The PB17-Ultra R|Evolution will likely prove to be a huge success for SVS. It is a noticeable upgrade to their previous flagship, the PB-16 Ultra. This subwoofer excels when pushed, having dynamic range to spare. The app makes tuning a breeze, the resulting sound quality and performance means you’ll probably want to own it for years. This is a long term investment, one you’ll almost certainly be reluctant to upgrade for a very long time.
The new SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofer is a monster. It will handle anything your surround sound processor can send to it. The only limitations are the foundations of your home. At $2,999.99, it is one of the best subwoofers on the planet.
For those with the space to accommodate it and a system worthy of matching its capabilities, the SB17-Ultra R Evolution will provide years of seismic enjoyment. Just make sure your foundation is solid—both in terms of your floor joists and your relationship with bass-sensitive neighbors. SVS's engineering team developed a sophisticated dual mono amplifier specifically tailored to complement the dual voice coil design of the 17-inch driver. This amplification system incorporates a lightning-fast 295 MHz Analog Devices DSP processor—five times faster than previous generations—that continuously monitors and optimizes performance. This processing power enables the system to extract maximum output from the driver while simultaneously preventing it from exceeding its mechanical limitations under any circumstances
The SB17-Ultra took everything I threw at it, from music to movies, without breaking a sweat. It doesn’t match a ported sub for sheer low-end extension, but it gets close enough that the trade-offs are minimal, especially if space is a concern. Run a couple of these in a decent-sized room, and you won’t be missing much. Priced at $2,499, it’s not cheap, but the performance backs up the price. There aren’t many sealed subs that can hit this hard while staying this controlled. Add in auto EQ and full app-based adjustments, and it’s hard to beat. While I’ve always preferred ported subs, this one has me reconsidering. For its performance and convenience, the SVS SB17-Ultra earns an AVSForum Top Choice for 2025.
If you are looking for a single badass sub to power a home theater, the PB17-Ultra can do that. If you are looking for a sub that can complement your high-fidelity music setup, the PB17-Ultra can do that as well. It can even take care of the low-end of a recording studio for those looking for an accurate subwoofer for content creation. The performance lacks nothing. The only question is size and price. The PB17-Ultra is not an inexpensive sub at $3k, but I think it's a great deal when you consider all aspects of the product. The main question is, can you fit this behemoth into your listening room? If so, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try; this is a subwoofer that will surely bring smiles to its listeners.
This subwoofer is scarily fun. It goes subsonic without effort, making films not only immersive but adds a childlike enjoyment when the action begins. It isn’t all brawn though, music remains nuanced and it handles complex and taxing low frequency soundtracks without complaint. I struggled to find any major fault and for this it deserves the Best In Class product award.
Jan 08, 2025 | Full Review…
The PB17-Ultra R|Evolution will likely prove to be a huge success for SVS. It is a noticeable upgrade to their previous flagship, the PB-16 Ultra. This subwoofer excels when pushed, having dynamic range to spare. The app makes tuning a breeze, the resulting sound quality and performance means you’ll probably want to own it for years. This is a long term investment, one you’ll almost certainly be reluctant to upgrade for a very long time.
Jim Wilson
Nov 25, 2024 | Full Review…
The new SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution Subwoofer is a monster. It will handle anything your surround sound processor can send to it. The only limitations are the foundations of your home. At $2,999.99, it is one of the best subwoofers on the planet.
John E. Johnson, Jr.
Mar 19, 2025 | Full Review…
For those with the space to accommodate it and a system worthy of matching its capabilities, the SB17-Ultra R Evolution will provide years of seismic enjoyment. Just make sure your foundation is solid—both in terms of your floor joists and your relationship with bass-sensitive neighbors. SVS's engineering team developed a sophisticated dual mono amplifier specifically tailored to complement the dual voice coil design of the 17-inch driver. This amplification system incorporates a lightning-fast 295 MHz Analog Devices DSP processor—five times faster than previous generations—that continuously monitors and optimizes performance. This processing power enables the system to extract maximum output from the driver while simultaneously preventing it from exceeding its mechanical limitations under any circumstances
Indiana Lang
Jun 01, 2025 | Full Review…
The SB17-Ultra took everything I threw at it, from music to movies, without breaking a sweat. It doesn’t match a ported sub for sheer low-end extension, but it gets close enough that the trade-offs are minimal, especially if space is a concern. Run a couple of these in a decent-sized room, and you won’t be missing much. Priced at $2,499, it’s not cheap, but the performance backs up the price. There aren’t many sealed subs that can hit this hard while staying this controlled. Add in auto EQ and full app-based adjustments, and it’s hard to beat. While I’ve always preferred ported subs, this one has me reconsidering. For its performance and convenience, the SVS SB17-Ultra earns an AVSForum Top Choice for 2025.
Erik Wesley
May 26, 2025 | Full Review…
If you are looking for a single badass sub to power a home theater, the PB17-Ultra can do that. If you are looking for a sub that can complement your high-fidelity music setup, the PB17-Ultra can do that as well. It can even take care of the low-end of a recording studio for those looking for an accurate subwoofer for content creation. The performance lacks nothing. The only question is size and price. The PB17-Ultra is not an inexpensive sub at $3k, but I think it's a great deal when you consider all aspects of the product. The main question is, can you fit this behemoth into your listening room? If so, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try; this is a subwoofer that will surely bring smiles to its listeners.
James Larson
Jun 03, 2025 | Full Review…
This subwoofer is scarily fun. It goes subsonic without effort, making films not only immersive but adds a childlike enjoyment when the action begins. It isn’t all brawn though, music remains nuanced and it handles complex and taxing low frequency soundtracks without complaint. I struggled to find any major fault and for this it deserves the Best In Class product award.
Matthew Eisengruber