I have a mental checklist of features that I look for in an elite powered subwoofer. The first few - sonic realism, visceral "oomph," room adaptability, and ease of control - are crucial components of performance. SVS' SB-4000 checks off each of these boxes with ease.
I had the pleasure of demoing this fine sub when SVS visited our headquarters for a recent training. The '4000 proved its versatility by generating wall-shaking bass during demanding movie scenes. But it also served up controlled, subtle low frequencies during quieter passages. Use this sub with confidence as part of a high-end stereo or home theater system.
You won't find any knobs or dials on the back of the SB-4000. Instead, everything is controlled from a free app on your smartphone or tablet.
I'll get into the more nuanced aspects of this sub in a moment. But first things first: the SB-4000's most notable trait is its sheer brute strength. Its heavily braced enclosure houses a massive 13-1/2" woofer. This exceptionally large surface area means there's a ton of bass wave generation.
This mammoth driver is powered by a 1200-watt RMS amplifier which allows it to produce commanding bass all the way down to 19 Hz (that's dipping into subsonic territory - bass you feel but can't hear).
Simply put, this sub is a beast. But its hard-hitting bass isn't sloppy or undefined. To the contrary, I found the SB-4000 offers a high degree of accuracy and low-frequency definition.
You'll find the SB-4000 simple to operate and control. There's no reaching behind it to fumble with hard-to-see dials and switches. Instead, make settings changes right from the front-panel interface - or easier still, the included IR remote control.
You can also control this sub via a free app on your phone, which lets you select your room's layout, change audio settings, and switch modes right from your seat.
SVS knows that a sub's performance is largely determined by the acoustics of your room, and your subwoofer's position within it. Thankfully, this enormous sub (did I mention it weighs over 100 pounds?) doesn't have to be wrangled into a single "sweet spot" in your room. It offers a host of sound adjustments that let you get great sound wherever it's located.
Use the app to adjust crossover frequencies, parametric EQ settings, polarity, room gain, and other bass management functions. You can even save up to three groups of tailored settings as presets. These let you set up and switch between "listening modes" for a particular time of day or entertainment source. For instance, you can easily dial the bass down for nighttime listening.
SVS was founded in 1998 by a group of audio enthusiasts seeking to develop a better alternative to the under-performing and over-priced subwoofers popular at the time. By leveraging advanced technology, using the highest quality components, and applying rigorous engineering and design principles, the SVS team has developed a line of high-performance, high-value audio products that bring music and movies to life with stunning realism.
SVS SB-4000 owner's manual