September 2018


Best Of 2018 Blue Note Equipment Awards

SVS SB-2000 Active Subwoofer
Price: $699
Click here to read the complete review.

  At times I must come off as some sort of audio-curmudgeon, said Enjoy the Music.com Editor Tom Lyle, such as when I became upset when noting that some audiophiles are calling a component a preamplifier rather than a line stage. There have been other times, too, that I've gotten upset over someone using what I consider the incorrect nomenclature for an audio component or part. Thankfully, I've gotten over that preamplifier versus line stage episode. But am still working on the fact that some sell speakers that they call "subwoofers" yet don't go below 20 Hz. "Sub" what? Thankfully, there's no reason to have any ill will in regards to the SVS SB-2000, since SVS claims that it reaches down to 19 Hz and might even reach lower depending on one's room size and its placement in one's room. What makes this SVS SB-2000 subwoofer even better is that it is rather small, measuring only about 14.5" x 14.5" x 15.5". The sub's depth is a little greater when attaching its curved grille, but even still, this is quite a small subwoofer when one considers how deep it reaches into the bass region with its 12" woofer and 500-Watt internal amplifier. Best of all is that the SB-2000 costs less than $700. Its specs make it perfect for matching it with the gear in my second system located in a common space of our home.

The SVS SB-2000 arrived at my home double boxed, and very carefully packed. Its unpacking instructions are printed on the outside of the large box, and setup was made even quicker and simpler with SVS's easy to understand instructions. The sample of the SB-2000 that is still set up in my system has a glossy piano black finish and highlighted the sub's excellent fit and finish. It's 12" driver is front-firing, the amplifier and its controls are on its rear panel, and the cabinet's rubber feet were already installed.  In SVS's literature and on their website, they laud the SB-2000's driver with statements such as it having a dual "high-grade" ferrite magnet, powder-coated cast aluminum basket, "Finite Element Analysis (FEA)-optimized motor structure, and a dual shorting ring that reduces gap induction to lower the driver's distortion specs. They also state that it has an extended pole piece that  improves heat sink and thermal management properties, a 2" diameter, "high-power" voice coil, that they upgraded it to have a Nomex spider which improves linearity and driver control at extreme drive levels, "high-quality" insulated tinsel leads with 3-point-contact precision alignment, a lightweight aluminum cone with polypropylene dust cap to provide "excellent" rigidity and pistonic behavior, and a low-creep rubber long-throw surround for "excellent durability and longevity".

After more than a month of the SB-2000 in this system, what did I think of it? For a $700 subwoofer that was matched with a pair of speakers that originally sold for about $6500, powered by amplifiers that costs at least four times the price of the subwoofer, the SVS SB-2000 sounded more than just capable, but very nice, indeed. Not only did this rather low-cost subwoofer sound pretty darn good, it looked great performing the task. It's piano black cabinet's fit & finish belies its low cost, and even without its high-tech looking grille attached, its cosmetics didn't only fit in with the rest of the system, it enhanced it. Most importantly was the sub's sound, the low end of the SB-2000 went deep enough to satisfy just about any material that passed through it, its bass was tight, pitch specific, and never sounded "out of place". By out of place, I mean it did not sound disjointed, at least not if that was the intent of those on the recording being played, as the low-end sounded as it was emanating from my main speakers. And that's the goal of a subwoofer / satellite system, isn't it – to have the sub not stick out like the proverbial sonic sore thumb?

Click here to read the complete review.

Previous Annual Blue Note Awards

Product of the Year Awards 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.