In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by SVS. SVS Ultra Elevation is a Surround speaker whereas the Ultra Evolution Bookshelf is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of SVS Ultra Elevation and SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
SVS Ultra Elevation Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Composite glass-fiber Woofer
- 48-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:5.60kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 283.0" x 7.28" x 9.82"( 283 x 185 x 249.4mm )
SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer
- 40-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:8.60kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 382.0" x 8.66" x 11.64"( 382 x 220 x 295.6mm )
Ultra Elevation and Ultra Evolution Bookshelf are members of SVS's Ultra Evolution series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
SVS Ultra Evolution Series History
What size room are the SVS Ultra Elevation and SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
SVS Ultra Elevation |
SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the SVS Ultra Elevation and SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Ultra Elevation and Ultra Evolution Bookshelf are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
SVS Ultra Elevation |
SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Ultra Elevation features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900Hz. On the other hand, the Ultra Evolution Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
Ultra Elevation has a frequency range of 48-40k Hz whereas Ultra Evolution Bookshelf has a frequency range of 40-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Ultra Evolution Bookshelf can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Ultra Elevation's min frequency of 48Hz.
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 Surround class in our database.
Low Frequency
Surround Speakers
Ultra Evolution Bookshelf
High Frequency
Surround Speakers
SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Ultra Elevation and Ultra Evolution Bookshelf have the same Impedance of 6 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.
Sensitivity
Surround Speakers
Ultra Evolution Bookshelf
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Ultra Elevation and Ultra Evolution Bookshelf has the same power range of 20-150 watts.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Ultra Evolution Bookshelf features Gold-plated 5-way posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Ultra Elevation has a Gold-plated 5-way which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Ultra Elevation's Gold-plated 5-way terminals
SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf's Gold-plated 5-way terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Ultra Elevation and Ultra Evolution Bookshelf have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Ultra Elevation's and SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf's external dimensions. SVS Ultra Elevation has external dimensions of 283 x 185 x 249.4mm ( 11.14 x 7.28 x 9.82”) whereas SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf has external dimensions of 382 x 220 x 295.6mm ( 11.14 x 8.66 x 11.64”) .
SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 35mm wider, 99mm taller and 47mm deeper than SVS Ultra Elevation.
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 Ultra Elevation is approximately 460.7cm2 / 71.4inch2 and base area of the SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf is approximately 651.2cm2 / 100.9inch2. The Ultra Elevation requires 29% less surface area than the Ultra Evolution Bookshelf which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Mounting Bracket 
Height 
Base Surface Area 
Price per pair* 
Woofer Size 
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring