When SVS announced their new flagship subwoofers in late 2023, the home theater community took notice. The SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) and SVS SB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,499) represent the company's most advanced subwoofers to date, building on their already impressive Ultra series with significant technological improvements.
Before diving into the specifics of these two models, let's talk about what makes a premium subwoofer worth considering. A subwoofer's job is to reproduce the lowest frequencies in music and movies - the deep bass that you feel as much as hear. While budget subwoofers can add bass to a system, premium subwoofers like these provide several key advantages:
The SVS 17-Ultra series brings all these qualities together in two different approaches to bass reproduction.
Both the PB17-Ultra and SB17-Ultra share some impressive core technology. The heart of each system is a newly developed 17-inch driver - that's significantly larger than the typical 12-inch or 15-inch drivers found in most subwoofers. This massive driver uses dual 8-inch voice coils (the part that moves the speaker cone), which is a first for consumer subwoofers. Think of it like having two engines driving one wheel - you get more power and better control.
The amplification system is equally impressive. Both models use SVS's new STA-2800 amplifier, which provides 2,800 watts of continuous power (and can peak much higher). This is essentially two separate amplifiers in one unit, each dedicated to one of those voice coils I mentioned earlier. It's like having two subwoofer amplifiers working together in perfect sync.
The main difference between these subwoofers is their fundamental approach to bass reproduction:
In practice, both of these subwoofers will absolutely shake your room. The difference comes down to how they do it and what kind of bass you prefer.
The PB17-Ultra is like having a commercial cinema subwoofer in your home. It can produce the kind of bass that literally moves your clothes during intense movie scenes. The ported design gives it an advantage in maximum output - it can play louder, especially in the lowest frequencies. This makes it particularly excellent for home theater use, where those ultra-low movie effects really benefit from the extra output capability.
The SB17-Ultra is no slouch either - it's just a different approach. The sealed design tends to provide slightly tighter, more controlled bass. While it can't quite match the maximum output of its ported brother, it's still capable of output levels that exceed what most people would ever need. The sealed design also means it can respond more quickly to changes in the music or soundtrack, which some listeners prefer.
Your room plays a huge role in subwoofer performance, and this should influence your choice between these models:
The PB17-Ultra is generally the better choice here. Its higher output capability helps fill larger spaces more effectively. The ported design also helps maintain output in the lowest frequencies, which can be challenging in bigger rooms.
Either subwoofer will excel here. The choice becomes more about your preferences for sound character and space constraints.
The SB17-Ultra might be the smarter choice. Its sealed design can actually be an advantage in smaller spaces where too much bass can become overwhelming. The smaller cabinet is also a significant practical benefit.
Both models feature SVS's excellent app control system, which makes setup and adjustment much easier than traditional knobs and switches. The app lets you:
The app control is particularly helpful because you can make adjustments from your listening position, hearing the results in real-time.
With a $500 price difference between models, value becomes an interesting consideration. The PB17-Ultra at $2,999 offers the ultimate in performance, especially for home theater use. However, the SB17-Ultra at $2,499 might actually be the better value for many users, particularly if space is at a premium or if music is your primary focus.
Here's a straightforward way to make your choice:
Choose the PB17-Ultra if:
Choose the SB17-Ultra if:
Both the PB17-Ultra and SB17-Ultra represent the current state of the art in home subwoofers. Their recent release (October 2023) means they incorporate the latest developments in driver technology, amplification, and digital signal processing. The choice between them isn't about which is "better" - it's about which better suits your specific needs and preferences.
If I were setting up a dedicated home theater room with adequate space, I'd probably go for the PB17-Ultra. However, for a multi-use living room where I listen to both music and movies, I'd likely choose the SB17-Ultra for its combination of performance and practicality.
