Customer Reviews: SB-1000

I find the SB-1000 to be a relatively small attractive unobtrusive package that provides deep bass, both smooth and accurate for critical classical music listening, yet also powerful and thunderous for accompanying TV-home theater viewing. The selection of controls and connections allow for easy adaptability to an older stereo receiver-speaker system. Hopefully the reliability, longevity and consistency of the SB-1000 will match current performance.

In summary, the SVS SB-1000 is exactly what I needed – a small foot print sub that has a tight, strong punch to provide a tamed but, nevertheless, emphatic emphasis for classical music, gives the umpf to pop styles when needed and has sufficient flexibility for an atypical room setup. This is the first SVS product that I’ve owned. Build quality and operational aspects certainly lived up to the reviews I read. I received the sub within 3 days of ordering it on the web. My wife, a mechanical engineer, was impressed with the way it was packaged for shipment. I’m more than happy with my purchase. Read on if you want to know more about my installation and use of the sub.

I needed a “music” sub to complete a small, stereo, music-only system that I had recently set up in a smallish den, my primary work/play area. Space for the system was limited. The components, except for the sub, had to fit on my desktop and leave room to work. The speakers had to fit on the 12 in. high middle shelf of a bookshelf that is on my desk.

My music source consists of an occasional CD played via a portable player but mostly audio streamed via a Logitech Squeeze Box from a NAS box to which I have ripped (flac format) over 600 classical, jazz, pop and traditional CDs.
As originally purchased, the system consisted of a Wyred-4-Sound mINT integrated amp (big time overkill, but I absolutely needed the small footprint and wanted the added power rating for a box its size), a pair of Klipsch Reference RB-51 II bookshelf speakers (just under 12 in. tall) and a Klipsch SW-350 sub (just small enough to fit between the end of my desk and the door to the den). Though I purportedly returned the sub due to a real but very minor operational defect, the actual reason was that I could not get the bass response I desired without playing the sub particularly loud, resulting in localization of the bass. I don’t know much at all about the physics of subs, so I have wondered if this problem were due to interaction of the down-firing orientation of the sub, the carpeted floor and the doorway.

After a quick search, I came upon several reviews of the SVS SB-1000 – one of which described it as the best “music” sub. The price was more than I’d originally intended to spend on a sub but I figured I could return it if it did not work out. I tried wiring the system several different ways before settling on using what were in my limited experience unique attributes of the SB-1000 and the mINT. The Squeeze Box receiver is connected to the mINT via coax in order to use the DAC in the mINT. The Aux Out (essentially, analog line level pre outs) of the mINT is connected to the analog Line-Ins of the SB-1000. The fixed 80 hz high pass Line Outs of the SB-1000 are in turn connected to a switchable “Main In” on the mINT. The SB-1000 low pass filter is set at approx. 80 Hz. Initially, I was concerned that using this setup could result in an obvious audible crossover problem between the sub and the speakers, particular since they were from different manufacturers. This was not the case.

After a tuning session using test signals from an old Revel test CD and a CM-140 sound meter, I was able to match output levels of sub and speakers at 80 Hz and set phase. Using other tracks on the test CD, I was able to evaluate the entire setup for issues and sound quality. After slight tweaks of both the volume and low pass crossover on the SB-1000, everything meshed. As an example, for bass evaluation on the classical side, one sample I used was the organ in the beginning of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (music of 2001 A Space Odyssey). At even higher than normal listening volume, it sounded like a musical note (I think that’s supposed to be a G) rather than just a rumbling in the walls. On the other extreme, I sampled Macy Gray’s “On How Life Is” that just screams for boomy bass that overwhelms, which even with Macy Gray, I do not like. No problem. The bass was tight, in-your-face punchy and loud (as it is supposed to be), but not booming. Localization of the bass was not a problem.

Overall, I’m happy with the purchase and would recommend to others.

I was looking for a sub to mainly complement my audio stereo system: Marantz receiver, Project turntable and a couple of Paradigm Mini Monitor bookshelf speakers. SB-1000 turned out to be perfect! After playing with the receiver settings and the sub's placement around the room, I am happy to say, there is now a perfect harmony within all the components. The lows are accurate, undistored, and cannot be localized despite the fact that the sub is only a couple of feet away from the main listening position (it is placed next to the couch, at the opposite room end from the bookshelfs.)

