SVS SB12-Plus First Impressions
SVSound is no stranger to the hallowed pages of Audioholics.com. Building their reputation on products with a high bang-for-the-buck value (and this small sub is one impressively big bang-for-the-buck product), they are renowned for their comparatively large products, such as the mighty SVS PB12Plus-/2 reviewed earlier in this web page.
Wait a sec... small ? Huh SVSound?
SVSound has a product line that is in a constant state of evolution and the SB12-Plus is their answer to the needs of the market segment that has been clamoring for a smaller sub for those applications where something like the PB12Plus-/2 would be outright overkill and not likely to meet with the approval of any significant others dwelling within earshot of said item.
First Impressions
Unpacking the SB12-Plus was pretty quick and I had it out of the box and up & running in under 5 minutes. As has been my experience with other SVSound products, the design of the shipment carton & packing is well thought out and provides for a safe transport container.
Right from the get-go its obvious SVSound has spared nothing where it came to distilling their engineering know-how into this small (for them!) subwoofer. They've brought forward most of the same processor features found in their larger, more costly products, fitted it out with a seriously tweaked 12" driver and packed it all into a cabinet with a footprint only slightly larger than 1 square foot. Small.
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| Black Vinyl | Oak | Maple | Gloss Black | Rosenut |
SVSound offers the SB12-Plus in a variety of finishes (Black Vinyl, Oak, Maple, Gloss
Black and Rosenut). Whether you're choosing the finish to minimize visual impact, harmonize with
your décor or just keeping the significant other happy, having a variety of available finish options is
important.
The model delivered for review featured a maple finish ,a clean faceplate, (no mount points!) and a back panel bristling with enough knobs, switches and jacks to keep all but the most terminally tweak contented.
The Driver
The driver chosen for this model, the Plus 12.3 is the 3rd version or generation (hence the ".3") of a driver that has already established a successful track record with SVSound. Two years in the making, it represents a significant advancement over the original item. Here's a current list of design highlights:
Bi-filar wound, high-temp, 4-layer 2"aluminum voice coil with Mil-spec polyimide insulation
- High temperature polyamide voice coil bobbin/former
- Dual progressive poly-cotton spiders with integrated power leads
- Custom tooled spider landing for increased lateral stability
- Cast aluminum frame with integrated cooling vents - epoxy powder-coat finish
- Chrome plated spring loaded push terminals
- Integrated single piece rubber wrap-around gasket
- Black anodized high grade aluminum cone diaphragm with inverted aluminum dust-cap
- High-excursion, custom SBR surround (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber)
- Dual stacked select grade ferrite magnets
- Low carbon 1008 steel single piece T-yoke and gap plate - electrophoresis finish
- Absolute highest quality acrylic adhesives used throughout
- Extreme excursion capability, enhanced efficiency and durability
- Small batch, hand-built in SVS's dedicated Ohio assembly line
