SVS Ultra Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed

[Porscheguy]

As I thought, these Ultra speakers (bookshelf speakers at least) are superb. At least this reviewer claims..

hometheaterreview.com/svs-ultra-bookshelf-speaker-reviewed/

[Pauly]

They certainly look good! They really need a wood finish though. Like a nice rosenut.

[Deleted]

Well, the review I read didn't translate to superb?

"The tweeter, while good, can become a little flat and thus take a bit of the air out of the Ultra Bookshelf's sails when pushed. This isn't uncommon among bookshelf speakers, especially those in this budget range, but nevertheless, it is worth mentioning should you like your music loud."

Looks like my Emo ERM-1 would outperform it at least in the higher range for power handling. The Emo is also somewhat heavier per cu inch of enclosure. That means better build quality and perhaps better performance except that the ERM-1 is designed to roll off quickly below 80Hz which for me is the way a smaller bookshelf speaker should be designed.

I would like to see this speaker reviewed with some test measurements. This review wasn't much more than a rehash of SVS specs.

I'm not all that impressed with the Ultra Bookshelf Speaker so far. Photos look very nice but how's the measured performance? Sorry Ed but the HTR reviews just don't do much for my curiosity.

"While it's not perfect nor without competition, the Ultra Bookshelf should be on your must-audition list if you're in the market for a solid pair of affordable bookshelf loudspeakers." (That's almost a verbatim repeat of how Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review used to end about 90% of his speaker reviews. ;D ;D ;D)

[Deleted]

Nah, Julian woulda wrote: "Of all the products I've ever reviewed, this is one of them..." <smirk>

-RW-

[Deleted]

If I was in the market for bookshelf speakers, these Gallos would be waaayyyy ahead of the SVS offerings. And, they're $200 cheaper for the pair:

www.roundsound.com/classico-cl-2.php

-RW-

[Deleted]

Feb 20, 2013 13:04:58 GMT -5 @rlw said:

Nah, Julian woulda wrote: "Of all the products I've ever reviewed, this is one of them..." <smirk>

-RW-

;D ;D ;D

[Porscheguy]

Feb 20, 2013 3:37:05 GMT -5 @chuckienut said:

Well, the review I read didn't translate to superb?

"The tweeter, while good, can become a little flat and thus take a bit of the air out of the Ultra Bookshelf's sails when pushed. This isn't uncommon among bookshelf speakers, especially those in this budget range, but nevertheless, it is worth mentioning should you like your music loud."

Looks like my Emo ERM-1 would outperform it at least in the higher range for power handling. The Emo is also somewhat heavier per cu inch of enclosure. That means better build quality and perhaps better performance except that the ERM-1 is designed to roll off quickly below 80Hz which for me is the way a smaller bookshelf speaker should be designed.

I would like to see this speaker reviewed with some test measurements. This review wasn't much more than a rehash of SVS specs.

I'm not all that impressed with the Ultra Bookshelf Speaker so far. Photos look very nice but how's the measured performance? Sorry Ed but the HTR reviews just don't do much for my curiosity.

"While it's not perfect nor without competition, the Ultra Bookshelf should be on your must-audition list if you're in the market for a solid pair of affordable bookshelf loudspeakers." (That's almost a verbatim repeat of how Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review used to end about 90% of his speaker reviews. ;D ;D ;D)

I DID say according to this reviewer... And he did give them 4.5 stars... and he also said...


High Points
• The Ultra Bookshelf's build quality is beyond reproach at its price, possessing one of the sturdier cabinets and nicer finishes I've seen to date.
• SVS's sales practices, specifically the company's "Customer Bill of Rights," are among the best in the business. With free shipping (both ways) extended to would-be consumers, along with a 45-day in-home trial, the risk of seeing if the Ultra Bookshelf is for you is next to nil.
• The Ultra Bookshelf's frequency response feels and sounds near full-range, meaning in certain situations the need for a subwoofer may prove moot.
• The Ultra Bookshelf's bass and mid-bass articulation is staggering for a two-way monitor. Its midrange prowess is also quite nice, as I found it rendered vocals faithfully, with realistic scale and, in most instances, weight.
• The Ultra Bookshelf's soundstage is vast, preferring width of over depth, as it can sound near 3D when set up properly.
• The Ultra Bookshelf, while coming across as a largely neutral, accurate loudspeaker, doesn't seem to editorialize or criticize source material, meaning it should be a good fit for a wide variety of setups and musical tastes.


I know I'm not as old as you, (but close). Where I come from, this is a very good review... and you know, I'll be t these speakers sound great. In fact I'm thinking about buying a whole HT setup.

[Porscheguy]

Feb 20, 2013 13:07:14 GMT -5 @rlw said:

If I was in the market for bookshelf speakers, these Gallos would be waaayyyy ahead of the SVS offerings. And, they're $200 cheaper for the pair:

www.roundsound.com/classico-cl-2.php

-RW-

How do you know? Have you heard the SVS? Have you even heard the Gallo bookshelves :-)

You've been pimping anything Gallo forever, so I'm not surprised :-) :-)

[garym]

Feb 20, 2013 3:37:05 GMT -5 @chuckienut said:

I would like to see this speaker reviewed with some test measurements. This review wasn't much more than a rehash of SVS specs.

