I really like your new format. I see the change. I'm respecting your opinions. Thanks.

SVS fanboy here, heard the big towers at axpona, glad to know that the bookshelves are good too, I can afford/justify these but probably not the towers, one day maybe, thanks Randy!

@DavidPluimer

24 күн бұрын

Those things were damn impressive. For me, that (SVS) was the most exciting room of the show.

Awesome

Always Randy, I learn so much. Interesting, approachable content!

I started with a PC2000 sub and then bought a SVS Ultra center to replace the Jamo S62Cen that was not up to the task later I bought a pair of Prime bookshelfs as rear speakers but when listening to music they outperformed the Jamo S628 towers I had when paired with the sub. And when running 5.1 audio and letting the Ultra center do it's thing the high and mid where way better. So later also bought Ultra bookshelfs for from use and still love how they sound. Got a 5.2.4 setup now with the Jamo S622 as atmos speakers. They sound quite similar to the svs and are good enough for surround duty. I would like to compare the new Ultra Evo's one day but I can also see myself still using these in 10 years only upgrading my receiver from a X4400h to something better like a X8500h, Rz70, Cinema 30 or newer.

SVS has quietly been making some nice speakers, these look nice, not groundbreaking, but another good option. Focal killers? Hyberbole (not surprising...). Nice speakers tho.

Your SVS Ultra fan boy here now needs to add this speaker to my bucket list. Thank you so much for this review and your perspectives. I hope and trust all is well. Take care, brother.

The Headline mentions “Focal Killer”…you do briefly mention they both share the same Time Alignment design, picturing the towers not the Stand Mounted version… I was expecting a direct comparison Randy!!??

@ivanfilatov7913

25 күн бұрын

They aren't... SVS can't touch Focal, like many other brands.

@steverino5054

25 күн бұрын

Right, it's a bold claim, and unless he's heard them side by side…..

@scottlowell493

18 күн бұрын

@@ivanfilatov7913 They are. they have better parts and design across the board than my former Focal aria 906. The 906 are now $2200in the usa. Crappy crossover parts and Junk ALMG tweeter, which is NOT the full focal drivers as in the JM labs models. The aria easily get beaten by these.

@ryangonyer9498

8 күн бұрын

@@ivanfilatov7913 Depends on the model

$1900 a pair in Canada

@johnlocke_1

25 күн бұрын

Thanks. You saved me from having to research and finding out i cannot afford it.

For whatever reason, SVS bookshelves never spoke to me; however, I love their subs... I have the PB13 Ultra in their rosewood cabinet... nice...

Thanks for the review! I have been waiting for more people to get their hands on these speakers in the wild so that I can hear/read their opinions. SVS needs to go ahead and release the Ultra Evolution Bookshelf in Black Oak. They should’ve been out by now.

Hey Randy, I was one of your first 17 subscribers. I have since subscribe / unsubscribed numerous times. Not because of you, because of my addictive personality. I found myself buying way too much gear and then selling it at a loss. Love what you do, keep up the amazing work. Don't lose your sense of humor.

@rotelfan2000

25 күн бұрын

dont worrying about selling at a loss, as long as youre havin fun. there's worse things to be addictive to that cost way more money........like Heroin or gambling...lol

@divadgnol67

25 күн бұрын

@@rotelfan2000 Agreed, my wife is even on board with my audio addiction. Almost her words exactly.

@siriosstar4789

25 күн бұрын

you are a lucky guy to be married to such a lovely woman .

@festerofest4374

19 күн бұрын

@@divadgnol67 Happy husband at home enjoying music... she should have no complaints! Some fellow dudes I know prefer hobbies that leave the wife behind at home!

I have the Ultra's and got them on sale. Very happy with them. When I added the SVS sub they got even better (imaging). Did you try them with and without the sub and did imaging change?

Sound signature wise, would you prefer the new Emotiva bookshelves or the SVS Evo?

Thumbnail is clickbait - thought this review was for a head to head on front loader washing machines.

Thanks Randy

When you pulled out that white speaker cover my first thought was oh no Rockville StinkyGlue. Traumatized!

@cheapaudioman

26 күн бұрын

Make me chuckle

I own the a12 classic advance Paris absolutely amazing

Really dig the new format

Do you think the Cambridge evo 150 is best used as a preamp or does it hold well enough on its own? Do you think because it’s a classic D it lacks something. I have the evo 150 DeLorean ! And can’t decide if I want to run separates with its per outs or just run it as is and keep it simple. I noticed you didn’t use the evo here with out the amps. Just wondering if you feel it’s not enough on its own sound wise and best as just a streamer processor?

