previous Annual Blue Note Awards

Product of the Year Awards 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.