For a high-performance speaker manufacturer such as SVS to announce "all-new flagship subwoofers," and "the most powerful subwoofers we've ever created with multiple first-ever design elements in the driver and amplifier," only shows how strategic these two new 17-Ultra R|Evolution products are for the company. SVS also calls the two new products, "the most powerful, sophisticated, and user-friendly SVS subwoofers ever introduced to the consumer market."
In order to achieve the "ultimate reference standard for subwoofer performance," the advancements to the driver and amplifier also required a new approach with DSP, and the new auto EQ room correction application. Starting with the driver, the ground-up process engineering lead the company to achieve a massively powerful new design. To ensure stable transfer of electro-magnetic current from the dual mono-amplifier to the 55lb ferrite magnet motor, SVS applied a unique dual eight-inch, copper clad aluminum voice coil in order to yield the ideal thermal capacity and magnetic field strength in the motor. The all new high-excursion 17" driver features a glass fiber composite cone, and a long-throw catenary SBR rubber surround. This combination is able to generate massive sound pressure levels well below the threshold of human hearing (15Hz for SB17-Ultra and 12Hz for the PB17-Ultra model).
Generating the sonic muscle behind these two SVS subwoofers is a unique dual mono-block STA-2800D Class-D amplifier with a custom MOSFET output stage. Each BTL amplifier drives one of the dual voice coils to increase the power into the motor while asserting pinpoint control and maximizing output potential. Eight 60A, 200V MOSFETs deliver extreme high current for reference-level output with maximum efficiency.
Given the amplifier’s output potential, SVS designers needed an equally capable power supply to accommodate the limits of a typical 15A home AC circuit. The 17-Ultra R|Evolution subwoofers have an onboard AC line conditioner with power factor correction to stabilize the incoming voltage, correct waveform distortions, and eliminate electromagnetic and radio interference. This continuously optimizes signal quality while ensuring the subwoofers remain impervious to voltage fluctuations.
While DSP remains absent from many subwoofers in the market, SVS integrated a sophisticated Analog Devices DSP to optimize all aspects of the design performance and usability. This processing stage orchestrates every function of the amplifier to shape in-room response and stabilize AC voltage delivery, while managing a multi-point thermal and current monitoring system for optimal performance and efficiency.
Calibration of the 17-Ultra R|Evolution series is managed via a comprehensive new smartphone app that features controls for volume, low pass filter, phase, polarity, six parametric equalizers, room gain compensation, port tuning (PB17 model only), power management settings, and more. There are also three convenient memory presets for fast and easy system adjustments to match the user's listening preferences.
Also new to the 17-Ultra R|Evolution subwoofers is the intuitive Auto EQ Subwoofer Room Correction. Using the SVS app and the built-in microphone on a user's smartphone, the feature applies equalization filters, capitalizes on available room gain, and optimizes in-room frequency response at main listening positions for optimal in-room performance. The simple process requires just a few steps and helps tame all the acoustic issues caused by a room. The new Auto EQ Subwoofer Room Correction will be available via an over-the-air app and firmware update coming later.
"SVS is a restless company. We are never satisfied with making modest improvements just for the sake of launching a new product," says Gary Yacoubian, SVS President. "That restlessness is what fueled the top to bottom advancements of our flagship 17-Ultra R|Evolution subwoofers. Literally every part of the ecosystem was reimagined to achieve an unprecedented level of low frequency performance and world class user experience. They truly represent a quantum leap forward in subwoofer design and I could not be prouder of what our team accomplished."
Both models are now shipping in the US. The SB17-Ultra R|Evolution is a sealed cabinet model that retails for USD $2,499.99, while the PB17-Ultra R|Evolution is a ported cabinet version, retailing for USD $2,999.99. Finish options include Piano Gloss Black and Premium Black Oak Wood Veneer finishes.
www.svsound.com