Thank you for providing reactions to songs as well as descriptions! These look incredible, but I just hooked up with a pair of Infinity SS 2003 bookshelf speakers that need refoaming of the surrounds. The end cost to me for a pair of Infinity Sterling Series SS 2003 $63/pr! Yeah!

Instruments like bass guitar and drums don't rly go lower then 40hz without mastering so the speakers are fine for that. Electronic music and movies is where the subwoofer would have to do the lifting in theory.

These do look like really well designed speakers for the money. Would love to hear them one day!

Yep. They look great. Bookshelf speakers, to me, are the hardest to setup as usually they only sound good on a pair of stands and the listener in the perfect listening position. Did you test on actual bookshelves?

Not 100% sure the shape does anything for sound quality but the esthetics are super premium looking… I do wish they would stay away from the high gloss lacquer finishes. I have three sets of NHT speaks and this type of finish is a fingerprint and scuff magnet!

Look it's simple, if this all you could afford, by all means go for it. But don't let your journey end here. Because, the good news, it gets a whole better, the bad news it's going to cost

What camera do you use. It might be the lighting but you channel so just so clear compared to other KZreadrs.

My favorite MOBILE audio purchases this year, to date: - ARTTI T10 (planar IEM for under US$60, AliEx sale) - Muse HiFi M4 (BT DAC/AMP for under $100, AliEx sale) - Hidizs MP-145 (planar IEM for under US$120, AliEx sale) - iBasso CB19 USB-C adapter that allows me to couple a dongle DAC (or Muse M4, or BTR5) plus a power brick, so as not to drain the phone battery; under US$18 on AliEx)

I will be interested to see the measurements. I get the feeling they have a rising treble from impressions, just a guess though.

I have a pair of SVS Ultra BS. which I do like, and thinking of trying the upgrade to the Evo Ultra BS. Good company. Great job reviewing here! 👍

Maybe you could review these with the Layman's amp of 80 watts of Channel like a Onkyo

There is no way that degree of offset will deal with the acoustic offset between the tweeter and woofer. If they have bothered, most of the time correction is still in the crossover. I suspect its just a USP thing 'because they can' designed to fool the gullible for marketing reasons. Its certainly stylish, and if you wired the woofer and tweeter directly out through the port and tested the reversed null at the crossover frequency (likely about 2k) you would be able to tell. Pretty sure you have REW and the means to do that. The depth offsets on the big utopias are greater, and the mid/tweeter have a different design. Its very difficult to align acoustic offsets so that you can use a textbook LR with a 6.5" woofer and a tweeter that's not recessed in a wave guide.

Interesting to hear about the height placement being lower than ear level - in that regard, for a smaller space. How would this compare to the Dali Rubicon 2, which would be similarly priced?

Great review! I can't wait to hear how the new ELAC Debut 3.0 bookshelfs sound. I'm sure they will be easily outmatched by the SVS Evolutions, but will be far more forgiving for poor recordings.

I heard them last weekend buying them just waiting for the oak cause the wife. I like the piano black. But they rock. They sound like little Towers

3 and 1/2 years, time really flies, I'm with you since day 1, congrats! Really nice product and good to look at as well and, if wife/gf friendly, another major plus. Very competitive segment at this price, lots of good products and not so easy to choose with not too many stores around. Agreed on the Klipsch RP600M, I bought them based on rave reviews but never really liked them and now they are retired in their original boxes in the basement waiting for some sort of final destination.

@cheapaudioman

25 күн бұрын

You are the best, my friend. Thank you for being here from the beginning

Every reviewer needs to have a dog. They need to record the dogs impression listening to the speaker. And tell how high the volume went before the dog showed signs of discomfort. 🙂 The speaker that goes the loudest without upsetting poochie, wins most dog friendly speaker. You must leave the speaker unmodded and unequalized and then ran through room correction, state the room correction software used, and equalize it to where you like it and state how many times you ran the room equalizer before settling on a sound you liked.

Great review as always. I thought your observation about Led Zepplin recordings was spot on.

Lije the way you oulled off the sock it was very Burlesque

Been a subscriber from the beginning, love your work. I wish you would test these speakers with amps or avrs that are also on the cheaper side. Stay cheap Randy! Keep up the good work

My 24 year old VAF DCX speakers have time aligned drivers. Not sure why most other makers don't use this.

@nexus4googleplay612

25 күн бұрын

Because it's easier to time-align the signal through the crossover.

