SVS Ultra 16 Series SB16-Ultra and PB16-Ultra subwoofers: Feature specification, price and availability

SVS is premiering what it describes as ‘the most important product launch in SVS history’ at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, which runs October 7 -9. Its new Ultra 16 Series comprises the sealed box SB16-Ultra and ported PB16-Ultra; the duo each sport a huge 16-inch driver with an 8-inch edge wound voice coil. 

Build quality and design appear formidable. The cone material consists of a fiberglass resin composite designed to move extreme amounts of air and sonic energy without flexing.

Providing the muscle is a Class D Sledge STA-1500D amplifier with fully discrete MOSFET output, capable of 1,500 watts continuous or 5,000+ watts peak. The 50 MHz DSP is from Analog Devices and offers 56bit filtering, the most advanced DSP deployed in an SVS sub.

The new subs are accompanied by a smartphone app (available for iOS and Android) offering DSP and bass management control. The 16-Ultra app manages polarity, room gain, phase alignment, parametric EQ and other DSP functions, as well as storing custom presets. Installers can fine tune bass down to 16Hz from any seat in the house. Bi-directional feedback shows updates in real time on both the app and subwoofer interface and Bluetooth connectivity allows adjustments to be made when subwoofer is not in sight. Control is also available via IR remote and a front panel display.

The cabinet design of the 16-Ultra Series employs a double thick MDF front baffle and rigid internal bracing to support the drive unit and to ensure an acoustically inert environment.

                    Also read
                    SVS Prime speaker family loves movies, plays movies too
                    Mark Levinson lands No 526 audiophile preamplifier

“The Ultra Series subwoofers have been the most important SVS products for so long that we knew our newest iteration had to be groundbreaking on many levels. I challenged our engineering team to create a signature subwoofer line for the entire industry and not just for SVS and to push the boundaries of innovation and performance as much as possible,” says Gary Yacoubian, SVS president. “We set out to create the reference standard for all subwoofers and shake the foundations of the audio world by making this level of world class experience available to more people than ever before, and I think the world will agree with me. We did it.”

The 16-Ultra Series will start shipping Stateside from November, priced at $2000 for the sealed SB16-Ultra and $2500 for the ported PB16-Ultra. Both models are available in black oak or piano gloss black and come with a protective, non-resonant steel mesh grille.

SVS is distributed by Karma-AV in the UK. For more stories about SVS and Karma’s range of products and services, visit our partner page here.