By Subwoofers are often viewed as a necessary addition for home theater systems, but in high-performance music playback systems, they can be just as critical to sonic success. SVS has built a reputation for making subwoofers that deliver the kind of low-end impact that movie buffs crave, while maintaining the control and finesse that audiophiles demand. The SVS PB-17 Ultra (buy at Crutchfield) represents the upper echelon of the SVS lineup, and it delivers in both respects – with unapologetic scale and surprising finesse. This beast of a subwoofer recently found a home in my reference system, and after weeks of testing, it is clear SVS designed the PB-17 Ultra to be a true reference-level performer.
Today, SVS Sound is one of the better-known subwoofer companies in the United States, with fast-growing appeal globally. The company started in the late 1990s by making competitively-priced performance-oriented subwoofers. SVS has expanded its lineup to include accessories and equally high-value audiophile-grade loudspeakers, but subwoofers remain the mainstay of the SVS Sound product lineup, and that’s never likely to change. SVS has five active series of subwoofers, with ported and sealed options within each series. Future Audiophile has reviewed several current and past subwoofer models over the years; the reviews can be found on our subwoofer review page.
A few years ago, I purchased a pair of SVS’ PB-4000 subwoofers for my main listening room, which also does double duty as a pretty capable projector-based home theater. The SVS 4000 series was one step down from the top-of-the-line series and the “PB” nomenclature indicates the ported box version. The sealed box models have “SB” in their names to designate them as sealed boxes. While I was happy with the performance of the PB-4000s, as an audiophile junkie, I occasionally wondered if the top-of-the-line series, then the Ultra-16, would offer significantly better performance.
Whenever I saw SVS at an audiophile or consumer electronics show, I would ask if there was something new that would be a good upgrade from my SVS PB-4000. The answer was always “not yet,” until about a year ago, when it changed to “something is coming soon.” Needless to say, that got my attention. Shortly after that, I started getting information on the new 17 Ultra series and even saw one at CEDIA in Denver. I was expecting modest upgrades from the prior Ultra series, but the differences between the prior version and the 17 Ultra series are anything but modest. Even before I opened the well-designed shipping boxes, I noticed that they were bigger and noticeably heavier than the PB-4000 boxes. This should have come as no surprise, as the ported SVS PB-17 Ultra enclosure measures 25 inches high by 21.7 inches wide and 29.3 inches deep (with grille) and weighs in at 164.7 pounds. I am used to moving large speakers by myself. These were not terrible to move around on the same floor, but when it came time to get them upstairs, I enlisted the help of my teenage son. To quote Detective Harry Callahan, “A man has got to know his limitations,” and moving the PB-17 Ultra upstairs was beyond my limit.
The industrial design differs from prior generations of SVS subwoofers. The grille is a more traditional flat speaker cloth grille that covers the entire front baffle. The small display panel from the top of front baffle has been relocated to the back panel, along with the suite of connection ports. While I thought the curved, perforated metal panels looked cooler, SVS noted they had received requests for the flat front grilles to allow more flexibility with installations. Relocating the display to the back allowed SVS to keep from having to make the cabinet even taller. The majority of the front baffle is comprised of a row of three four-inch port openings across the bottom, just under the 17-inch driver. As I never used the panel, other than to occasionally confirm a setting, this was non-issue from a functionality standpoint.
The PB-17 Ultra is available in two finishes, piano gloss black and a less glossy black oak veneer. The large rear panel has the above-mentioned display unit with control buttons, balanced and single-ended stereo inputs and outputs, IR and trigger control ports, and a USB port for the optional SoundPath wireless adapter. An IEC power cable port and power switch are at the bottom portion. The box also comes with a heavy-duty six-foot power cable, foam port plugs and small iso-elastomer feet.
What Makes the SVS Sound PB-17 Ultra Subwoofer Special?
- The SVS PB-17 and SVS SB-17 Ultra both come with an all-new 17-inch driver. The driver is not just bigger than all the prior drivers; if the driver was simply bigger, I would be worried about a driver that is not well-controlled. The bigger the cone, the harder it is to control, due to additional weight and uncontrolled flexing. SVS is utilizing a glass fiber composite material for the cone to find the right balance of stiffness and weight. The drivers are held in place with proprietary rubber surrounds and Nomex spiders to provide linear pistonic movement. The assembly is held together with a robust cast-aluminum basket. The large driver is a big contributing factor to the PB-17’s prodigious, low-reaching output. The frequency response for the PB-17 is stated as 14 Hz-220 Hz in standard mode, 12 Hz-220 Hz in extended mode and 14-320 Hz in sealed mode. All are +/- 3dB.
