The way SVS presents its loudspeakers to potential buyers is noteworthy. By pricing their offerings per speaker, even for substantial floorstanding models intended for stereo listening, SVS deviates from the common practice in the audiophile market. While this approach might be more familiar in the home theater realm where multiple speakers are often required, it prompts consideration when evaluating their top-tier products aimed at music enthusiasts. Unlike the pricing strategies of elite manufacturers like MBL or Magico, where prices are clearly stated per pair, SVS offers its flagship Ultra Evolution Pinnacle at $2499.99 each. This pricing model positions the Pinnacle as a compelling option for those with a $5,000 loudspeaker budget, warranting a closer examination.
The Ultra Evolution Pinnacle is a sophisticated three-way, seven-driver design that showcases thoughtful engineering. The midrange drivers, featuring 5.25-inch glass-fiber-composite cones, incorporate aluminum-alloy baskets designed for optimal heat dissipation. Their low-mass Kapton voice-coil formers, along with the diamond-coating process applied to the tweeter, are intended to deliver superior transient response and dynamic capabilities. These midrange transducers share a sealed internal compartment with the tweeter, which serves to attenuate the back wave produced by the drivers. The bass is handled by a quartet of 8-inch woofers, also with glass-fiber membranes, arranged with two firing forward and two mounted on the rear panel. Each of the rearward-facing woofers has a 3.5-inch port located just beneath it. This woofer configuration is loaded into a single, extensively braced acoustic volume with strategically placed damping material, concentrated in the area where air velocities are highest. This "Forced Balanced Array" design, as SVS terms it, aims to provide prodigious and evenly distributed bass output while minimizing internal mechanical energy, allowing for relatively close placement to rear walls, a departure from typical ported designs. The crossover network is set at 1800Hz for the midrange-to-tweeter transition and 140Hz for the midrange-to-woofer.
Historically, SVS, initially known as Stimpson Vodhanel Sound, has evolved significantly since its acquisition by Gary Yacoubian and his partner in 2011. While the company retains a strong presence in the subwoofer market with 18 different models, its product range has expanded considerably to include over 20 full-range loudspeakers and other audio components. SVS products are now available in over 1500 locations across the U.S. and internationally, ranging from smaller powered speakers at retailers like Best Buy to balanced interconnects at Microcenter, and a wide selection of products, including the Ultra Evolution series, offered by online retailers such as Crutchfield. The manufacturing of both full-range speakers and subwoofers takes place in a single Chinese facility with a dedicated team of SVS employees, with frequent visits from the design team.
The Ultra Evolution Pinnacle is a substantial loudspeaker, standing at 50.25 inches tall on its spikes and weighing close to 100 pounds. SVS has implemented an innovative unpacking method that allows for safe and easy setup by a single person. Upon opening the carton with the speaker upright, a strap is provided to gently slide the speaker out without the need for lifting. The cabinet construction utilizes 0.75-inch MDF, with the front baffle and rear panel being 1 inch thick. To minimize diffraction, the front baffle features chamfered side edges, and the five forward-facing drivers are flush-mounted. The front baffle geometry is designed to ensure time alignment of the sound waves emitted by these drivers, with the woofers closest to the listener and the tweeter furthest. Finish options include high-gloss black or white, as well as a black oak veneer. Color-matched magnetic grilles are included. Each Pinnacle is shipped with elastomer feet, which can be replaced with the provided height-adjustable spikes.
In a typical listening environment, the Pinnacles were positioned with their rear surfaces a moderate distance from the wall and a reasonable distance apart, creating a listening position in a balanced acoustic space. For the evaluation, only digital source material was employed, utilizing high-quality digital playback equipment. Amplification was provided by high-end monoblock and stereo amplifiers, and the signal path included premium analog and digital interconnects.
Regarding setup considerations, the use of bi-wiring is recommended. Additionally, while the included grilles offer aesthetic appeal, their removal can lead to a noticeable improvement in sonic clarity and crispness. Sonically, the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle presents itself as a versatile loudspeaker capable of addressing key audiophile criteria. It exhibits a neutral character, accurately conveying the tonal balance of the recording and the preceding components in the audio chain, even at lower listening levels, making it suitable for various listening preferences.
In terms of dynamic expression, the Pinnacles demonstrate a level of performance that is competitive with significantly more expensive designs. Their ability to articulate subtle dynamic variations is evident in complex musical passages, such as the detailed instructions provided in scores by composers like Beethoven. The performance with different amplifiers revealed the Pinnacle's ability to reveal the sonic characteristics of the associated electronics. This characteristic highlights its transparency and resolution. The speakers also exhibit speed and agility, effectively reproducing the initial attack and body of plucked instruments.
Given SVS's expertise in low-frequency reproduction, the Pinnacle's bass performance is a notable strength, offering both extension and musicality in the lower octaves. Its ability to reproduce the distinct character of bass lines in various musical genres is noteworthy. The Ultra Evolution Pinnacle demonstrates accomplished spatial rendering, particularly attributed to the time alignment of the forward-facing drivers. The arrangement of instruments within an orchestra and the placement of vocal sections in a chorus are clearly discernible. The scaling of instrumental voices is also well-defined.
Overall, the most impressive aspect of these loudspeakers may be their ability to reproduce the fundamental structure of musical sound, encompassing the various factors that contribute to a unique sonic experience. They allow for the differentiation of subtle nuances in vocal performances and instrumental timbres.
The SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle achieves this level of performance at a price point that is a fraction of many "entry-level" high-end floorstanding loudspeakers, a testament to effective engineering, economies of scale, and overseas manufacturing. The suggestion to consider a higher budget and invest in the Pinnacles underscores the exceptional value proposition they offer within the high-performance audio market.
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