SVS
Amplifiers
Soundbars
Speakers
Subwoofers
Best Known For
Subwoofers
/
Used Products
77
 Available
Average Price
$1,001-$2,500
Brand Popularity
22
 of 900+
Products Listed
40
Review Count
339
Founding Year
1998
Headquarters
United States
SVS
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What's unique about the brand

SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.

What reviewers are saying

We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:

  • SVS subwoofers often integrate sophisticated DSP (Digital Signal Processing) engines, accessible via a user-friendly smartphone app, allowing for precise adjustments to parameters like crossover frequencies, parametric EQ, and room gain compensation.
  • They prioritize the design of the woofer itself, often using lightweight yet rigid materials like aluminum or composite cones paired with powerful motor assemblies for exceptional excursion and controlled bass reproduction.
  • The brand offers different enclosure designs, such as sealed, ported, and cylindrical, to accommodate various room sizes, aesthetic preferences, and sonic goals.
  • SVS consistently earns high praise for the quality and responsiveness of its customer service, which includes generous trial periods, warranties, and upgrade policies, fostering a customer-centric experience.

Our favorite reviewer quotes:

  • "The SB16-Ultra is a truly impressive creation that delivers bass reproduction unlike anything else out there. There are many enthusiasts of sealed-box subs (SVS lists the SB13-Ultra as "the most reviewed and top-rated subwoofer in SVS history"), and for them the SB16-Ultra may well be the greatest subwoofer ever made." (https://hometheaterreview.com/svs-sb16-ultra-subwoofer-reviewed)
  • "With the SB16-Ultra, I could hear no distortion at all, even with the system cranked to the limits of what the main speakers could handle. It's the first time I've heard the bass tones fill the room on this tune, pressurizing the entire space with intense low-frequency energy." (https://hometheaterreview.com/svs-sb16-ultra-subwoofer-reviewed)
  • "Both SVS subs delivered quick, taut bass that produced that punchy feeling in my chest without ever losing control of the timing. I felt I was simultaneously reaping the rewards of large and small woofer cones: slam and pressure, and nimble speed." (https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/977-svs-sb-3000-subwoofer)
  • "The bass I heard from this small box, unassuming yet nice to look at, bordered on the difficult to believe -- very fast, very tight, very deep, with more than enough output to fill my 15'L x 12'W x 8'H room with sound-pressure levels that would satisfy all but the most demanding bass heads." (https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/977-svs-sb-3000-subwoofer)
  • "There was a phenomenal sense of speed to the bass -- it was fast, nimble, and exhilarating. All of this was delivered with big volume and big scale, completely belying the diminutive sizes of the NHTs and SVS sub." (https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1029-svs-sb-2000-pro-subwoofer)
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Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From Julian's interview with
.

Products

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We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.

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Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer

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Similar

Subwoofers

brands

Known For
Subwoofers
/
Average Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used Products
114
 Available
Brand Popularity
45
 of 900+
Headquarters
United States

About the brand

REL is widely recognized as the premier audiophile-grade subwoofer manufacturer, focusing exclusively on designing subwoofers that match the speed and clarity of high-end loudspeakers. Their higher-end models are specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with audiophile speakers, enhancing the soundstage and instrument separation rather than simply adding bass impact.

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Subwoofers
/
Average Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used Products
190
 Available
Brand Popularity
34
 of 900+
Headquarters
Germany

About the brand

Velodyne Acoustics pioneered the High-Gain Servo system that reduced bass distortion to less than 1% at 105 dB SPL, and holds more patents in subwoofer technology than any other manufacturer. The company introduced the world's first digital subwoofer with DSP technology in 2003, and their Digital Drive Room Bass Equalization System corrects room acoustics for optimal bass performance.

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

Digital High-Gain Servo Control

Velodyne was a pioneer in integrating real-time servo-feedback control in subwoofers. This patented technology uses an accelerometer to monitor and correct the diaphragm's movement with extreme precision, reducing distortion to less than 0.5%. This level of accuracy results in exceptionally clean, accurate bass even at high output levels, something most competitors can’t achieve.

Auto-EQ Plus Room Calibration

We also stand out with our Auto-EQ Plus system, which adapts the subwoofer’s output to the acoustics of any given room. Using a microphone for measurement, the system automatically adjusts the bass response for optimal performance, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustments.

What's your approach to customer support?

Customer support is extremely important to us. In most cases, customers should reach out to their local dealer or distributor first; they are trained to assist and provide fast, local solutions. However, our service team in Germany is always available for direct assistance when needed. We offer in-house repairs, spare parts (even for many legacy models), and we try to go above and beyond with trade-in options and consultation to keep Velodyne Acoustics products performing for decades.

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

"Royals" by Lorde (for tight, controlled bass dynamics)

"Why So Serious?" by Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight OST) (for deep extension and subsonic detail)

"No Sanctuary Here" by Chris Jones (for weight and rhythm in lower registers)

What other products pair best with yours?

We often see fantastic synergy with Wilson Audio speakers. Their clarity and dynamic range complement our fast, articulate subwoofers beautifully. For two-channel and home cinema alike, it’s a powerful match.

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Subwoofers
/
Average Price
$501-$1,000
Used Products
10
 Available
Brand Popularity
240
 of 900+
Headquarters
United States

About the brand

HSU Research is a hifi brand born from Dr. Poh Ser Hsu's passion for bass, starting with a seven-foot-tall subwoofer experiment that played notes beyond human hearing. Their VTF series features variable tuning technology that lets users switch between maximum output and maximum extension modes for both home theater and music, while their speakers use coaxial drivers for evenly dispersed sound and specialized woofers to solve common midrange issues.

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Subwoofers
/
Average Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used Products
48
 Available
Brand Popularity
109
 of 900+
Headquarters
United States

About the brand

JL Audio is a hifi brand known for its subwoofer technologies, including the Automatic Room Optimization system that minimizes room-induced bass peaks and the W-Cone unit-body cone-assembly for superior bass performance. The company manufactures many of its premium loudspeakers in the U.S. and includes advanced features like the CR-1 crossover for seamless integration between subwoofers and main speakers, while their VXi amplifiers use internal DSP for extensive sound customization.

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Known For
Subwoofers
/
Average Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used Products
4
 Available
Brand Popularity
300
 of 900+
Headquarters
United States

About the brand

JTR Speakers designs hifi speakers and subwoofers that use large waveguides and coaxial compression drivers to achieve extremely high output levels with minimal power, with models like the Noesis 212HT reaching 101 dB sensitivity and handling over 1300 watts. Their speakers and subwoofers, built with Baltic birch plywood instead of typical MDF, are known for delivering deep bass and precise imaging at high volumes, making them particularly suited for both home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles who demand maximum performance.

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

There isn't really anything on the market like ours. We're combining end high, audiophile speaker technology with concert speaker technology to give people the best of both worlds. There are some companies selling pro audio type speakers for home theater but they not incorporating ultra-high-end components like we are. The company KEF makes some really nice point source speakers which are acoustically similar having a concentric mid and high frequency devices. The JTR's will provide all the detail but then also much more dynamic capability. Our speakers are voiced natural and neutral so they aren't recessed but also not forward sounding.

What's your approach to customer support?

Email support direct via JTR Speakers or call/email support via dealer networks.

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

Jeff likes Hotel California, but we usually demo with home theater content to show the dynamics of our speakers.

What other products pair best with yours?

JBL Synthesis is likely the closest match tonality.

Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page

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