SVS PB16 Ultra Subwoofer Gloss Black

Product Information

Hearing, or feeling, subsonic notes is a treat and I thank SVS for engineering and producing a subwoofer that is capable of doing this while maintaining quality sound with low distortion. Bravo! A monster of a sub. Incredible depth and detail and perfect for intense, bone crushing bass. Competes with subwoofers costing much more." This is the scariest subwoofer I’ve ever played with. I am not able to go to the limit on this subwoofer. It makes the fur on my arms stand up." Shared across both subs is SVS's Sledge DSP amplifier, in this iteration rated at 1,500W continuous (and 5,000W peak) output. The PB16 is definitely a low-bass specialist, but it certainly doesn't give-up any mid-bass to the PB-2000 if the volume level is high. According to one highly-regarded test, listeners felt the strongest chest punch at about 63Hz, and at least a couple of subwoofer makers offer pre-programmed boosts at that frequency. So, let's compare max output at that 63Hz frequency. The PB16-Ultra’s close-miked response in Extended mode, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 15 Hz and the –6dB point is at 13 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 156 Hz using the LFE input.—MJP

Connectivity is the same on both models too, comprising stereo line-level input/output, LFE input and stereo balanced input/output for those with compatible processors. There's also a 12V trigger. Xmech (tech shorthand for “maximum mechanical before damage”) excursion and 65mm peak-to-peak Xmax (shorthand for “maximum linear”) excursion. The PB16, meanwhile, has a 95mm peak-to-peak Xmech excursion and an 82mm peak-to-peak Xmax. Put another way, the SB16 and PB16 cones have a linear range of motion of 2.56 inches and 3.23 inches, respectively. While the woofers are the same size and use similar components, the PB16-Ultra uses an underhung motor (with voice coil windings shorter than the height of the magnetic gap), while the SB16-Ultra uses an overhung motor (voice coil windings longer than the height of the magnetic gap), which is why their excursion specs are slightly different.While the result will not mimic the ruler-flat graphs posted by hardcore home-theater junkies with systems containing eight 18" subwoofers, this sub has enough power to support large EQ adjustments needed to flatten out the response in problematic rooms. SVS has taken clean, deep bass to another level. The 16-Ultras push the envelope in every respect.” The new 16-Ultra Series are the biggest and most powerful SVS subwoofers ever built and the culmination of all SVS engineering advancements, but that’s only part of the story. SVS designed a completely new driver, amplifier and cabinet, scrutinized every design element and pioneered 3 game-changing subwoofer innovations to achieve unprecedented output levels, extremelow frequency extension, near-perfect frequency response accuracy, and pinpoint transient response. With Edge of Tomorrow, it again handles the ultra-low tones at the beginning, and better delivers the varied chaos of the drop-ship scene.

I bought a used PB-2000 for my home theater setup which was awesome and got me into the SVS brand. I then recently upgraded to a single PB16-ultra. My issue with it is that it doesn't give me that ripping chest slam as the PB-2000 did. Why is that? I thought the PB16 would be way superior? In addition to the massive drivers, much of the weight of each sub can be attributed to the MDF construction, which is doubled for the front baffle and reinforced with internal bracing to support the driver and to ensure that it’s housed in an acoustically inert environment. The last thing you want is cabinet resonance ruining your bass party. Each subwoofer is powered by a 1,500-watt continuous-power (and a claimed 5,000-plus-watt peak dynamic power) Sledge Class D amplifier coupled with a 50-megahertz Analog Devices DSP chip. The rear panels of the subwoofers are pretty sparse but include a connector for a detachable power cord, the on/off switch, balanced XLR and single-ended RCA stereo/inputs (and outputs without high-pass filters), and a trigger input. Tight and natural sounding. The SVS SB16-Ultra was capable of subtlety but also brought grandeur when asked. Hit hard when it needed to and had a soft touch in those moments when less-is-more. It never strained at any volume, no matter how loud I cranked it. At times beautiful and other times thunderous. A top-notch subwoofer." The sub is large and heavy—necessary qualities when you want to generate bass at extreme decibel levels. It's ported, and SVS supplies three foam inserts that plug the vents. Extended mode is notable because it delivers more infrasonic bass—9 dB extra at 16 Hz per the CEA-2010 test—than using all three ports. This comes at the expensive of just one or two dB output at higher frequencies and is the configuration I preferred.Stunningly Powerful, New Sledge Amplifier with Fully Discrete MOSFET Output and 1,500 Watts Continuous, 5,000+ Watts Peak Power.