SVS introduces premium Ultra loudspeaker range

Audio brand SVS, probably best known in the UK for its subwoofers, has announced an all encompassing line of high-end loudspeakers. The so-called Ultra range promise "uncompromised performance at a price the average audio consumer can afford."

SVS president Gary Yacoubian says his developers have been meticulous when it came to choosing build materials and design elements for the new models. Produced by a development team headed by Mark Mason, the range includes a 45-inch tall trapezoidal tower, centre channel, bookshelf speaker and uniquely versatile surround speaker. SVS says that every model was subject to rigorous finite element analysis to deliver the best acoustic performance theoretically possible. Even the speaker grille design was optimised for utmost sonic transparency. Anechoic chamber measurements and final voicing were performed at the National Research Council facilities in Ottawa, where Mason and Yacoubian refined their final performance.  

The flagship model in the line-up is the Ultra Tower, which employs SVS's proprietary ForceFactor woofer array: two 8-inch drivers horizontally opposed to eliminate cabinet vibrations. The speaker's unusual trapezoidal shape results in non-parallel surfaces which reduce standing waves within the cabinet. 

Sibling speakers in the Ultra series have been designed to complement the Ultra Towers, with flush-mounted drivers to reduce diffraction and improve on-axis high frequency response, plus rear-mounted bass reflex ports (on the Tower, Bookshelf and Center) for maximum bass output and minimal frequency response degradation.

Other speakers in the group have been voiced to match, with rear-mounted bass reflex ports and flush-mounted drivers to reduce diffraction and improve on-axis high frequency response. The Ultra Center has a vertically aligned midrange driver and tweeter for improved horizontal dispersion, plus dual woofers. Intriguingly, the Ultra Surround can operate in bipole, dipole, or SVS's own Duet configuration. In the latter mode, SVS claims that just two rears can deliver a 7.1-channel surround sound experience. 

UK distributor for SVS, Karma-av, says that it's expecting the range to land in the UK next year. "The retail price for the Ultra package (minus subwoofer) is estimated at around £4300 when they appear," says the distributor.

For more on the the Kama-av SVS range visit www.karma-av.co.uk.
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