@djfirestormx

25 күн бұрын

@@nexus4googleplay612 its not easier, its faster to manufacture. physical alignment is easier to calculate and build into a crossover WITHOUT having phase issues

Great review as always. Will you be checking out the Evolution Center or the Nano’s?

I'm not surprised a speaker built with the angles would be directional. I mean i assume they are meant to be heard straight on.

but do they compete with the goldenear brx? i been looking for a decent pair of bookshelfs to replace these very beginner level jamo s 803's i have...dont get me wrong the jamo's amazed me for there price but its time to upgrade to much better speakers since i have components that very much outclass these jamo's.....

As a fellow child of the time, do you have a preference for the Hysteria recording? Is the half speed master worth it?

OMG, how do U do it 😳

not sure what's an appropriate amp for a $1200 bookshelf speaker that needs 200wpc dynamics. Maybe perfect for the new dayton audio A-400

Taga diamond 60v3 good speakers?

Do a head to head comparison with the Focal. That would be enlightening.

$2900 in Australia. Not cheap by any means.

@paulburke9198

25 күн бұрын

Yes Mr Chaep audio, respect and love the work, but it ain't so cheap here in Australia 😢, I have a cheap monitor audio bronze 100 's OK but, gonna try to save for a upgrade, and idea's aren't ignored.

@sanonmars

6 күн бұрын

Anywhere outside US they are expensive. Here in Asia ( India to be specific in India) is equivalent to 2500 US$, for which one can get any European brand 3 way tower ( for reference i got Wharfedale Evo 4.4 for 2000 US$ 2 years back, which was same US price.)

So far for my old ears tweeters made out of aluminum sound the best.

I just bought some speakers bc of you

@CarlVanDoren61

26 күн бұрын

30-day trial?

@AndyBHome

26 күн бұрын

What did you get? Please share!

@D1N02

25 күн бұрын

Don't blame Randy for your actions!

@peytonsnead3114

25 күн бұрын

But it is Randy's fault! 😂

@elmerbais

25 күн бұрын

Same here . 😅

The SVS weighs 1/3 of what a Diablo Utopia weighs. The Focal is made in France with drivers built and engineered in house, the SVS is made in China, likely with 3rd party off the shelf drivers. Kind of apples to oranges. I’ve heard the Diablo Utopia and own Scala Utopia Evo’s. I haven’t heard a budget speaker which competes with the Utopia line. At a minimum, you’d be looking at YG, KEF Reference 1 Metas, or something of that level to get in the ballpark.

I have an SVS Ultra Center paired with 2 Elac Debut 5.2 BS speakers for my L/C/R in a HT setup. Thinking that someday I would buy 2 SVS Ultra BS speakers to complete my tonal balance. Well, now that SVS has "evolved" the Ultra line what should I do ?

@tedkay5272

25 күн бұрын

You can still use the new Evolutions with the Ultra center. SVS claims they will still match timbre.

@YitbosSwede

25 күн бұрын

If you bought within a year, SVS has a Trade-Up program. This seems targeted at upgrading from lower lines to Ultra, or smaller bookies to towers possibly, but they make an exception for new lineups.

@peytonsnead3114

25 күн бұрын

I have the 5.2s and really enjoy them. I need a DAC and amp before changing out the speakers, lol.

Focal has beryllium. It wins. PVD has been around for a long time used In other industries.

@ivanfilatov7913

25 күн бұрын

Focal speakers are so awesome that SVS had to copy their design a bit. But SVS can't touch Focal, well many brands can't. Focal even shines in low level listening, While these SVS and many others sound ' lifeless'.

@MichelLinschoten

25 күн бұрын

Bunch of nonsense by both of you tbh

I just removed my ultra bookshelves for an old pair of JBL 4312 controller monitors. Wow I didn’t realize how much better the sound could be from not that much larger of a speaker.

@scottlowell493

18 күн бұрын

Small two ways just can't replicate the effortless large 3 way speaker experience.

Bi-wire strips will wreak havoc on your sound. Just sell bi-wiring ports for people who want to go through the trouble instead of pushing it to everyone. Now you will need to remove the plates and use short speaker wire with spades to connect them. (or take out the binding post and solder everything to a single set of posts). I think European pricing is too high even accounting for VAT.

@wswsn7396

26 күн бұрын

I will biamp

How do they fare against the Buchardt s40 🤔

I'm looking to replace my NHT 2.5's... hard to do.

Moral of the story is I need to try carrot cake.

