SVS is a company that manufactures speakers and subwoofers, especially popular in the field of Home Cinema and multi-channel audio. On an effort to satisfy a wider range of movie and music lovers, it introduced the compact, active Prime Wireless speaker which we had the opportunity to try in conjunction with one of its small subwoofers, the SB-1000. The result was a small system with great sound.
The Prime Wireless speaker pair comes in a package with both speakers, fairly protected with good quality materials and each separately in its own canvas case. The package includes a standard manual (complete manual is uploaded to the manufacturer’s updated website), a power cord, 8 rubber sticker for vibration isolation and a 3m connection cable for the active speaker (right channel) and the passive (left channel). In order to prevent possible thoughts of installation restrictions, I must inform you that the company has longer cables to cover every need. The speakers seem to be a very elaborate implementation with bass reflex charging, impressive finish in black lacquer on all sides of the speaker except the front (they are also available in white lacquer), quality switches on the front and a variety of connections, analog and digital in back part.
Active, wireless and fully equipped
Τhe input selector, which is in front on the left, is the access point to 6 different streaming presets (as internet radio, podcasts, playlists, etc.). On the right you’ll see the switch for setting the level and the play/pause option and between them is the display screen. Due to the countless settings and options of the DTS Play-Fi application, via the Wi-Fi connection, the user will rarely be concerned about the operations directly on the speaker.
At the back side there are the analog inputs (RCA and 3.5mm jack), digital optical input up to 96kHz, analog RCA output for active subwoofer and wireless switches management, bluetooth and wi-fi, with maximum sample rate 24-bit/192kHz. At the heart of the system is a four-channel booster with a total power of 200W (4x50W), which, with the help of a digital active crossover with a cut-off frequency of 2 kHz and an inclination of 12 db per octave, has taken over the driving of a 4.5 inches mid/woofer and a 1 inch tweeter with an aluminium canopy.
Small sub, in the delivery of SVS…
The subwoofer SB-1000, which came with speakers for the needs of the sound check, comes in a bulky package that prepares you for something much larger in size, than the modest (but not in grace, features and performance -as we will see) subwoofer we finally take out of the box. SVS’s approach to building quality, finishing quality and SB-1000 equipment follows a similar logic with the speakers. The sub is a sturdy and rigid construction of MDF, closed type, with internal lining of damping material on all sides and a woofer with a cone diameter 12 inches and suspension that allows long distances. The woofer is driven by an amplifier Sledge STA-300D, which delivers 300W continuous power and 720W instantaneous and is assisted in its operation by a digital processor. The company provides 24Hz-260 Hz frequency response, making the SB-1000 a sub with features that you don’t find in any other in this category.
On the back of the subwoofer we found, in addition to the on/off switch and the auto standby, the rotary level switches, the cut-off frequency and phase adjustment switches, which are worth noting that they operate in the digital field, via DSP. The inputs include an RCA pair and 2 high-power connection pairs (for direct connection from the amplifier output, with speaker cables) and finally, a class-rare convenience, a 3V–12V AC/DC trigger input.
A system for music!
The preparation for the sound check included the placement of the speakers, the connection of the sources, the power supply, but also the installation of the DTS Play-Fi application which offers very food possibilities and very promising performance in relation to the streaming via the Wi-Fi connection. The installation of the application is very simple and the clear and complete instructions from the SVS website made the process of connecting our source (Laptop / Win 10) to the network and Prime Wireless a simple matter!
What we heard immediately was the very good possibilities of creating a stereo image with the scene of three dimensions. At the same time, it seemed that the design of SB-1000 makes it easy to work perfectly with the satellites in an admittedly difficulty area, in terms of shape and dimensions.
Prime Wireless performs wonderfully for their size, with strong points the amazingly quiet passages, the melodic interpretation of works such as Altre Follie-Folias Criolas, the charming middles that excites at times and the sense of pulse that takes you to high intensities options like Beth Hart-Caught out in the rain and Emoji Antique-All about that bass. High frequency performance is also good, with a sense of softness (I would personally call them “shy”).
The SB-1000 clearly shows its quality, impressively delivering low frequencies for its size, with a sense of volume and very good description capabilities, something we had the opportunity to observe in 2 Cellos-Hurt, while in tracks with very dynamic drums and in high volumes showed that it can reach its limits. The well-designed and efficient sliders and the size of its cabin will allow it easily “fit” in the most difficult area and will work harmoniously with a wide range of speakers in place of satellites. The Prime Wireless/SB-1000 system has clearly shown us how low-volume implementations, can offer us an exciting listening. In addition to the meticulous quality of construction, the facilities, the variety of connections and the adjustments possibilities compose the profile of a first class of opportunity!
Description: Active/Wireless speaker, two way, two speakers
Units: Inch tweeter with aluminium canopy, mid/woofer 4.5 inches
Charging: Bass Refle
Amplifiers: 4x50W, digital crossover
Inputs: Digital optics (Toslink), Analog (RCA, jack 3.5mm).
Wireless Streaming: Wi-Fi (DTS Play-Fi), Bluetooth (AAC/aptX)
Outputs: Analog (RCA), for subwoofer driving
Dimensions: 260x155x183, (mm, HxWxD)
Weight: 4.3kg (4kg net)
Price: €699
SVS SB-1000
Description: Active subwoofer
Loudspeakers: 12 inches
Charging: Closed type
Amplifiers: Sledge STA-300D
Inputs: Line level (RCA), High Level (bornas)
Settings: Level, Cut-off frequency, Phase, control via DTS Play-Fi app
Dimensions: 343x330x370 (HxWxD)
Weight: 12.3kg
Price: €599
Information: Ultimate Audio Video, tel.: 210 – 994.9050, http://www.ultimateaudio.gr/,
The article by George Katrakazas was published in the second issue of YELLOWBOX._
