Arendal Subs vs SVS Subs

[neil-h]

Does anyone have any experience as to whether the Arendal subs are better than the SVS subs as far as definition, distortion, tightness, etc.  Power output is not a concern as I don’t crank the volume way up. Just wandering if I would gain much with an Arendal sub. The SVS was a huge improvement over my Velodyne sub just as the Arendal Monitors were a huge improvement over my Magnat (not imported in the USA anymore) speakers. I’m a sealed sub person and currently using the SVS SB13 Ultra. I am happy with it.

[Thomas Gunvaldsen]

This use comment should be relevant to the discussions here. I would have told you guys the same thing, but no need to take my word for it.

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[Hans Erik Sæbø]

Breakfast🍳 for Arendal imo👏 had 2 pb16 ultras, now I got 4 AS 2V. Complete mayhem!

[Michael]

I’m confident Arendal subs perform better than SVS, but due to room size and needed placement I went with 2 SVS PB-3000’s. Like many of you, I have the wife factor to consider. She thinks the SVS subs are too big and should be hidden. Let her know they have to be in a certain position and that’s that. The struggle is real maaaaaaan.

[arkmann]

Michael I understand having to go with what fits and what makes everyone happy.  I don’t have room for anything bigger than the SVS subs in my listening room.  In the family room where we watch TV I downsized to a Sonos Beam 2 and mini sub.  The family doesn’t want anything too big or too loud.  They’re happy and I’m happy.  That’s what compromises are all about.

[Andre S.]

SVS SB16 piano gloss black vs Arendal 1723 1V satin black

As I share my experiences, I hope to provide a personal perspective on the nuanced performance differences, build quality, and aesthetic appeal of these two subwoofers.

The sealed design of the SVS SB16 undoubtedly packed a punch, delivering impressive output given its size. However, the Arendal 1723 1V introduced a realm of finesse and low-frequency output that truly set it apart. The Arendal’s transformative performance goes beyond incremental improvements, revealing layers and depth that significantly outperform the SVS.

Interestingly, my SVS SB16 exhibited a ground loop hum when connected to some electrical outlets in the back of my room, when my Arcam processor was turned off. In contrast, the Arendal remained consistently silent in the same setup, showcasing its superior engineering.

On a personal level, the Arendal 1723 1V surpasses the SVS SB16 in build quality, featuring a furniture-grade finish that reflects meticulous craftsmanship. The SVS, in comparison, seems less refined and, subjectively, appears less aesthetically pleasing. This isn’t just about looks; it’s about the tangible sense of quality that the Arendal brings. It looks so much better in a living room setting.

I was so impressed with this Arendal sub that after months of living with it, I decided to buy a second one. It arrived 2 weeks ago and now I know what it truly means to have a reference level home theater system. The synergy of dual subs is magical. The finesse and scale are far beyond what one sub can do. You will hear new layers and details, the movies and concerts sound so large and realistic even at lower volumes!

My subwoofer journey started years ago with 2 REL S3 subs and they were a great addition for music but did nothing for home theater. The upgrade to SVS SB16 kept me relatively happy for a few years but no amount of tuning and placement were able to extract all that was in the movies. Quality and nuance of bass output are equally important to me as SPL at lowest frequencies.  The 1723 1V is able to do both with beautiful looks, very high quality, an amazing warranty and at a price I could afford. I would strongly advise anyone looking for a sub to start with Arendal. When considering all factors, nothing comes even close in these price categories.

 

[Thomas Gunvaldsen]

Thanks for sharing, Andre. I am sure there are quite a few wondering about the differences in sound you are explaining between the SVS SB16-Ultra and our 1723 Subwoofer 1V. Great write-up!