@steverino5054

25 күн бұрын

It's delightful really.

I noticed these Evolution line are 6 ohms and the Ultras are 8 ohms Would my Emotiva XPA 3 gen 2 8 ohm drive the 6 ohm speakers without heating up my amp? Anyone if you can share a video on how this works. Thank you 👍🏼🔊

I am about to pull the trigger on the CSS 1TDX (LCR)... thoughts vs this? As a Retired AF, I am biased though 😆

@OZK-MTB

25 күн бұрын

I have the 1TD’s and absolutely love em

@welderfixer

25 күн бұрын

CSS - closest to American made and Veteran Owned. Big pluses!

@OZK-MTB

25 күн бұрын

@@welderfixer exceptional customer service as well! Nothing but good things to say about CSS! The bass from my 1TD’s is actually mind blowing for a bookshelf speaker

@AggMeisTer28

25 күн бұрын

@OZK-MTB I just ordered mine. I emailed them since they didn't have the option to order just one speaker for the center. Dan Poinsett is the one who replied and set me up with three 1TDX for LCR setups. I just got an email, too, and it just shipped, the customer service is impeccable!

@thomassemrov9403

24 күн бұрын

If you look thru Randy's archives you'll find a video where he states he had to get the CSS speakers out of his house because it just wasn't fair to the stuff he was reviewing at the time, this should tell you everything you need to know, my 1TD's are just stupid good.

Sounds like these will have the same short comings as my KEF LS50's in that they are power hungry and live in the upper 20% of what my Anthem Amp puts out and low volume is non-existent . They would go well with my SVS PB3000 sub though...

Randy. Any chance you can review (talk about) the StarkeSound Beta 7? its only $750 a set and they said they price would go up after release at some point. They look really interesting. Brand new model

Randy, you might want to give Thomas and Stereo's TS Voyagers MK and 2 a listen. Maybe even his TS A75 Amp.

How do these compare to Emotiva xb2? Which ones sound better to you ?

@cheapaudioman

25 күн бұрын

These have very different sound signatures to me. I prefer the emotive. I like the air and the crispness.

. Lol, with the video edit, it LQQKs like the dog gets teleported. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

Hi, Can someone clarify, what is the name of these speakers, it is SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf Speakers or SVS Evolution Bookshelf Speakers? Thanks

@MisterDoItNice

25 күн бұрын

SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf.

@feelgeorge

25 күн бұрын

@@MisterDoItNice Thanks

Would be great for some reviews of real HiFi outdoor/patio gear. Theres alot of great stuff out there thatll blow the doors off any crappy bluetooth speaker any day. Let see some rock speaker reviews, some burial subwoofer reviews, etc etc

Did you listen to both side by side on a system that's doing the Focal or TAD justice?

@cheapaudioman

26 күн бұрын

no

@kadajawi2

26 күн бұрын

@@cheapaudioman That's what I thought. I mean, I like your style and content, but I feel like you're shouting louder and louder that everything new is a giant killer. You can only cry wolf so many times until no one believes you anymore. A bit nuance would be nice, if KZread allows it. (The video itself was fine I think, but that thumbnail...)

@cheapaudioman

26 күн бұрын

@@kadajawi2 not everyone watches all of my videos or is even suggested all of my videos. My job is to get people to watch. And I appreciate you watching and even being aware of my obnoxious titles and thumbnails. In reality over half of my audience won’t even know that this video exists so when they do see it I only have one chance to get their attention. Most people won’t hear me crying wolf. I wish it wasn’t the case because I’d love to use less hyperbolic thumbnails and titles but that’s not the game. Until the majority of the audiences’ psychology changes I’ve got to stick with what works. And this title and thumbnail may change multiple times today. I choose title and thumbnails Based of performance. So in a couple of hours I’ll check. If it’s performing below baselines it will change. If not it stays.

@ADREISTER

25 күн бұрын

Now that you say it, it's the reason I won't start a channel as a business. Because the more I must "play the game", it takes over what the channel is about. The game as a job isn't attractive to me as a business model, mainly because I see what it does to the content as the game becomes the priority. 😢

@MichelLinschoten

25 күн бұрын

​@@kadajawi2"my job is to get people to watch" Did you just figure out he's a shill ? Or you're new to this channel.

Hey cheap audioman! Great video but my question is are the ultra-evolution bookshelf's better than the ultra-bookshelf's, especially since there is a $500 difference between them with the ultra-evolution bookshelf's costing $1200 and the ultra-bookshelf's costing $700? I'm sort of leaning toward the ultra-bookshelf's as there is not a major difference between them.