PS. There are many specialists who recommend switching all speakers to "small" (80+ hz crossover) after adding a sub. FWIW, when listening to LPs, I found that listing Paradigm Mini Monitors as "large" at 60 hz (or even 40 hz) produced the most defined sound.

This is my first subwoofer. My budget for subwoofer was $500 max (including everything - tax + shipping). I had searched for months for a good quality subwoofer in this budget and realized that a good sub is going to cost me at least $600. So I had almost decided to go for a lower end Hsu. Enter SB-1000 (in the month of November I think, 11/20 to be precise). I was about to purchase something else, but was pleasantly surprised to find out this sub which (potentially) offered the exact combination of Quality, Fatures and Price which I was so looking for for months.

My experience with sub so far has been fantastic. I wanted a sub which does not distort a bit and which is great for music. That was the sole reason I went for this instead of its bigger brother (but with a smaller driver) which also sells for $500. I am really happy with this sub;s performance. I have mated it with Paradigm Millenia 5.0 speaker package. The bass is really tight (my most important criteria) and hence great for music, produces precise bass. But I had expected this with the SVS brand name. But what really bowled me over was the super smooth integration of this Sub with the 5.0 package (with the hep of Denon amplifier). The integration really produces a seamless sound. I live in an apartment so do not get much opportunities to test the limits of this sub, but with 60 yo 70% of the sound level this Sub gets really loud for an apartment (the system has whole).

All in all a great product at great quality and a great price.

Thanks SVS, you guys rock. In the future, when I get my own house, I will upgrade to your bigger and badder Subs and also the speakers. Cheers

I'd never heard a sealed woofer before listening to this wonderful subwoofer. My only other experience with a sub was the BIC F12 in the living room. Although the output is nowhere near as loud as the F12, the clarity and amazing precision of the SB-1000 is amazing.

I pair the SB-1000 with Cambridge Audio S30's through a Denon 1713. The beautiful sound of the S30's was too loud for the sub until I played with the bass settings in the receiver. The crossover is still a bit of a mystery while I get used to the setup, but I increased the db on the sub to match what I think I should be hearing during songs. It is a 10 out of 10 and I'd buy it again and again!

Great sub. Doesn't shake the house down like my previous sub but it sounds fantastic and the bass is so clean and snappy. I wouldn't trade it for any of the previous mid level subs I've had up until this point. Very satisfied customer.

I have owned many subs in the past.This little guy (SB-1000)is outstandig.Small footprint big sound.It blends perfect with my Harbeth's.Great job guys.Highly recommended.A+++++

I highly recommend this subwoofer. I looked at several others in this size and price range....some from big name brands. This sub sounds excellent,looks great and is an extremely good value. I would not hesitate to add any of SVS's products to my system. Great packaging too and arrived on my doorstep right on time. Two thumbs up.

I recently purchased an SVS SB-1000 subwoofer. This replaced my beloved, Swedish made Audio Pro subwoofer that quit working several years ago and couldn’t be fixed. My system is music only, and is based on a Quad 34/306, pre-amp/amp combination driving a pair of Spendor LS3/5As. The SB-1000 has wildly exceeded my expectations. The bass has authority, definition and extension but doesn’t spoil the wonderful sound-stage that the LS3/5As are so well-known for. I defy anyone to point to where the sub is located, it integrates that well. To my ears, the SB-1000 is a high-quality audiophile sub at an entry level price. Great product SVS!

I have been living with the SB-1000 coupled with a pair of desktop Emotiva 4 powered speakers for about 10 days now, and they have been wonderful listening days. After a little time to find what seems to me to be the ideal crossover and subwoofer volume, the sound is simply fantastic. The SB-1000 does exactly what I want it to do. The bass response is extended smoothly, with no obvious transition from the Emotivas to the Sub, rather a natural sounding bass that is neither flabby nor booming but very musical. The improvement in orchestral, operatic, rock, bluegrass, and anything else musical I throw at the system is audible and rewarding. This is the first subwoofer that I have used that I want to keep on at all times. Congratulations to SVS for a great new product, and also thanks for their outstanding customer service while I was shopping for and then adjusting the speaker to fit my needs and taste. A major winner.
LJS

Customer Reviews: Dual SB-1000