Subwoofers — SVS Sound SB16-Ultra

The SB16-Ultra is the sealed-box model of the SVS 16-Ultra series, which also includes the ported PB16-Ultra. Its list price in the United States was USD 1,999.99, and in Australia it costs AUD 5,799. Two finishes are offered, black oak veneer and piano gloss black, and SVS covers the subwoofer with a five-year warranty. SVS stated that its later 4000 series borrowed heavily from the 16-Ultra designs.

Key specs that matter

The 16 inch driver is powered by the Sledge STA-1500D, a Class D amplifier rated at 1,500 W RMS continuous and more than 5,000 W peak. Frequency response is 16 Hz to 460 Hz within 3 dB. Without the grille the cabinet measures 510 mm high, 495 mm wide and 511 mm deep, and the grille brings the depth to 580 mm. Net weight is 55.3 kg, or 66.2 kg in the carton. Stereo XLR and RCA inputs are provided, each with a matching output.

Engineering and use context

The voice coil is 203 mm (8 inch) across and edge-wound, a large diameter that spreads heat over a wide area at high drive levels. Four ring-shaped ferrite magnets make up the motor, which allows 78 mm of peak-to-peak excursion, and two shorting rings reduce distortion caused by modulation of the magnetic field. The cone is a fibreglass resin composite chosen for its ratio of stiffness to mass, carried by a powder-coated cast aluminium basket. Inside the amplifier, fully discrete output devices rated at 64 A and 200 V supply the current for large cone movements, and active power factor correction keeps the draw from the mains efficient. A 50 MHz Analog Devices audio DSP applies filtering at 56-bit precision. The sealed MDF enclosure has a double-thickness front baffle and rigid internal bracing to hold the panels still. Control is possible in three ways - a Bluetooth app for Apple and Android devices with two-way feedback, an IR remote, or the front panel display. The low-pass filter covers 30 Hz to 200 Hz with a choice of slopes, phase is continuously variable from 0 to 180 degrees, three parametric EQ bands are available, and custom presets can be stored in the app. The box also contains a steel mesh grille, screw-in rubber feet, a power cord and the IR remote.

Pairing

Balanced XLR connection suits AV processors and stereo preamplifiers with XLR outputs, while the RCA pair takes the subwoofer pre-out of a home cinema receiver. The pass-through outputs let a second unit be added, and SVS offers the model as a Dual SB16-Ultra set.

Alternatives

The SVS PB16-Ultra is the ported version of the same 16-Ultra series subwoofer.