3.5 years? Congrats, I remember, I didn't much like you at first....you were 'trying too hard', but I decided to wait and see what you did... I now watch every vid you upload. 🙂 Thank you for the entertainment! Your videos are time well spent.

I had the ultras..They were too cool and analytical for me. Wondering how these fair

New camera for this review?

Ur welcome even though I don't really watch u anymore. It's hard to do this full time and keep it interesting.

Picking on focal? What model

@cheapaudioman

20 күн бұрын

Eleventwen

Did you make this video on an empty stomach? Pecan crusted chicken and some carrot cake sounds good.😅

I really love the looks of these, but alas, way out of my price range

Doesn't look like cheap audio anymore on the channel LOL

Sorry it's the ULTRA EVOLUTION series!

Tiramisu? Vs Chocolate?? 🍫

Zircon encrusted tweezers!!

@luxlamf

25 күн бұрын

Gunna be a dental floss tycoon...

@peytonsnead3114

25 күн бұрын

I might be moving to Montana soon ..

@francoisathome5979

25 күн бұрын

Thumbs up for the Zappa references!

I hate, HATE, portable speakers. I feel they're used exclusively by people with bad taste in music and no concept of public etiquette.

@YitbosSwede

25 күн бұрын

Mostly agree, but they have their stop-gap purposes. I'm not checking a bag to fly with something like a SMSL/Micca combo for a 2-3 day Airbnb.

@stevengagnon4777

25 күн бұрын

They have their place and time. But I don't think many whould say Heifetz is in bad taste. The 30$ I spent for my stereo pair of groove onn. Small Rugged Speakers has been priceless for bringing music to the nursing home and playing music for my mother when I'm there. Onn. really need to make a small rugged bass speaker to go with them too. But these are not party speakers by any means....they do sound good for what they are.

the rich who can afford the focal. 10,000+ dollars to them is like spending 100 bucks. no big deal. it’s like saying to stallone, sell all your fancy cars and just drive a 20k civic. ain’t happening.

“Focal Killer” and no reference to Focal in the video. SVS is horrible for music. Please stop clickbait

@cheapaudioman

25 күн бұрын

Said it gave me focal vibes. I’d love to get some in for review though. I highly doubt that would happen

Mmmm chocolate cake!

I've mortgaged my house and sold a kidney because of Randy. ok, just kidding. So, what are these speakers warm or V shaped?

Unboxings: Foreplay for audiophiles.

Why don't you include links for information and purchase of the components that you used for your testing? and ... why do you not test with components off your Recommended Components list? It would be nice to have a review of the performance that would be experienced using these speakers with the actual components that are on your Recommended list. OR, if for some reason the components you used for testing are far superior to those on your Recommended list, then maybe you need to update that list?

Dome tweeters not ideal for reference listeners

Oh yes, 87db, that's why they don't sound well on lower volume.

I feel people hang their ears way to much on what a strangers experiences are with a product. Its very situational, you cant state "it's better" no room , set up , or set of ears and end user demand of a system is the same. Stop drinking the kool aid a stranger to you is selling as an actual "fact" it's not. Experience it for yourself...

Focal aria 906: $2200/pr. poor quality crossover (.25 cent caps) , poor tweeters. (they are flanged, and NOT the better focal drivers) SVS evolution: $1199/pr, better everything.

LoL! Come on now brother...

No offense this review was not very good. The language was not specific and the talking points were all over the place. Are you saying that the evolution is chocolate and the ultra is carrot cake and they are totally different, how so.? Are you saying that the ultra is does not have good imaging, does not have wide soundstage, does not have a good dynamics or clarity transparency? As far as voicing and Tamber, matching the engineers say they Tamber match these speakers so that they can play well with other speakers in the lineup. Furthermore, the ultras I have, and they sound wonderful, transparent, great imaging, wide sound stage, and good dynamics. Nevertheless, these may have a slightly better Twitter and may have some improvements which is why they are evolutions and revolutions nary and sound.

If they destroy the focal Diablo, it will destroy all other well-known brands in the whole world that manufacture in that price range, Wilson, Kharma., Etc, etc.

I'm triggered every time you tap the driver cone. Please stop! 😅 And..., btw, that's not a dog! It's a four legged mogwai. Great review as ever Randy, btw.

Been watching you for a while lost me today at the personal sponsor ad that broke directly into a commercial break.

I bet you were very expensive underpants Mr cheap audio man... 🤯

Wrong speaker placement