SVS Ultra Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review |
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Tuesday, 07 May 2013 | ||||||
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![]() I have only heard about SVS products from audio show reports and a few reviews, but I had not had the opportunity to hear one of the products until now. I received a review sample of their brand new Ultra Bookshelf model, priced at $499 each, or $998/pair. The Ultra Bookshelf is part of the Ultra line, which includes the Ultra Center channel, Ultra Surround, and Ultra Tower models. SVS says the Ultra Bookshelf shares much of the technology found in the larger Ultra Tower floorstanding model. A Closer Look Mark Mason, Director of Product Management, is the driving force behind the SVS speaker and subwoofer designs. Before joining SVS in 2011, Mason spent time at highly acclaimed speaker manufacturer PSB, among others. Be sure to check out my interview with Mason and SVS CEO, Gary Yacuobian, at the conclusion of this review. ![]() The Ultra Bookshelf features a wedge-shaped front baffle, and what they call an “intelligent” Sound Match Crossover. According to the SVS technical literature, when engineering the Ultra Bookshelf speaker’s design the company envisioned “a two-way monitor that would fill small to medium sized rooms with an encompassing, coherent soundstage; deep, dynamic bass; and sparkling mid and high-frequency details, whether they were being pushed to extreme volumes or played at moderate levels. A combination of premium build materials, FEA optimization, cabinet innovation and careful selection of crossover frequencies brought this vision to life.” Around back, there is a rear port and two sets of high quality speaker binding posts for bi-wiring. The speakers' published specifications indicate it is not difficult to drive, rated at 8 Ohms, and 87dB efficiency. This turned out to be the case, as the amplifiers I used with the Ultras barely broke a sweat. |