SVS Launches 17-Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofer Series – First Look

All Image Credit: SVS

SVS announces two new 17″ subs in the latest Ultra R|Evolution series that are described by SVS as a: “A quantum leap forward in design with multiple groundbreaking innovations – the most formidable and sophisticated sealed or ported subwoofer ever developed”. The SB17 sealed subwoofer weighs in at 124lbs and digs down to 15Hz (-3dB) while the PB17 triple ported subwoofer weighs in at almost 165lbs and extends all the way down to 12Hz (-3dB). Finishes for both include; Piano Gloss Black and Black Oak Veneer.

Both designs employ their latest long-throw 17″ drivers that use dual 8-inch voice coils to ensure stable transfer of electro-magnetic current. The 4-layer bi-filar wound dual voice coils that handle the massive power from the dual-mono amplifier sit within a 55lb toroidal ferrite magnet. The copper clad aluminum voice coil wire combining the best properties of both elements, yielding ideal thermal capacity and magnetic field strength.

Driving all this current to the voice coils is “the most powerful and highest fidelity SVS subwoofer amplifier ever developed”, the STA-2800D. These dual mono-block Class-D amplifiers with MOSFET output stages use eight 60 Amp 200 Volt MOSFETs to deliver extreme high current with maximum efficiency.

Requiring an equally powerful and matching power supply, the STA-2800D uses a performance enhanced switch mode power supply that ensures that regardless of what your house socket is suppling the STA-2800D gets all the clean power that it requires. In order to achieve this the switch mode supply:

• Has an onboard AC line conditioner to filter and stabilizes incoming voltage, corrects waveform distortions, and eliminates electromagnetic and radio interferences
• Ensures clean and consistent 160V rail voltage and optimal power delivery from a standard 15-amp home circuit
• Provides Power-Factor-Correction (PFC) that time aligns the AC voltage to the AC current resulting in less heat, greater efficiency, reliable peak power output, and the ability to maintain rated power over a wide-range of input voltages
• With FEA optimized convection cooling system it has no exterior heatsinks

All of this powerful motive technology requires a sophisticated controller. Orchestrating the amplifier, motor, and driver systems is a 295 MHz Analog Devices digital signal processor (DSP). That according to SVS is the most powerful ever deployed in a consumer subwoofer. Its range of functions includes:

• Accurately shaping in-room frequency response with absolute precision for faithful signal reproduction
• Monitoring every function of the amplifier to stabilize AC voltage delivery to the power supply to maintain consistent peak output
• Monitoring multi-point thermal, voltage, and current systems to ensure maximum output and efficiency
• Controlling advanced digital audio processing and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio to provide greater headroom, lower noise, and pristine fidelity

Local control is available using the rear panels OLED and control interface providing access to most of the amplifiers features plus it has the ability to flip its image upside down for over the top front access.

All of this technology is housed within a robust medium density fiberboard (MDF) cabinet construction with internal bracing for resonance free performance at the highest drive levels. A removable protective non-resonant extra-thick ABS grille frame with fabric mesh cover shields the driver and the cabinet sits on screw-in iso-elastomer feet to help reduce noise artifacts and improve stability.

You do not even need to rely upon your AVR built-in room equalization as both of these subwoofers support the SVS Smartphone Control App now with a comprehensive Auto EQ Room Correction feature. The SVS app features controls for volume, low pass filter, phase, polarity, six parametric equalizers, room gain compensation, port tuning (PB17-Ultra R|Evolution only), power management settings, and more. There are also three convenient memory presets for fast and easy system adjustments to match your listening preferences.

This intuitive Auto EQ Subwoofer Room Correction feature (coming soon via firmware update) uses the built-in microphone on a user’s smartphone. The feature applies equalization filters, uses available room gain, and optimizes in-room frequency response at the main listening position for optimal in-room performance. The simple process requires just a few steps resolving many acoustic issues caused by your room.

Specifications:

MSRP (SB17/PB17):

• US: $2,499.99/$2,999.99
• UK: £3,250.00/£3,750.00
• EU: €3,487.00/€4,023.00

For more information visit the SVS web site:

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