Short answer: the SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution is the newer model that replaces the SVS SB16-Ultra, but only the SVS SB16-Ultra has been measured and ranked so far, so this comparison is on specs and features rather than sound. The SVS SB16-Ultra is discontinued, so it is now a used buy.
What the SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution offers: Sealed 17-inch high-excursion driver with dual 8-inch voice coils, driven by a 2,800W RMS dual-monoblock amplifier.
What the SVS SB16-Ultra brings: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 103.1 dB at 20 Hz and 119.0 dB through 40-80 Hz.
Price: the SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution lists at $2,699.99 and the SVS SB16-Ultra at $2,300.
Buy the SVS SB16-Ultra if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution if you want the newer model, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution | SVS SB16-Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.99 | $2,300 Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #73 of 109 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Drivers | 17” driver, dual 8” voice coils | 16” (406mm) driver |
| Amplifier Power | 2800W RMS | - |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz extension (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Cabinet Color | Piano Gloss Black, Black Oak Veneer | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | - | 86.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 91.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | - | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 103.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | - | 109.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | - | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | - | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | - | 119.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | - | 119.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | - | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 119.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 119.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | - | 119.0 dB |
| Dimensions | - | 20”H x 19.5”W x 20.1”D (508.0 x 495.3 x 510.5 mm) |
| Weight | - | 121.9 lbs (55.3 kg) |
| Warranty | - | 5 |
| Measurement Source | - | Audioholics |
| Inputs | - | XLR (balanced, LFE/stereo), RCA (LFE/stereo) |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| RCA Input | - | Yes |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution: $2,699.99 SVS eBay
Older models: the SVS SB16-Ultra (rated 4.1/5) and the SVS SB13-Ultra (rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Sealed 17-inch high-excursion driver with dual 8-inch voice coils, driven by a 2,800W RMS dual-monoblock amplifier. SVS rates extension to 15Hz. The SVS Subwoofer app adds DSP control and Auto EQ room calibration. It replaces the SB16-Ultra, whose ported sibling the PB17-Ultra R-Evolution has been measured and ranked.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared with ranked subwoofers. A sealed flagship at this price gives up deep output against ported designs of the same size, so a large room may still call for two.
Full SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2800W RMS |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | Piano Gloss Black, Black Oak Veneer |
| Country | United States |
| Drivers | 17” driver, dual 8” voice coils |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz extension (manufacturer specified) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
SVS SB16-Ultra: $2,300 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 103.1 dB at 20 Hz and 119.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 16” (406mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 508.0H x 495.3W x 510.5D mm cabinet and 55.3 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration. Discontinued.
Full SVS SB16-Ultra review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 119.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 20”H x 19.5”W x 20.1”D (508.0 x 495.3 x 510.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 16” (406mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced, LFE/stereo), RCA (LFE/stereo) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 86.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 91.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 103.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 109.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 119.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.8 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 121.9 lbs (55.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons