Short answer: the SVS Ultra Bookshelf is the more neutral speaker, though neither is flawless. Its response stays within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average, a real step up from the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, but it still has a boosted upper mid-range that the reviewer suspects is a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue. The Yamaha NS-800A counters with a cleaner cabinet and a wide 2kHz-10kHz scoop, at $4,999.90 against $1,200.
Buy the Yamaha NS-800A. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the SVS Ultra Bookshelf is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha NS-800A | SVS Ultra Bookshelf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,999.90 per pair | $1,200 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #58 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #64 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer | 6.5” composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) | 14.9”H x 8.5”W x 10”D |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz | - |
| Power Handling | 40W nominal, 120W max | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 | 5.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.43 | 8.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 20-150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Yamaha NS-800A compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab C6B vs Yamaha NS-800A
- KEF R3 Meta vs Yamaha NS-800A
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Yamaha NS-800A
- KEF R3 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Wharfedale Super Linton vs Yamaha NS-800A
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha NS-800A: $4,999.90 per pair The Music Room eBay
Pros: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all: confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. Good, wide directivity (~75 degrees horizontal) that stays consistent enough to EQ successfully. Distortion is low, staying under 3% at 96dB, and dynamic range holds up well until right near its 102dB limit. A shallower, higher-frequency bass rolloff profile (F3 68Hz, F10 35Hz) means it can be placed closer to the wall (about a foot) without turning boomy, actually gaining bass presence rather than losing it. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.9dB.
Cons: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character: notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison. On top of that, treble breaks up badly above 10kHz, swinging up as much as 8dB: a significant, named flaw. Sounds inconsistently voiced as a result (bright on some material like cymbals and shakers, dull/laidback on vocals and instrument attack) until corrected with real parametric EQ (the reviewer needed a +2dB boost around 4.5kHz at Q0.5 plus taming the treble spike to bring it to life) combined with near-wall placement and 30-degree toe-out. Without that combination, it’s a tough sale for a $5000 bookshelf speaker.
Full Yamaha NS-800A review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 9.1”W x 14.1”D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.25” dome tweeter, 6.5” mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 40W nominal, 120W max |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.43 |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs (13.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Yamaha NS-800A vs ELAC DBR62
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Technics SB-C700
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Yamaha NS-800A vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Infinity Reference R162
- Yamaha NS-800A vs JBL HDI-1600
- See all 22 comparisons
SVS Ultra Bookshelf: $1,200 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: Noticeably more tonally neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, with response staying within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average: a genuine step up in linearity for roughly double the price. Slightly higher sensitivity than the Prime (about 87.8dB) with similarly wide, consistent horizontal radiation. Toeing the speakers out about 30 degrees smooths the in-room response nicely if the on-axis tonal balance runs a bit forward for your taste. Distortion and dynamics hold up well; this is a mature, well-regarded design (roughly a decade old at review time) that’s aged better than many contemporaries. Measured bass extension of 69Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.8dB.
Cons: Still has a boosted upper mid-range/mid-range area, though less severe than the Prime: the reviewer suspects a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue rather than a resonance, giving mixes a slightly forward, occasionally tinny character. Bass extension is modest for the price (F3 69Hz, F10 48Hz measured): SVS is clearly counting on you pairing this with one of their subwoofers rather than expecting full-range performance from the bookshelf alone. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 3.8 ohms, so a 4-ohm-stable amplifier is recommended rather than a basic 8-ohm-only AVR. Radiation pattern is wide (around 80°), wider than the reviewer’s typical ~60° sweet spot preference, so acoustic treatment on nearby walls helps tame reflections and keep the off-axis response from diverging too much from on-axis. Discontinued; SVS replaced the Ultra line with the Ultra Evolution series.
Full SVS Ultra Bookshelf review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.9”H x 8.5”W x 10”D |
| Drivers | 6.5” composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1” aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.63 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.10 |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Infinity Reference R162
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC DBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- See all 11 comparisons