- The driver has dual voice coils driven by a dual mono amplifier. The 17 Ultra series are the only subwoofers I am aware of that have dual voice coil drivers being driven by a dual mono amplifier. The voice coils are eight inches in diameter and made from four-layer copper-clad aluminum. SVS is using two Class-D monoblock amplifiers with MOSFET output stages and switch mode power supplies to maximize control of the driver, while providing gobs of precise, controlled power to move large amounts of air, while being efficient enough to work off of a typical 15-amp power circuit. SVS claims that the amplifiers put out 2,800 watts RMS and up to 6,000 watts of peak power, making them the most powerful consumer subwoofer amplifiers.
- The SVS app and upgraded DSP capacity provide all of the features and technology we have come to appreciate from SVS, plus something new. If you have used an SVS subwoofer in recent history, you are familiar with their well-developed app, which provides control over nearly aspect of the subwoofer. The app controls such things as crossovers, volume, phase, parametric equalization, room gain compensation and more. If you want different presets for movies and music, you can do that, too. The ported models in the SVS lineup come with three modes: standard, extended and sealed, depending on how many foam plugs you use in the ports. SVS is adding a new feature, Auto EQ Room Correction. Unfortunately, this over-the-air update was not released in time for me to evaluate it for this review.
- SVS has amazing customer service. This service goes beyond the warranty service that we would hope that all audiophile products would provide. I have called SVS’ customer service line several times over the years, as a normal consumer without press contact introductions. Every time I have called, the person I spoke with was knowledgeable and helpful with regard to product selection and/or setup. The customer service representatives asked lots of questions to make sure you had the right gear, not necessarily the most expensive gear. During setup, the customer service line provided solid advice and offered to review my REW measurements to assist in getting the perfect calibration.
Why Should You Care About the SVS PB-17 Ultra?
The short answer is: performance. The longer answer is that the PB-17 Ultra is one of the rare subwoofers that can deliver reference-level output, and do so with refinement and tunability. It is not just about loudness or rumble; it’s about maintaining clarity and composure at any volume level.
During my time with the PB-17 Ultra, I was consistently impressed by how well it integrated into both music and movie playback. In two-channel listening sessions, it blended with my Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature (read my review) and Revel F328Be speakers (read my review) to fill out the bottom end without overwhelming the rest of the frequency spectrum. In multichannel movie sessions, it had no trouble energizing the room during demanding sequences.
The flexibility in tuning and EQ makes this subwoofer suitable for a wide range of room sizes and system configurations. The SVS app makes it easy to make changes on the fly from your listening position, which is particularly helpful during setup and calibration.
Some Things You Might Not Like About the SVS PB-17 Ultra Subwoofer
- The SVS PB-17 Ultra is big and heavy. Yes, I understand that “there is no replacement for displacement” when it comes to making bass. That said, this is a very large, very heavy subwoofer, and it simply will not work in everyone’s room configurations. This is not like the SVS Micro 3000 that you can easily hide in your room. While the 17 Ultra series is available in two attractive finishes, gloss black or black oak veneer, there is no getting around the fact that there will be a huge black box in your room.
- I didn’t love the non-upgraded feet included with the SVS PB-17 Ultra. The SVS PB-17 Ultra comes with the same small, iso-elastomer cone feet that raise the subwoofer about a half inch off the ground. I had replaced the feet on my prior subwoofers with SVS’ optional SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System, so I had forgotten about the standard feet. I highly recommend the option of the SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System, as they make the subwoofer easier to move and provide some isolation, which I found noticeable in the room below where the subwoofer was installed. Note: the SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System comes in a four-pack and six-pack option. You will want a six-pack for a PB-17 installation.
Listening to the SVS PB-17 Ultra Ported Subwoofer …
I set up the SVS PB-17 Ultra in two different systems. The first was a two-channel system, with Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature speakers being driven by an ArgentPur Duo GAN-FET Class-D amplifier (review coming) and my elderly but capable Krell Phantom preamplifier. The source was a Marantz SACD 30n. All cabling was by Wireworld.
To test musical performance, I started with Gregory Porter’s “Holding On” via Qobuz. Through the PB-17 Ultra, Porter’s voice maintained its usual warmth and depth, but what stood out was the added weight to Aaron James’ double bass. Bass notes were rounded, full, and textured, without a hint of bloat. The room filled with a sense of dimensionality that made the performance feel more lifelike. Removing the subwoofer from the mix noticeably impacted the weight of the lower bass notes. I didn’t want the subwoofer removed from the system, plain and simple.
Next, I turned to Taylor Swift’s “Vigilante Shit” (Qobuz), a track with precise, synthesized bass hits. The PB-17 Ultra maintained the quickness of the transients, while adding a visceral impact that could be felt in the chest. This was a useful reminder that, while the SVS PB-17 Ultra is a behemoth, it is not a blunt instrument. It can be nimble when it needs to be. Ported subwoofers aren’t supposed to perform like this, meaning nimbly, but the SVS PB-17 does.
To further push the limits with two-channel audio, I played “Angel” by Massive Attack (from Compact Disc), which features long, sustained basslines. The SVS PB-17 Ultra never lost grip, producing the lowest notes with control and authority. There was no overhang, just clean, thunderous energy.
The second system where I installed the PB-17 Ultra was my primary theater room with a Marantz AV10 processor, AMP10 amplifier, and Revel F328Be speakers for the front mains, with the C426Be holding down the center channel. Those of you who have been reading my articles for a while know I like dual subwoofers. SVS was kind enough to send me two PB-17 Ultras, so I enlisted the help of my teenage son to move my big and heavy SVS PB-4000s out of the room and replace them with the slightly bigger SVS PB-17 Ultras.
Once I got everything dialed in with both subwoofers, I put on an old favorite, the Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over (DTS-CD). When I got to the track “Hotel California,” I paid close attention to the drums that were reproduced with authority and detail. I never found this track to push the pair of SVS PB-4000s, so I cannot say that the Ultras played louder or harder, but they did play with more detail. This was particularly notable with the speed of the leading edges.
Sticking with 5.1 audio but turning up the intensity, I tried Insane Clown Posse’s “Ain’t Yo Bidness” (DTS-CD). This is definitely not an audiophile recording, nor one I would play around my son when he was younger, but it does have over-the-top bass that can overwhelm some audio systems. No surprise, the pair of SVS PB-17 Ultras easily pressurized the room. I unplugged one subwoofer and adjusted the level of the other to compensate and tried again. One PB-17 Ultra had no problems with my almost 2,000-cubic-foot room. There was no deterioration of sound quality due to increased load of the single subwoofer. That said, I still recommend dual subwoofers in most rooms, as room modes cannot simply be fixed with equalization of a single subwoofer. Multiple subwoofers carefully placed in your room will provide the most consistent sound across the widest area.
Will the SVS PB-17 Ultra Subwoofer Hold Its Value?
I believe the PB-17 Ultra is likely to retain its value well, compared to many competitors. SVS has a strong reputation for product support, warranties, and consistent performance. The use of app-based control and firmware updates gives the PB-17 Ultra a longer technological shelf life. Moreover, its physical construction and high-performance capabilities will continue to appeal to serious listeners well into the future.
The only potential concern is the continued miniaturization of performance in smaller enclosures. But for now, the PB-17 Ultra remains in a class of its own when it comes to combining brute force with fine control.
That said, if and when you want to sell the PB-17 Ultra, or any large and heavy piece of gear, the shipping logistics will greatly complicate things and add to the expense. I save my boxes, so packing should be relatively easy as long as I have some strong backs to help, but shipping costs will be significant if it’s not a local sale.
What Is the Competition for the SVS PB-17 Ultra Subwoofer?
One subwoofer that immediately comes to mind is the massive RBH Unrivaled 21-SF/R ($11,995). This ginormous, nearly 400-pound subwoofer features a custom driver that can readily produce significant amounts of infrasonic bass. I have not heard this particular subwoofer, but have found RBH’s smaller offerings to be capable.
The MartinLogan BalancedForce 212 ($4,499 – read the review), recently reviewed by Future Audiophile, is another capable large subwoofer that takes a completely different design approach, with dual 12-inch drivers in a horizontally opposed configuration. While the total cone area is similar to the single 17-inch driver of the SVS PB-17 Ultra, I suspect that the SVS PB-17 Ultra has more output. The MartinLogan subwoofer comes with their excellent equalization software, which may provide an advantage. SVS’ equalization software was not yet available as of the time I wrote this, so I was unable to make a comparison.
SVS’ own SB-17 Ultra ($2,699 – buy at Crutchfield) is significantly smaller than its ported brother, a little cheaper and will still provide more output than most situations would ever need. While the larger, ported PB version can produce more energy when needed, or be configured to run in sealed mode, there is a very significant size and weight difference between the SB and PB versions of this subwoofer that might make the sealed version a better option. I say this without taking sides as to whether sealed or ported subwoofers are better; it depends on many factors.
Final Thoughts on the SVS PB-17 Ultra Subwoofer …
The SVS PB-17 Ultra (buy at Crutchfield) is not just a subwoofer … it’s a system cornerstone. It has the nuance to reveal low-frequency textures in music you may not have noticed before, as well as the power to elevate movies to cinematic heights. Its size and output capabilities make it best suited for larger rooms, but its thoughtful design and software control allow it to be tailored to a wide range of environments.
Yes, it is large. Yes, it is heavy. And yes, you will need to spend time dialing it in. The upcoming release of the Auto EQ software will likely streamline that, but I find the SVS customer service to be among the best, and they will gladly help you set up your subwoofer. Once integrated, the PB-17 Ultra delivers a level of performance that makes its price seem like a bargain. For those who demand serious low-end performance and are willing to make room for it, the SVS PB-17 Ultra earns my highest recommendation and that accolade doesn’t come easily. This is a very serious subwoofer.
