SVS SB-4000

I have a mental checklist of features that I look for in an elite powered subwoofer. The first few — sonic realism, visceral "oomph," room adaptability, and ease of control — are crucial components of performance. SVS' SB-4000 checks off each of these boxes with ease. I had the pleasure of demoing this fine sub when SVS visited our headquarters for a recent training. The '4000 proved its versatility by generating wall-shaking bass during demanding movie scenes. But it also served up controlled, subtle low frequencies during quieter passages. Use this sub with confidence as part of a high-end stereo or home theater system. You won't find any knobs or dials on the back of the SB-4000. Instead, everything is controlled from a free app on your smartphone or tablet. I'll get into the more nuanced aspects of this sub in a moment. But first things first: the SB-4000's most notable trait is its sheer brute strength. Its heavily braced enclosure houses a massive 13-1/2" woofer. This exceptionally large surface area...