The big beats in Doechii’s “Stanka Pooh” hit in a whole new way, thanks to the SVS SB-5000 R|Evolution subwoofer (referred to going forward as SB-5000R in this review). I can’t imagine living without it anymore. This 2000-watt, 15-inch, sealed-box subwoofer turns my 24 x 36-foot listening room into a dance club (even though dance is not a medium I choose to express myself with) easily. The big KHorns in the corner are really sensitive, so the SVS sub will never be pushed anywhere near its limit.
In the context of my Klipschorn-based system, the new SVS SB-5000R subwoofer really brings the big horns to life. The big KHorns are great at delivering “you are there” dynamics and are out-of-this-world fun for listening to your favorite live rock records. But they do need some help on the lowest frequencies. The current ones now have a sealed back, but they still only go down solidly to about 45-ish Hz.
A great subwoofer transforms these speakers into a completely different listening experience. For now, a single SB-5000R (the SB stands for sealed box, while the slightly larger PB-5000 is a ported design) is handling the lower registers, but a second one will be on the way soon – so expect a follow-up.
I’ve always been a massive fan of SVS – the speakers and the subs. However, they have built their reputation on their subwoofers first, and they continue to deliver top value and performance. Their newest series is evolutionary, building on everything they’ve learned so far.
For those of you who will be pushing the SB-5000Rs harder than I do with efficient speakers, their enormous, dual-voice-coil bass driver uses a separate amplifier for each voice coil. Even with a few speakers on hand that are way less sensitive than the Klipsch, I was never able to play the SB-5000R loud enough to even hint at distortion or a loss of dynamics. If you like it loud (but with control, of course), this is the droid you want. If your system does double duty as a theater system, or perhaps is more theater than music, and you need to hear those cannon shots at a level that will make you evacuate your bowels, the PB will take you from 11 to 12. The ported sub has just a bit more sock, which is usually better for theater or gaming, but you never know – it depends on your main speakers and listening habits.
As with other SVS subs, the SB-5000R comes in black ash or gloss black. As the pups don’t venture out in my listening room, I love keeping the smartly designed grille off, so I can geek out on that massive 15-inch glass fiber driver. Somehow, the system just seems to rock harder when you can see the woofer(s) move. It’s like the way your car goes about .2 sec faster to 60 right after it’s been washed. Are you with me?
Simple setup
SVS has a comprehensive manual that guides you through the setup process. Even if you think you’re well-versed in subwoofer setup, take a read through the manual. It takes you through all the features and bits on the app that are unique to SVS. The SB-5000R does weigh just over 100 pounds, so depending on your level of fitness, you may need a hand unboxing and placing it. You can download the manual and quick start guide right from the SVS site, as well as watch some of their tips and tricks for mastering setup. That way, you can get acquainted with your SB-5000R even before it arrives!
If all else fails, their support staff is the best in the business – polite, helpful, and patient. You may never need it, but when you do, they will get you sorted quickly.
Their app is outstanding, letting you control level, crossover, and more. Phase, polarity, room gain, and there’s even a parametric EQ – all adjustable from your listening chair. And now you can use your smartphone as a mic to tailor the built-in DSP room correction. It doesn’t get any better.
Normally, I’d suggest placing a single sub in the room’s corner, but hey – that’s where the Klipschorns go! Because I’m using so little of the SB-5000r’s power, combining a slightly off-center placement with a touch of boost at 20 Hz from that Parametric EQ has me styling nearly immediately. Running some test tones reveals the Khorns are solid to almost 40Hz in my room, so starting with the crossover at 50Hz and working down to 45 makes for a perfect blend between sub and mains.
Pro tip: For all the internet pundits that “hate subwoofers,” it’s because they have them set up incorrectly. When you have your sub(s) set up right, they merely extend the low-frequency response of your mains and add some more detail and depth in the midrange. If you’re hearing the subwoofer (s) as a separate entity, go back to the drawing board. You have more work to do. You’ll appreciate it more when you’re finished. I promise.
Thanks to that app, this process took the better part of 10 minutes, but in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve had a lot of speakers in this room, so I already know where the sweet spots are. If you’re starting from scratch, it might take you an hour or two. If you have a dog and a roommate/partner, ask them to take the doggo for an hour walk so you can concentrate 100%. I’m not kidding.
