Thread: Full SVS SB -13 Ultra review

In giving a full review to an audio/video product, I realize that there are many helpful professional reviews out there, even ones that helped me make my decision. For example, David Vaughn does a great review of this product, so let me tailor my reviews to that as a customer, not a technical adviser.

I bought a pair of SVS SB-13 Ultras to replace my single, Thiel SB3, which I had for 8 or so years. And I will use the subs for the home theatre parts of my system, not audio. My Revel Salon II handles music very well.

I’ll be using it for:
Blue Ray movies:
DVD Movies:
Baseball and Sports on TV
TV (Cable Movies)
TV shows.

First, these were the first major audio or video product that I bought sight unseen and sound unheard because of the very good reviews from people I trust. Also SVS offers a great 45 day, no questions ask return policy. Also, I spoke to ED M. of SVS who gave me very good advice. He also, when I got the subwoofers, helped me with the room EQ. His advice was different from the Krell automatic set up and, frankly, was simple to do and was better than the Krells.

So this was a safe and easy purchase. That was very important. I also used single ended connections, not balanced.

The units are heavy, about one hundred pounds each. But once placed them on my carpeted sound room (I tipped the Fed ex guy), it took little effort to get them out of the box and glide them across the floor. With Ed’s suggestion I used a sound meter and setup, after the units were in place, took 15-20 minutes. That’s all.

But let’s get down to it. How good did things sound and, for me, what was the difference between using one or two subs.

Blue Ray movies:
Wow. I used to have booming bass that made the room shake but was never detailed or directional. That all changed. The first thing that I noticed was that the dialogue and sound from the center channel was so much improved. Trains, planes and explosives always seemed to be rather centered, now they were very directional. Every sound was better and more distinct. And I didn’t get into sub-woofer “headache” territory, where you just wanted to lower it. This gets the highest rating I can give. Of particular interest were the details I heard for the very first time when Krypton blows up in Superman (1978)

DVD Movies: Of course DVD sound is not as good or full as blu ray. In some ways then, the sub-woofer does more work by making the sounds more dominate, distinct and full. Here also the movie music was just better.

I found it was best to raise the bass level one or two dbs when watching a movie on cable TV (Version). What stand out the best, again, is the deep music. There are scenes in “Women in Black” (2012) where there was just deep quiet then growing, creepy music that just sounded great and creepy.

For me the regular TV shows were better because of what wasn’t there. That is, they do not have great sound effects and music to begin with, but what they had was clearer. And as good as the subs were they could not help the Yankees score runs last week.

There are many people, like me, who have wondered whether to get one or two subs. There is no question to me now that two are just plain better on every level.

I can find no real downside to these subs although professional reviews must. The biggest complement: I would recommend these to my friends with any reservations whatsoever.

I just received my SVS SB -13 Ultra on Thursday and love it! It thoroughly blows away my former Martin Logan Abyss! Far deeper and more articulate. Since it's quite a bit larger, the WAF was lower, so I could only go with one!

Oh, it happened...

That's a very nice finish.

Thanks. Glossy piano-black is hard to photograph without proper equipment!

Yeah, I was going to say just that; piano-mirror black.

* I did read several pro reviews of that sub, and they were all excellent. ...This is a high-performance and high-value sub. ...Congrats John, and Barry!

Thank you. I think it offers tremendous value. I was all set to buy a JL Audio, but the dealer, who carries both, talked me into the SVS. "It has the same or even better performance for far less money."

You seem to have a nice and knowledgeable and honest and valuable audio dealer John.
...A rarity and a very desirable attribute to seek for in the pursuit of higher sound satisfaction.