"It's impactful, big, bold, precise, and, through the SVS, it honestly
doesn't sound like the thud is coming from a subwoofer. It sounds like
an in-room apocalypse." ~ Dennis Burger
Does a good loudspeaker really always have to be as ugly as they come or at least difficult
to integrate into a living atmosphere in line with the current standards of interior design?
At first glance, the latest loudspeaker trends sometimes tend to leave the impression that
such successful design is actually concealing a real sound-killer. It may also be the case that true sound freaks intuitively mistrust relatively attractive loudspeakers. After all, if a loud-speaker looks good, it certainly can’t feature a ‘form-follows-function’ design and therefore can't actually be much of a success, right?
Reviewed by Wayne Garcia of the absolute sound back in Jan 2013.
Back in 2008 I wrote very favorably about a CD player and integrated
amplifier from Exposure’s 3010S Series. These components fell into the
highly competitive mid-$2000 price range, which is reachable by most
non-one-percenters and marks a price point from which you generally need
to make a big leap to get significantly better performance. Both 3010S
designs delivered a very engaging sound that I described as “beautifully
balancing detail with warmth, rhythmic precision with lyricism, and
delicacy with power.”
...In that regard Exposure’s 3010S2 mono amps not only rank among the best
of class, they also do so while delivering outstanding value. Give ’em a
listen.
SVS SOUND SB-1000 active subwoofer Rating: First impressions: Although I have so far
had limited experience with SVS Sound products, I like the US company’s
approach of providing great bang for buck. Its main pitch – subwoofers,
which are crucial for any meaningful home theatre experience.
"I have the deepest respect for what SVS has done with the Ultra line,
and for this listener, where respect treads, pleasure and relaxation are
rarely far behind. These speakers do everything well, and the more time
I spent with them, the more I appreciated the way they could get the
best out of any content in my library—free of gross flaws, too-obvious
subjectivity, or little niggling quirks that grow tiresome in the long
term." ~ Mark Fleischmann, HomeTheater.com
Price:
Ultra Bookshelf (RM4,399/pair), Ultra
Center (RM2,999), and Ultra Surround (RM4,899/pair)
SB12-NSD (RM3,199)
At A Glance: Distinctive enclosure shapes • Strong build quality • Satisfying, balanced sound
Introduction
If you have heard of SVS, chances are you know of their exceptional
reputation for performance and customer service. This company has been
offering home theater subwoofers with earth shattering performance at
great prices for years now. Take a look at almost any model on their
website and you will find dozens of 4 and 5-star reviews from happy
customers. These guys are good at what they do, and people know it. I
expected the flagship PB13-Ultra to be no exception. It has elements of
their tried and true cylinder units, like the 13" custom woofer, tuning
ports and integrated amplifier. So how far could it wander from the
stellar performance typical of SVS subs? Read on to see how well it
lives up to the name.
In this review, I will evaluate the performance of a single PB13-Ultra
using a variety of music and movie content, and explore the features,
options, and settings included in the package.
Associated equipment: Yamaha RX-V530, Paradigm Cinema speakers, Apple TV, and Samsung BD-D6500, REW Software.
Overall Value
In fact, you may already be thinking about subs that cost
half or less and wondering how two (or more) of them would compare to a
single PB13 for the same price. A major benefit of multiple subs is even
distribution through the room. This can be very difficult for a single
subwoofer to achieve, especially in larger or irregularly shaped rooms.
During my evaluation, the SVS consistently did an excellent job of
filling the room with even and well controlled bass, and had plenty of
headroom to spare if needed. Every system and every room is unique, with
its own challenges. The added flexibility of the port tuning options
and built-in PEQ make the PB13 better prepared for such obstacles than
most basic subs (even some others in the same price range).
Conclusion and Recommendations
One preconception I had
developed, for whatever reason, about the PB13 was that it would be a
brute-force, window rattling, blow-your-socks-off bass machine. And...
it basically is. What has surprised me about it though, is its ability
to maintain control while delivering the more subtle details. I love
this sub for both music and movies. It looks great and offers some
unique features. The only real complaint that comes to mind is the size,
but if you want good bass, you have to go big!
I would recommend the PB13 to those of you with the budget and space for
a sub that gives you a real movie theater experience.
