SVS 3000 MICRO Review – Sub specialist’s micro machine
The desire for more bass is there, but integrating a subwoofer can be challenging? The 3000 Micro from SVS might be the easy solution to many problems.
The subwoofer specialist SV-Sound from the USA, commonly known as SVS, is actively expanding its portfolio. The latest stars in the bass sky are the PB 1000 Pro (with bass reflex), SB 1000 Pro (sealed), and the 3000 Micro.
We will be looking at the latter in this test. SVS’s range now stretches from the monstrous and wall-threatening SB-16 Ultra down to the cute 3000 Micro. But don’t let its charming appearance fool you. The pressure it delivered during the test raised doubts if it was indeed just a small bass cube at work.
POSITION: Compact, ranged above SVS’s 1000 and 2000 Series models
PEERS: REL T/7x; KEF KC62; SVS SB-2000 Pro
In home theaters, it has long been good practice to integrate one or more dedicated subwoofers into the speaker setup for an immersive sound experience. However, even two-channel listeners are increasingly turning to these bass boxes, often not sticking to their speaker brand. SVS ranks high in customer favor.
The reasons for this lie in the fair pricing and the ease of use, particularly the brilliant app control. If an AV receiver with sophisticated microphone-based calibration at the listening position is not available, app control from the sofa is a must-have. Since traditional stereo setups usually work with amplifiers without calibration, the app is especially valuable here.
But where to place the subwoofer? The black boxes (with or without front grills) often don’t blend well with home decor. This is where the 3000 Micro comes into play. The small cube, with dimensions of 29.7 x 27.2 x 27.7 cm (LxHxW), doesn’t take up much space. The front side only features a discreet SVS logo. The bass drivers on the left and right are behind round grills. It comes in “Piano Gloss Black” and “Piano Gloss White,” both looking very elegant. The sub connects via stereo RCA inputs and outputs, one of which can be used for the LFE output of the amplifier if available.
Due to the opposing movement of the drivers, which means the signal is phase-shifted by 180 degrees, the movement forces cancel each other out, preventing vibrations from transferring to the cabinet and the floor. During the test, the precision of the bass reproduction stood out. The 3000 Micro’s cabinet is sealed, which is generally advantageous for music playback. The bass in the listening room was so powerful that it was hard to believe the tiny subwoofer was solely responsible. Of course, there are volume limits, but it’s more than sufficient for the living room and potentially annoying the neighbors. Kudos to the developers at SV-Sound; the 3000 Micro is a real problem solver.
APP CHECK
The SVS app is clearly one of the best on the subwoofer market. It runs on iOS, Android, and Fire OS devices. The app allows easy and comprehensive control of crossover frequencies, the parametric equalizer, polarity, room gain compensation, and many other bass management functions.
Many functions can be adjusted directly on the device. Both visually and acoustically, the SVS 3000 Micro integrates elegantly.
IN-WALL SOLUTION
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who builds the best in-wall subwoofer? In-wall installations are trendy. Nothing should disrupt the home ambiance, with the entire system, including speakers, hidden in the walls. This is understated elegance. SVS also offers the option to integrate the 3000 Micro into the wall. For this purpose, the subwoofer has been virtually disassembled into its components. The amplifier module with DSP control can be installed separately from the driver modules. Bluetooth app control remains fully functional. This ingenious solution will be presented for the first time at High End 2022 in Munich.
Specs
DRIVERS: 2 x 8in aluminium cone woofers ENCLOSURE: Sealed, with dual-opposed driver configuration ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED): 800W (RMS) Sledge amplifier FREQUENCYRESPONSE (CLAIMED): 23HZ-240HZ (+/-3dB) REMOTE CONTROL: No. SVS Bluetooth app instead DIMENSIONS: 278(h) x 297(w) x 271(d)mm WEIGHT: 10.2kg
FEATURES: Stereo/LFE line-level input;stereo output; Intelligent Control Interface (ICI); 50MHz Analog Devices Audio DSP; 12V trigger; auto standby/on control; low pass filter, phase, polarity, room gain compensation and parametric EQ on SVS control app; structurally reinforced MDF cabinet
Laboratory
Frequency response
Despite the compact dimensions, the 3000 Micro plays deep into the frequency basement; 22 Hz is astonishing. Thanks to DSP support, the 3000 Micro manages to reproduce the lowest frequencies like a big one. App Features: Slope lowpass, room correction (high-pass), and 3-band parametric EQ.
Dynamic Range
The 3000 Micro delivers exceptional levels for its size. To prevent the dainty 8-inch cones from fluttering and distorting at the lowest frequencies, the electronics lock down at 93 dB. Above a still remarkable 30 Hz, the 3000 Micro plays considerable volumes.
SVS 3000 Micro vs. KEF KC62
The top purple curve is the SVS 3000 Micro, while the curves below are various playback levels of the KEF KC62. The dynamic EQ limiter kicks in hard in the 30 to 80 Hz range where bass is more needed and noticeable in my experience.
Just this weekend I was testing adding an SVS SB-3000 low passed very low at 32 Hz to fill the sub bass from my main speakers. Testing with sine waves it was extending alright below 30Hz to 20 somethings. Then I played lots of bass heavy EDM and acoustic jazz bass, and when I turned off the amplifiers of my main speakers, I could barely hear the sub, even with my ears next to it! The result was kind of surprising and very disappointing: it makes virtually no difference for music!
My testing showed that the most important range is 30 to 80 Hz, which is exactly where the 3000 Micro wins over the KC62.
Ref: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/svs-3000-micro-subwoofer-announced.21504/post-829827
Verdict
With its compact dimensions and elegant finish, the SVS 3000 Micro offers an incredibly wide range of applications. The 800 watts (RMS power) from the Class-D amplifiers deliver significant punch. The app control and DSP settings enable perfect adaptation to room conditions.
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