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  1. Home
  2. SVS Speakers
  3. SVS Prime Satellite vs SVS Prime Elevation

SVS Prime Satellite vs SVS Prime Elevation Comparison

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Speaker to replace
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SVS Prime Satellite

Passive Bookshelf | 69-25k Hz

SVS Prime Satellite
Check price atAmazon›
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SVS Prime Elevation

Passive Surround | 55-25k Hz

SVS Prime Elevation
Check price atAmazon›
SVS Prime Satellite SVS Prime Satellite
Check price atAmazon›
SVS Prime Elevation SVS Prime Elevation
Check price atAmazon›
SVS Prime Satellite
See at AMAZON
SVS Prime Elevation
See at AMAZON

SVS Prime Satellite vs SVS Prime Elevation Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by SVS. SVS Prime Satellite is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Prime Elevation is a Surround speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of SVS Prime Satellite and SVS Prime Elevation first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsSVS Prime SatelliteSVS Prime Elevation
BrandSVS
United States · founded 1998
SVS
United States · founded 1998
Design2-way2-way
Tweeter1" Hard-Dome1.0" Hard-Dome
Woofer4.5" Polypropylene4.5"
Frequency response69-25k Hz55-25k Hz
Sensitivity85 dB87 dB
Impedance8 ohms8 ohms
Power range20-150 watts—
Weight3.00kg / 6.6lbs3.54kg / 7.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)8-13/16" x 4-15/16" x 6-3/8"
224.0 x 126.0 x 162.0mm
9-5/16" x 5-1/2" x 7-7/8"
236.5 x 139.7 x 200.0mm

Prime Satellite and Prime Elevation are members of SVS's Prime series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

SVS Prime Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
SVS Prime Tower
  
Floor-standing 30-25k Hz 87 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
SVS Prime Bookshelf
  
Bookshelf 48-25k Hz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
SVS Prime Center
  
Center Channel 48-25k Hz 86 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
SVS Prime Pinnacle
  
Floor-standing 29-25k Hz 88 dB8Ω 3 x 6.5"
SVS Prime Satellite
Bookshelf 69-25k Hz 85 dB8Ω 1 x 4.5"
SVS Prime Elevation
Surround 55-25k Hz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 4.5"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

Both Prime Satellite and Prime Elevation are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 4.5 inch
SVS Prime Satellite
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 4.5 inch
SVS Prime Elevation

TweeterWoofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

Driver SVS Prime Satellite SVS Prime Elevation
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1.0-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 4.5-inch 1 x 4.5-inch

Prime Satellite features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Prime Elevation features a 1.0" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Woofer.

Frequency Response

Prime Satellite has a frequency range of 69-25k Hz whereas Prime Elevation has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Prime Elevation can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Prime Satellite's min frequency of 69Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Prime Satellite
Prime Elevation
Min
Average
Median

Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Prime Satellite and Prime Elevation have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Prime Satellite sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Prime Elevation's is at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the SVS Prime Elevation a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Prime Satellite, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Prime Satellite
Prime Elevation
Min
Average
Median

Which plays louder on your amplifier?

Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are considering, and watch both numbers move.

SVS Prime Satellite
 
SVS Prime Elevation
 

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Prime Satellite features 5-Way post type posts and Prime Elevation has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

SVS Prime Satellite Terminals
SVS Prime Satellite's 5-Way post terminals

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 Prime Satellite's and SVS Prime Elevation's external dimensions. SVS Prime Satellite has external dimensions of 224.0 x 126.0 x 162.0mm (28-32inch x 4-15/16inch x 6-3/8inch) whereas SVS Prime Elevation has external dimensions of 236.5 x 139.7 x 200.0mm ().

SVS Prime Elevation is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 13.7mm wider, 12.5mm taller and 38mm deeper than SVS Prime Satellite.

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTSVS Prime Satellite front: 126 x 224 mm (5 x 8.8 in)SVS Prime Elevation front: 140 x 237 mm (5.5 x 9.3 in)SVS Prime Satellite126 × 224 mmSVS Prime Elevation140 × 237 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTSVS Prime Satellite footprint: 126 x 162 mm (5 x 6.4 in)SVS Prime Elevation footprint: 140 x 200 mm (5.5 x 7.9 in)SVS Prime Satellite126 × 162 mmSVS Prime Elevation140 × 200 mm
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.

SVS Prime Elevation needs about 37% more floor or shelf area. SVS Prime Elevation is 38mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. SVS Prime Elevation is 13mm taller.

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 Prime Satellite is approximately 204.1cm2 / 31.6inch2 and base area of the SVS Prime Elevation is approximately 279.4cm2 / 43.3inch2. The Prime Satellite requires 27% less surface area than the Prime Elevation which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of SVS Prime Satellite?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Prime Satellite:
  • 2 Satellite loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber bumpers
  • Owners Manual
  • SVS brochure
  • Online Product Registration Card


Reasons to choose SVS Prime Satellite over SVS Prime Elevation

Height 224mm vs 236mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 204cm2 vs 279cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 349USD vs 550USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Reasons to choose SVS Prime Elevation over SVS Prime Satellite

Sensitivity 87 dB vs 85 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Low Frequency Response 55 Hz vs 69 Hz Generates deeper bass

SVS Prime Satellite vs SVS Prime Elevation Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General SVS Prime Satellite SVS Prime Elevation
Brand SVS SVS
Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Surround speaker
Sensitivity 85 dB 87 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Impedance 3.2 ohms n/a
Frequency Response 69-25k Hz 55-25k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 4.5" 4.5"
Woofer Composition Polypropylene
Woofer Surround Material Rubber n/a
Tweeter Size 1" 1.0"
Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Firing Direction rear n/a
Physical Specs
Height 224.0mm (8.8") 236.5mm (9.3")
Width 126.0mm (5") 139.7mm (5.5")
Depth 162.0mm (6.4") 200.0mm (7.9")
Weight 3.00kg (6.6lbs) 3.54kg (7.8lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex
Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
Available Colors Black Black Ash
Mounting Bracket
Recommended Stand Height 28-32" n/a
Grille Yes n/a
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs No n/a
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

Verdict

Siblings in SVS's Prime series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.

AreaBetterWhy
BassBSVS Prime Elevation digs deeper - 55Hz against 69Hz.
Amplifier needsBSVS Prime Elevation is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
SizedependsSVS Prime Satellite is easier to place; SVS Prime Elevation is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
TypedependsA Passive Bookshelf against a Passive Surround - a different job rather than a better one.
PriceASVS Prime Satellite is cheaper - $349 against $550, about 37% less.

A SVS Prime Satellite  B SVS Prime Elevation
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.

Which should you choose?

The usual trade-off: SVS Prime Elevation measures better, SVS Prime Satellite costs about about 58% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 69Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper SVS Prime Satellite much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, SVS Prime Elevation has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, SVS Prime Satellite is the easier speaker to get right.

And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.


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