"If there is a single subwoofer that revolutionized both the
price/performance ratio and the way we buy subwoofers, the SVS Powered
Cylinder is it."~ Russell Williams
We are now trying to reach out to more SVS enthusiasts in Northern part of Peninsula. Hopefully, it will be materialised in early October 2012. For those in Sabah and Sarawak, you may contact Sound Fusion Sdn Bhd in Kuching.
* New SVS designed/built Plus 12.5 woofer
* STA-800D Sledge™ DSP controlled amp
* Flush-mount amp configuration
* Computer Assisted Design (CAD) enclosure
* Front-firing with "curve perf" magnetic grill
* Compliant floor mounts, low center of gravity
* Proprietary 3" high-flow flared ports
* Selectable 20Hz, 16Hz or sealed modes
* Size: Approx. 25” deep x 19" wide x 21" high.
* Weight: 127 pounds
“…the PB12-Plus delivered perhaps the most detailed, subtle performance
of all these subs.” - Brent Butterworth, Sound and Vision Magazine,
September 09
* SVS 12" NSD AL cone and composite dust cap driver
* 400W RMS STA-400D SVS Sledge™ DSP-controlled amp
* Wide-flared 4” port for maximum air-flow with no artifacts.
* 20 Hz tuning for optimal extension and output on all source material.
* Curved metal grille for a stylish and high-tech appearance.
* +/-3dB 18Hz-150hz anechoic extension
* Size: 17.3" wide x 20.9" high x 22" deep 66lb.
Rating: Hot: Even tonal balance with great detail retrieval
capabilities. This player is never additive and has a firm comprehension
of timing and speed. Full potential is realised when the digital output
jumper inside is removed, which results in a more open sound and wider
stage, with better bass and more sparkling highs. CD players like this
one do much to extend the shelf-life of the format. “Involving” seems
like an understated term to describe it.
Cold: Looks not as spectacular as the sound. BNC
output may limit connectivity to outboard DACs (although the sterling
performance of the internal unit may lead to the question why one would
want to do this).
Encore: It’s great to that Exposure is paying this
much attention to competitiveness – the 3010s2 seems like a steal, given
that it stands up to units twice the price. This one is for those who
want to “leave it there and just enjoy the music.” Well done … if you’re
putting together a CD-based system, this will suit many configurations.
Specs: Dual-mono Burr-Brown PCM1704 24-bit DACs / 2V
RMS output / Discrete output stage and multi-stage regulation / 2
digital outputs (optical and BNC) / 1 pair of analogue outputs / Remote
handset / Defeatable display / Jumper connection to disable digital
output for better sonic performance / All-aluminium caework /
Dimensions: 90 x 440 x 300mm (h/w/d), 5kg / Finish options: Silver,
black
PB13-Ultra now come with the new SVS Sledge STA-1000D DSP amps
One of the finest most powerful full-sized subs in the world. Intro pricing on 1kW SVS Sledge™ DSP-controlled amp.
If you demand the best in what you buy, and have come to realize that the best of "anything" isn't always the most expensive, then SVS's PB13-Ultra subs deserve attention. Big, powerful, nuanced sound for either music or movie audio. The new true 1,000 watt Sledge™ DSP controlled amp has made this American-classic a wholly new beast indeed.
SVS Ultra-13 Woofer Features:
Custom 13.5" (edge to edge) die-cast aluminum frame in SVS metallic blue
High-temp, flat-wire, 3" US-built aluminum voice coil for optimal power handling
Costly polyimide impregnated fiberglass "former", the core of woofer electrical precision
Nickel-plated 1008 low-carbon steel components
High-tension chrome plated binding posts keep power flowing
Copper "Faraday ring" for enhanced frequency response
This is SVS PC12-NSD, the smallest member of the cylinder subwoofer range, that kept many of our customers smiling.
The PC12-NSD comes with a 12" down firing woofer and integrated base-plate. Powering the subwoofer is the 400 watt DSP digital amp. The design is compact and allows customers to benefit from its small foot print. The PC12-NSD stands at 35" tall with a diameter of 16".
Though the PC12-NSD is the smallest model of the Cylinder range, the actual size of this subwoofer doesn't exactly justify the word 'small' at all.
Features :