All reviews from that site are like that. Lots of superlatives and metaphors, but zero information content. Always suspected they were commissioned by the manufacturer.

[stiehl11]

Though I haven't heard these in person it looks like (on paper) I'd take my Phase Tech PC-1.5 over these:

SVS
Rated bandwidth: 45 Hz-32 kHz (+/-3 dB).
Nominal impedance: 8 ohms.
Sensitivity: 87 dB (2.83V @ 1 meter full-space, 300-3kHz).
Recommended amplifier power: 20-150 watts.

Phase Tech
Frequency Response (+/- 3 dB): 40 Hz - 22 kHz
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Impedance: 4 Ohms
Recommended Amp Power: 20 - 150 W

Oh, and they also cost $120 less than the SVS.

[Deleted]

Feb 20, 2013 19:40:28 GMT -5 Porscheguy said:

..... this is a very good review... and you know, I'll be t these speakers sound great. In fact I'm thinking about buying a whole HT setup.

Ed, I think your choice of "superb" was a little bit of an exaggeration from what I read. The tweeter is my main concern. I agree on very good, but I would like to see a review from HT, S&V or Audioholics. ;D


PS: Ed David RW, I think David Ed just called you a pimp! (This thread might get real interesting real fast! ..... rumble, rumble!) ;D ;D ;D

Hey, wait a minute! Did someone just call me old?

[drunkskeeterpilot]

I actually do own the full line of SVS Ultras -- towers, bookshelves, surrounds, center, as well as two of the PC13Ultra subs.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to hear any of their competitors... only the relative junk (most of it, anyway) they sell at BB Magnolia and Fry's.

I haven't heard Gallo, but I'd be interested to, based off the specs:

SVS Ultra Bookshelf:
Rated bandwidth: 45 Hz-32 kHz (+/-3 dB)


CLASSICO CL-2:
Frequency Response 39Hz - 22kHz +/- 3dB
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SVS Ultra Tower:
Rated bandwidth: 28 Hz-32 kHz (+/-3 dB).

CLASSICO CL-4:

26Hz - 22kHz +/- 3dB
-----------------------------------------------------------------

SVS PB13Ultra:
STA-1000D Sledge with 1000 watts RMS continuous power (3600 watts peak dynamic power)
17-200 Hz +/- 3 dB (20 Hz mode)

14-200 Hz +/- 3 dB (16 Hz mode)

21-200 Hz +/- 3 dB (sealed mode)

CL-S 12 Sub
Frequency Response 16Hz – 200Hz +/-3dB


I like the look of the Classico, but I still prefer the SVS's non-parallel design, which I've never really seen in any other brand. I do hate the piano gloss finish (looks cheap to me), which is why all of mine were ordered with the wood veneer.
Also, from what I can see, the Gallo subs are all sealed. I'm fairly certain the air movement (room loading ability) of SVS subs, with their 13" woofer and triple port design, is superior.
SVS seems to use larger woofer sizes, in general, compared to Gallo, as well as larger cabinets.
The pricing of the Gallo are quite a bit more attractive, however, so I'd definitely be interested in checking them out, if only to do a comparison...

As for the SVS Ultras, I've been able to set them up in a couple different room sizes -- a large, open, upstairs living room (about 26' by 22') to a slightly smaller den space (22' by 16'). Consideration is needed for the towers having two 8" side-firing subs each, since it really helps to give them ample breathing room. They will sound not nearly as deep, nor as powerful, if they are squished too close to furniture, or walls.

I'm waiting to complete my set with two of the PB13Ultra subs for essentially 7.8 channel surround sound (unless I feel the need to invest toward Dolby Atmos, at which point I'll require 2-4 additional speakers, mounted overhead).

I can see the question you have -- why on earth so much sub? Well, you see -- my ultimate goal in picking SVS was to recreate the sonic experience I had watching Tron:Legacy at the IMAX Omni theatre in Fort Worth -- albeit, on a much smaller scale. I feel like I'm 80% there, based on the few full-volume demos I've held with friends. Just a bit more low end pressure needed, and better amplification on the passives... so yes, I'd say that SVS is definitely worth investing into. However, I should caution you against buying anything less than their Ultra series, if you're even semi-serious about sound quality and output. You will normally get a discount for buying multiple speakers at once, also.

Feb 20, 2013 19:43:43 GMT -5 Porscheguy said:

Feb 20, 2013 13:07:14 GMT -5 @rlw said:

If I was in the market for bookshelf speakers, these Gallos would be waaayyyy ahead of the SVS offerings. And, they're $200 cheaper for the pair:

www.roundsound.com/classico-cl-2.php

-RW-

How do you know? Have you heard the SVS? Have you even heard the Gallo bookshelves :-)

You've been pimping anything Gallo forever, so I'm not surprised :-) :-)