In this review, we will be comparing SB17 Ultra R Evolution and SuperSub XXL, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and GoldenEar. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL have a totally different setup: the SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution features 1 x 17-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SB17 Ultra R Evolution has a frequency range of 15-320 Hz whereas SuperSub XXL has a frequency range of 10-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the SuperSub XXL can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SB17 Ultra R Evolution's min frequency of 15Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution's and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL's external dimensions. SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution has external dimensions of 508.0 x 495.3 x 539.8mm () whereas GoldenEar SuperSub XXL has external dimensions of 447.0 x 485.0 x 434.0mm (17-9/16inch x 19-1/16inch x 17-1/16inch).
SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 10.3mm wider, 61mm taller and 105.8mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub XXL.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution is approximately 2673.6cm2 / 414.4inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is approximately 2104.9cm2 / 326.3inch2. The SB17 Ultra R Evolution requires 27% more surface area than the SuperSub XXL which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution weighs 56.25kg / 123.8lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL weighs 37.27kg / 82lbs. This makes the SB17 Ultra R Evolution 51% heavier than the SuperSub XXL.
Here is a comparison of how SB17 Ultra R Evolution and SuperSub XXL's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution
 Woofer Size |
17 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
320 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
15 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
two 13-inch x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
447mm
vs
508mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2104cm2
vs
2673cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
2700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution needs about 27% more floor area. SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution stands 106mm further into the room. SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution is 61mm taller.
| General |
SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
| Brand |
SVS |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
15-320 Hz |
10-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
2800-watt RMS |
1600-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
6000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
17" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
508.0mm (20") |
447.0mm (17.6") |
| Width |
495.3mm (19.5") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
539.8mm (21.3") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
56.25kg (123.8lbs) |
37.27kg (82lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a passive radiator one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL goes deeper - 10Hz against 15Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution has the bigger amplifier - 2800W against 1600W RMS, about 2.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (17" against 2 x 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is about 31% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | A | SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL costs less - $2,499 against $2,700, about 7% less. |
A SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution B GoldenEar SuperSub XXL
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution measures better, GoldenEar SuperSub XXL costs about 7% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, GoldenEar SuperSub XXL will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, SVS SB17 Ultra R Evolution is usually the easier one to make sound right. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.