Introduction
The SVS Ultra Tower, released in September 2013, stands as the flagship model of SVS, a company known for its high-performance audio products. With its unique design and exceptional sonic traits, the Ultra Tower aims to outperform higher-priced competitors while offering a competitive price point. In this comprehensive review, we will dive deep into the design, features, performance, and user experience of the SVS Ultra Tower to help you make an informed decision for your home theater setup.
Design and Build Quality
The SVS Ultra Tower sports a trapezoidal cabinet with unique styling that sets it apart from traditional boxy speakers. This design choice not only adds a touch of modern elegance to your living space but also serves a functional purpose. The non-parallel cabinet walls reduce standing waves, resulting in a cleaner and more accurate sound reproduction.
Additionally, the wedge-shaped front baffle and flush-mounted drivers minimize diffraction, ensuring that the sound is not distorted or colored by unwanted resonances. The attention to detail in the design extends to the midrange drivers, which are housed in two separate sealed enclosures to minimize driver interaction and reduce any potential distortion.
Measuring 45" tall and weighing 75 pounds each, the SVS Ultra Tower demands attention with its imposing presence. The build quality is top-notch, with a solid construction that speaks to the durability and longevity of the product.
Features and Specifications
The SVS Ultra Tower boasts an impressive array of features and specifications that contribute to its exceptional performance. At the heart of the speaker system is a 1" aluminum dome tweeter with an FEA-optimized diffuser, ensuring smooth and accurate high-frequency reproduction. This tweeter delivers crisp and detailed highs without any harshness or distortion.
In the midrange department, the Ultra Tower utilizes two 6.5" drivers with composite glass-fiber cones. These drivers provide excellent clarity and accuracy in the midrange frequencies, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through with remarkable transparency.
For low-frequency reproduction, the SVS Ultra Tower incorporates two 8" woofers with a long stroke motor and suspension. This design enables deep, controlled, and impactful bass response. Adding to the bass performance is the unique ForceFactor horizontally-opposed dual woofer configuration, which enhances bass output and minimizes cabinet vibrations for cleaner sound reproduction.
The SoundMatch 3.5-way crossover with tapered array ensures seamless integration between the tweeter, midrange drivers, and woofers. Premium-grade capacitors and air-core inductors in the crossover network further contribute to the overall sonic excellence of the SVS Ultra Tower.
Performance
The performance of the SVS Ultra Tower is nothing short of impressive. One of the standout characteristics is the soundstage it produces, which is expansive, deep, and detailed. Whether you're listening to music or watching movies, the Ultra Tower creates a three-dimensional sonic environment that engulfs you in the audio experience. Instruments and vocals are accurately positioned, allowing you to pinpoint their location within the soundstage.
The bass response of the Ultra Tower is transparent and articulated, providing a solid foundation to your audio playback. It reaches deep into the lower frequencies without muddying or overpowering the rest of the audio spectrum. The integration between the midrange and bass drivers is seamless, resulting in a cohesive and balanced overall sound signature.
Comparing the SVS Ultra Tower to higher-priced speakers, it holds its own and even outperforms some in terms of sonic traits. The level of detail, clarity, and accuracy it offers is remarkable for its price range. However, it's important to note that the soundstage and imaging may not be as wide or deep as speakers with a higher price tag.
On certain tracks, the treble reproduction of the Ultra Tower may exhibit a slight sibilance and metallic twinge. While this is not a pervasive issue, it can be noticeable in specific recordings. It's worth experimenting with speaker placement and room acoustics to minimize any potential treble anomalies.
User Experience
SVS follows a factory direct sales model, which allows them to offer the SVS Ultra Tower at a competitive price point. Additionally, they provide a generous 45-day in-home trial, giving you ample time to evaluate the speakers in your own environment. This hassle-free trial period, coupled with free shipping, ensures that you can make an informed decision without any pressure.
In terms of aesthetics, the SVS Ultra Tower makes a dramatic visual statement with its modern design. The unique styling and attention to detail in the construction make it a centerpiece of any home theater setup. The build quality is exceptional, with high-quality drivers and materials used throughout. The overall package exudes a sense of premium craftsmanship.
However, one limitation of the SVS Ultra Tower is its limited availability. As it is only sold factory direct, you won't find it in traditional retail stores. This may be a drawback for those who prefer a hands-on experience before making a purchase decision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SVS Ultra Tower is a remarkable speaker system that offers an impressive soundstage, articulated bass response, and a visually stunning design. With its flagship status and competitive pricing, it outperforms higher-priced competitors in many aspects. While there may be minor issues with treble reproduction and limited availability, the overall performance and value for money make the SVS Ultra Tower a worthy contender for anyone seeking a high-performance speaker system for their home theater setup.
