The New SVS 17-inch Home Theater Subwoofer

SVS Goes Infrasonic with the New SVS 17 Utra R|Evolution Series

Carole King once sang, "I feel the earth move under my feet.", which might be an apt introduction to SVS's new 17 Ultra R|Evolution Series home theater subwoofer. SVS has long been known for innovation and excellence in subwoofers and speakers, but this one is a little more special. We saw it at the recent CEDIA show for residential technology integrators, and we’re excited about it. You see, while SVS has always made fantastic subwoofers, they’ve never plumbed depths this low – the type of infrasonic sound that shakes your room. What does this mean for cinematic sound? Stay with us below to learn more!

A Worthy Successor to the 16-Ultra Series

The 17-Ultra R|Evolution series is a product that builds on its predecessor, the 16-Ultra, yet surpasses it in every way. First, the subwoofer features a larger 17-inch driver for more powerful low-end sound. SVS upgraded the motor structure with dual 8-inch voice coils (a step up from the previous single coil), resulting in better control and efficiency. The motor itself weighs a hefty 60 pounds and incorporates a quad-ferrite magnet design delivering powerful, room-shaking bass. To handle the increased power, SVS also introduced a dual monoblock amplifier and a 295 MHz processor that's five times more powerful for more precise DSP control over the sound.

Elevated Performance

SVS subwoofers have always been known for their range, not just low-end grunt. This means that they are musical as well as capable of thunderous explosions and earthquakes in movie soundtracks. With the SVS 17-Ultra R|Evolution, the company goes infrasonic, with consistent and accurate ultra-low-frequency response.

The ported version goes to 8 Hz, while the sealed cabinet model reaches down to 11 Hz. That means that these subwoofers - relatively compact for the incredible infrasonic bass they produce – retain all the range of previous SVS models while delivering the visceral rumble of bass for the most demanding cinema soundtracks, like the opening sequence in The Edge of Tomorrow.

Smart Features and Control

One of SVS’s innovations in the Pro subwoofer models was control and calibration through a smartphone app. You can adjust settings like volume, phase, and EQ right from your phone, making it easier to optimize the subwoofer for your space.

The upcoming auto-EQ room calibration feature is the next innovation, allowing the subwoofer to automatically tune itself to your room’s acoustics for the best possible sound. The PB17-Ultra R|Evolution model also includes variable port tuning, which gives you more flexibility to fine-tune the bass response to your liking.

Design and Construction

The SVS 17-Ultra R|Evolution series features robust cabinet designs that match the subwoofers' powerful performance. The PB17-Ultra's larger ported enclosure enhances its ability to produce low-end rumble down to 8 Hz, while the sealed SB17-Ultra's compact design offers more precise, tighter bass.

While these subs aren't exactly small, they perform as well or better than more behemoth-sized competitors, so you can have tight, clean, earth-shaking bass in a modestly sized home theater. Both models handle immense power efficiently with dual monoblock amplifiers, ensuring clean sound even at high volumes. As for pricing, the PB17-Ultra and SB17-Ultra offer premium performance at price points that often undercut competitive offerings.

Typical of SVS, the new 17-Ultra R|Evolution models are a tour de force for subwoofer performance. If you’re in the market for more powerful bass or a new home theater, Show and Tell AV can help. Let’s start the conversation! Contact us here or start a chat below — we look forward to assisting you!