Remember, either choice represents a significant investment in your audio system, but one that will likely provide many years of extraordinary bass performance. These aren't the kind of components you'll need to upgrade anytime soon - they're endgame-level subwoofers that represent the current pinnacle of what's possible in home audio bass reproduction.
| SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) | SVS SB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,499) |
|---|---|
| Design Type - Fundamentally affects bass character and room placement | |
| Ported (3 x 4" ports, configurable) | Sealed (more compact, faster response) |
| Frequency Response - Determines how low the subwoofer can play | |
| 12-14Hz (depending on port config) | 15Hz |
| Cabinet Size - Critical for room planning and WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) | |
| 25.0"H x 21.7"W x 29.3"D (large) | 20.0"H x 19.5"W x 21.2"D (more manageable) |
| Weight - Important for delivery and installation planning | |
| 165 lbs (requires two people) | 124 lbs (still heavy, but easier) |
| Maximum Output - Affects performance in larger rooms | |
| Higher max output (+3dB advantage) | Slightly lower output, but still powerful |
| Best Room Size - Critical for optimal performance | |
| 2,500+ cubic feet (ideal for larger rooms) | Up to 2,500 cubic feet (better for medium rooms) |
| Primary Use Case - Helps match to your needs | |
| Home Theater & Bass-Heavy Content | Music & Mixed-Use Rooms |
| Transient Response - Affects bass tightness and control | |
| Good, with more room-energizing bass | Excellent, faster and tighter response |
| Port Tuning Options - Flexibility for different content | |
| Three modes via port plugs | No tuning needed (simpler operation) |
| Value Proposition - Cost vs. Performance | |
| Higher cost but maximum performance | Better value if space-constrained |
The SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) is generally better for home theater due to its higher output and deeper bass extension. Its ported design excels at reproducing the intense low-frequency effects found in movies, though the SB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,499) is still excellent for home theater in smaller rooms.
The primary difference is their design approach - the PB17-Ultra is ported with three 4" ports, while the SB17-Ultra uses a sealed design. This makes the PB17 larger but capable of higher output, while the SB17 is more compact with tighter bass response.
The SB17-Ultra is often preferred for music due to its faster, more precise bass response. However, the PB17-Ultra still performs excellently with music, especially if you enjoy feeling the lowest bass notes in larger rooms.
The PB17-Ultra requires significant space at 25.0"H x 21.7"W x 29.3"D, while the SB17-Ultra is more compact at 20.0"H x 19.5"W x 21.2"D. You'll need adequate space around either unit for proper ventilation.
The $500 premium for the PB17-Ultra is worth it if you have a larger room or prioritize maximum home theater performance. For smaller rooms or primarily music listening, the SB17-Ultra provides better value.
The PB17-Ultra performs best in rooms larger than 2,500 cubic feet, while the SB17-Ultra is ideal for rooms up to 2,500 cubic feet. Both can work in various spaces, but these are their optimal environments.
Yes, particularly in smaller spaces. The SB17-Ultra might be more appropriate for smaller rooms, while the PB17-Ultra could potentially overwhelm a small space with bass. Both have adjustable output levels to match your room.
While one high-end subwoofer like the PB17-Ultra or SB17-Ultra can provide excellent performance, dual subwoofers often provide more even bass response across multiple seating positions. Consider room size and budget when deciding.
The SB17-Ultra is better suited for apartment living due to its sealed design and more controlled bass output. The PB17-Ultra might be too powerful and its deeper bass extension could be problematic in shared living spaces.
Both the PB17-Ultra and SB17-Ultra represent significant improvements over previous models, featuring new dual 8" voice coils, more powerful amplification, and advanced DSP processing, resulting in better overall performance.
Yes, both the PB17-Ultra and SB17-Ultra use SVS's smartphone app for control and room correction, offering identical digital control features and setup options.
The SB17-Ultra is generally simpler to set up and use due to its sealed design with no ports to configure. The PB17-Ultra offers more tuning flexibility with its ports but requires more setup knowledge to optimize performance.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: svsound.com - skybygramophone.com - abt.com - youtube.com - audioholics.com - listenup.com - crutchfield.com - audioadvice.com - svsound.com - worldwidestereo.com - bhphotovideo.com - musicdirect.com - svsound.com - musicdirect.com - crutchfield.com - svsound.com - soundapproach.com - worldwidestereo.com - audioadvice.com - primetimeav.com - summithifi.com - bhphotovideo.com