More listening equals more fun
Once you unlock the performance that a big subwoofer provides, you’ll find yourself seeking out the tracks that possess major low-frequency energy. It’s so much fun. When you have all that extension at your disposal, everything gets bigger and better, because a lot of musical information resides below 60 Hz.
Your favorite Hip-Hop, Electronica, and heavy rock tracks go from being engaging to immersive. When music has a major low-frequency foundation, it’s so much easier to feel it and get involved. The SB-5000R lists a low-frequency response point of 17 Hz. Even though you can’t hear down this far, ultra-low, extended bass is important, because just like the harmonics from ultra-high frequencies, you can’t hear increase the three-dimensional feel of recorded music, the same is true for the low frequencies.
To demonstrate this for yourself, once you get used to your SB-5000R, resist the urge to play music with deep bass for a bit, and play some music with next to no low-frequency content paying close attention to the image your system presents. This is another great way to make the most of the SVS app.
Listen to the track with your eyes closed. Then shut the sub off. Notice the way the stereo image collapses and has considerably less depth. Adding a great subwoofer is not just about more bass.
Alternate takes
SVS shows a measurement graph illustrating a flat frequency response up to almost 300Hz. Trying the SB-5000R with everything from a vintage pair of Acoustat ESLs, a pair of Magnepans, and the YG Acoustics Cairn and Summit speakers, I still prefer using them more as true subwoofers. Your mileage may vary. And, I was able to achieve perfect integration with them all.
The small YGs fall off fairly quickly after about 70Hz, and that’s about the highest I’d want to cross this big woofer over. There are a lot of people out in the various audio forums that like to cross their mains at about 80Hz to take the load off the main amp and speakers. I defy conventional wisdom and run the mains full range, bringing the sub up to match.
This demands more performance from the main system, but really lets the SVS sub shine, delivering tremendous performance, and integrates with the main speakers more seamlessly. The downside to this approach is that you will lose some of your system’s ultimate maximum volume potential, especially with smaller speakers (and smaller woofers). If you’re having trouble getting that very last bit of seamlessness between subs and main speakers – and can give up loud AF, settling for really damn loud, consider this option.
More listening
Running through a long playlist of bass-heavy tracks is an exhilarating experience. Whether pounding hip-hop from ICE-T, Run DMC, and Public Enemy, to club tracks by Scruscru, the added weight the SB-5000R brings is something you can’t live without once you get used to it.
Changing program material to the jazzier side, listening to Jaco Pastorius’ self-titled debut, and a lot of material from Stanley Clarke and Mingus reveals that the SB-5000R serves up plenty of texture and detail in the lowest frequencies. Not a feat that all subs can accomplish. I even dug out a digital copy of the 1812 Overture to blast the cannon shots. AWESOME!
So awesome, I need another one
I’m thrilled to give the SVS SB-5000R subwoofer one of our Exceptional Value Awards. It does everything right – great performance, great pricing, and, after nearly 10 years of using SVS products in my own systems, I know firsthand their stuff doesn’t break. That’s why most SVS subs aren’t for sale on the secondary market. Customers just get more of them!
And why not? Once you get used to the reinforcement that a great subwoofer brings to your system, you’ll never want to be without it.
Happily and highly recommended. I’m buying the review sample and getting another one for the Khorn system. Stay tuned on social media, as we’ll be talking these up a lot in the months to come.
Should you be so moved by this review that you need one (or two) right now, click on the link below to be taken right to the purchase link at the SVS site. PLEASE NOTE: this link is for your convenience, we DO NOT receive a “slight commission” on this. But hey, if you’re in the mood to shop…
SVS SB-5000 R|Evolution Subwoofer
$1,999.99
PERIPHERALS
ANALOG SOURCE Thorens TD-124DD w/Ortofon TD-124 cart.
DIGITAL SOURCE dCS Vivaldi ONE/APEX
PREAMPLIFIER Pass Labs HPA-1c
POWER AMPLIFIER(S) ampsandsound Bryce Monoblocks
SPEAKERS Klipsch AK7 Klipschorn (others in review)
POWER CONDITIONER Clarus Concerto II
CABLE Cardas Clear
