Home theater and music fans are no strangers to SVS subwoofers. The popularity of the brand is based on its high-quality exterior design and perfect bass range.
SVS SB 4000 Review
The SB-4000 is an active subwoofer with a closed system, rectangular in shape, slightly rounded and not visible at first glance. However, it weighs 46.4 kg and has a large magnet weighing almost 17 kg. The robust, very thick MDF housing surrounds the fiberglass, paper composite, ultra-rigid diaphragm, and wide die-cast aluminum basket almost like armor. It is equipped with a steel cover and rubber feet.
Air is allowed to move through trapezoidal openings, the pendulum coil is made of 3-inch aluminum wire wound in 8 layers. The manufacturer calls the deflection XMech and allows 76.2 mm of deflection without damage, which is really amazing.
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The back cover is quite puritanical, with clean line-level inputs and outputs, RCA, XLR sockets, the main switch, and an IEC socket. Unlike the brand’s previous models, the subwoofer is also equipped with a display that can also be controlled with a small infrared remote control, but can also be controlled via Bluetooth via iOS or Android on mobile phones and smart devices via a downloadable application. This type of control seemed much easier than controlling with remote control.
A large number of settings are available in the menu, e.g. B. volume, display off, cut slope or frequency control of the low-pass filter, etc. A 3-band parametric EQ calibration program also supports fine-tuning and frequency response from 19 to 310 Hz, a sled amplifier at 1200 watts, and class “D”. Thanks to the settings, it is also extremely easy to integrate with our sound system.
In appearance, it has acquired a simple modern cube shape. There is a blue LED indicator on the front that can be dimmed if needed. If you want a more elegant design, you can also choose the glossy piano lacquer finish. But then you have to reckon with the fact that all your fingerprints will be visible on it and, unfortunately, the dust will also quickly settle on the glossy surface.
It doesn’t matter how much space such a high-power subwoofer has, it can provide the best performance in rooms of 20-25 square meters.
Advantages of closed, active subwoofers
Active loudspeakers have a built-in amplifier, so they allow high power and impulsive operation and require short cables, reducing these losses as well. Active loudspeakers are also advantageous in terms of space saving. The closed system speakers are completely closed, the closed air acts as a spring force when the speaker cone moves. Thanks to this we get precise, well-caught, tight bass. However, this type belongs to the more expensive price category, since the cost of production is also much higher.
Sound
Integrated into a home cinema system, we tested the subwoofer SB-4000. In 2015, the movie Legend was released in theaters, so we started testing. We tested the subwoofer with two Dynaudio Confidence 60 stationary speakers and a Denon AVC X6700 home theater amplifier.
In our approximately 28 square meter home cinema room, our measurements determined that the room’s acoustics were practically flawless. The owner has done a very thorough job in this area in the design and furnishing of the cinema room. Printed acoustic panels on the walls, as well as diffuser elements, as well as thick, thick, soundproof curtains and a sinking , tightly woven carpet also contribute to the perfect acoustics. With the help of curtains, not only the acoustics can be improved, but also the complete blackout can be achieved in this way, which is a very important aspect in a cinema room.
We had a very clear, strong, precise and detailed sound, the subwoofer was able to transmit distortion-free, very intense, percussive lows, and the dynamics were also ideal. This was followed by the 2016 film starring Ben Affleck’s Live by Night. We had an extensive stage scene, a spacious and detailed sound experience, the basses were really extremely full, tight and catchy.
We also tried out what this subwoofer knows in the field of music. We listened to Imagine Dragons’ song Monster and then Michael Bublé’s hit Feeling Good, the instrument produced deep walls that shook the wall, it didn’t distort at high volumes either. It filled the space very nicely and you can even say that we also heard areas that we hadn’t experienced before for the same songs. At times we felt that the bass was a bit overly controlled and regulated, but that wouldn’t be a major flaw.
Conclusion
The SB-4000 subwoofer is a true heavyweight champion, not only because of its fairly heavy weight, but also because of the fantastically intense and muscular bass ranges. We didn’t hear any distortion, it kept the clear sound even at high volume. The downside would be the lack of auto-calibration, although the Room EQ Assistant can be used instead it would be more convenient and easier if it also had auto-calibration. Controlling the subwoofer is much easier through the app with smart devices. At times we would have wished for a little more free-flowing, unstoppable bass, as the SB-4000 easily oozes over-controlled bass, but no subwoofer should be more flawed.
The excellent sound and the indestructible, robust exterior design, the use of high-quality parts, but also the price does not belong to the cheap price category.