SVS has set the subwoofer world on notice yet again with the launch of their new 4000 series subwoofers that promise to raise the performance bar yet again. The SVS 4000 Series subwoofers borrow heavily from the company’s flagship SVS 16-Ultra Series. The SVS 16-Ultra subwoofer line has won nearly every industry award in 2017, including the CES Innovations Best of Innovation for High Performance Audio and the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) “2017 Best Subwoofer.” The SVS’ SB16-Ultra anchors our reference setup here at the Poor Audiophile and we can’t say enough good things about it.
SVS’ 4000 Series subwoofers promise to deliver reference-quality bass at an incredible value. The 4000 Series is comprised of three subwoofer designs: sealed, ported, and cylindrical.
The SB-4000 is a sealed cabinet subwoofer, the PB-4000 a ported cabinet subwoofer, and the PC-4000 is ported cylinder cabinet subwoofer. The company says that each new SVS model features advancements to the driver, amplifier, cabinet and overall user experience that outpace anything available in the industry. The result, SVS claims, is massive and effortless low frequency output below the threshold of human hearing, with accuracy in frequency response and pinpoint speed in transients, priced below lesser performing “reference” subwoofers.
4000 Series Subwoofer driver design
The SVS 4000 Series subwoofers feature 13.5-inch high excursion drivers. The proprietary SVS design features a dual ferrite magnet motor assembly weighing nearly 40 lbs. and delivering immense magnetic force to a 13.5-inch drive unit with long-throw parabolic surround for extreme excursion, SPLs and longevity. SVS says that the lightweight and rigid composite cone with glass fiber dustcap moves massive amounts of air to create tactile sonic energy without ever flexing or losing control. The result? Raw power at even the most intense listening levels.
Amplifier Design
The driver is driven by a sophisticated Sledge STA-1200D amplifier that combines the high current output of discrete MOSFETs with Class D efficiency. The unique design unleashes nearly limitless on-demand power while maintaining precise driver control, so the 4000 Series can be pushed beyond reference playback levels without flinching, and still achieve accurate frequency response. When SVS says on-demand power, they mean it. The RMS amplifier is rated at 1,200 watts RMS capable of delivering an astounding 4,000+ watts of peak power.
SVS says that active Power Factor Correction (PFC) within the 4000 Series serves as a line conditioner, surge suppressor and voltage regulator, letting the amplifier deal with wide voltage fluctuations and ensuring the subwoofers operate flawlessly on any household circuit no matter how unstable the incoming current. An isolated circuit within each subwoofer creates a vanishingly low noise floor by eliminating the potential for ground loop hums from outside components resulting in absolute sonic transparency.
Powerful DSP and App control
On top of the raw power of the Sledge amplifier, you’ll find a 50 MHz Analog Devices Audio DSP with 56-bit filtering. SVS claims it is the most sophisticated DSP engine ever used in a home audio subwoofer. The vast processing power enables “pristine output and refinement that’s true to the source material” according to SVS. The DSP also unlocks each sub’s “intelligence” through precise tuning features, optimized frequency response curves, sophisticated user controls and more.
You can control the subwoofer’s DSP features and volume from SVS’ smartphone app for iOS and Android and take advantage of advanced subwoofer tuning and control. The SVS mobile app was originally launched with the SVS’ flagship 16-Ultra subwoofers. The SVS app controls polarity, room gain, phase alignment, volume, parametric EQs and stores custom music, home theater and other presets for easy one-touch tuning.
It’s the simplest way to optimize bass response below the limits of human hearing from any seat in the house. If you’ve ever had to calibrate a sub manually, you’ll appreciate that you won’t have to go back and forth from the subwoofer to the listening position to calibrate. For added convenience, bi-directional feedback shows updates in real time on both the app and subwoofer interface and Bluetooth connectivity allows adjustments to be made when the subwoofer is not in sight. Control is also available via IR remote and a front panel display.
In our experience reviewing SVS subs here at the Poor Audiophile, they are built like tanks and the 4000 Series is no exception. The SVS 4000 Series Subwoofers cabinets are built with double thick MDF and rigid internal bracing to support the drive unit and ensure an acoustically inert environment. The highly reinforced internal design eliminates any chance of coloration or resonance from the cabinet, even when the deepest low frequencies are played at reference sound pressure levels.
“While the rest of the industry is chasing benchmarks SVS established with the 16-Ultra series, we raised the bar and redefined what is possible at even lower price points, taking the finest technology available and applying it in a way that lets more people than ever enjoy the breathtaking benefits of reference quality bass,” said Gary Yacoubian, SVS President and Managing Partner. “Audiophiles and home theater fans who understand high performance audio will recognize what a genuine accomplishment the 4000 Series is after the first bassline drops or action movie erupts to life. And for the price, there’s simply nothing in the same area code.”
SVS 4000 Series subwoofer models
A more detailed description of the three SVS 4000 Series subwoofer models follows:
SVS SB-4000 Subwoofer: Sealed Cabinet Design
Chest-thumping slam and extreme low frequency extension with pinpoint accuracy and refined musicality can be used to describe the SB-4000. SVS says that the SB-4000’s sophisticated DSP amplifier, innovative driver and a sealed box design master room gain and command a space with deeper bass and higher output levels than what is typically possible from a subwoofer of its size.
Frequency Response:
- 19-310Hz +/-3 dB
Max Low Frequency Output:
- 126.8dB @ 32Hz 1/8 space 1m
SVS PB-4000 Subwoofer: Ported Cabinet Design
The specs of the PB-4000 are impressive with staggering low-frequency output and subterranean deep bass extension down to 13Hz. This is made for action movie buffs and ardent audiophiles. Includes three port tuning modes, each with individual response curves to achieve the most accurate in-room frequency response possible.
Frequency Response:
- 16Hz to 200Hz +/-3dB (standard mode)
- 13Hz to 200Hz +/-3dB (extended mode)
- 18Hz to 200Hz +/-3dB (sealed mode)
Max Low Frequency Output:
- 134.5dB @ 32Hz 1/8 space 1m
SVS PC-4000 Subwoofer: Ported Cylinder Cabinet Design
Most consumers aren’t accustomed to seeing cylindrical subs but there’s no better way get raw power in a footprint-friendly form factor. With a footprint measuring just 16” in diameter, the iconic cylinder subwoofer design is only available from SVS and achieves matchless low frequency output and deep bass extension per inch of floor-space. The PC-4000 features three port tuning modes and comes standard with the SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System for cleaner sounding bass with increased definition and more punch without room rattle and reduced bass bleed to the rest of the house.
Frequency Response:
- 17Hz to 200Hz +/-3dB (standard mode)
- 15Hz to 200Hz +/-3dB (extended mode)
- 16Hz to 200Hz +/-3dB (sealed mode)
Max Low Frequency Output:
- 133.1dB @ 32Hz 1/8 space 1m
4000 Series subwoofers shipping now
The 4000 Series is shipping now. The SB-4000 and PB-4000 are available in a premium black ash or piano gloss black finishes and come standard with a protective, non-resonant steel mesh grille. The PC-4000 features a piano gloss black top cap.
Pricing for the 4000 Series Subwoofers:
- SB-4000: Premium Black Ash – $1,499.99, Piano Gloss Black – $1599.99
- PB-4000: Premium Black Ash – $1,899.99, Piano Gloss Black – $1999.99
- PC-4000: Piano Gloss Black – $1799.99
For more information, please visit www.svsound.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter.
