SVS Subwoofer Mods SVS SB2000 Modification to SVS SB2000 Subwoofers and other brands

UPDATE: After a year of research, and much listening and testing, we are proud to announce the  release of our new smaller 4 inch crossoverless single driver speakers and our new 6.5 inch crossoverless single driver speakers.  Like our well reviewed  reference 6.5 inch single driver speakers, they have an extremely clear, large, full range big speaker sound, but now will available in a much smaller foot print. Both models are available for order. Feel free to contact us for more information.  

The price on this ad of $270 is for modification of the subwoofer, and includes optional feet and free shipping in the continental USA. The purchase price of the unit ($699 for the SB2000) is NOT included in the modification price.
  
In the words of The Absolute Sound’s Robert Harley, Stereo Dave's Audio Alternative is a “small, but passionate” (TAS #229, Feb 2007) audio company in Gresham, OR (near Portland). We make our own custom-made, crossoverless single-driver speakers (that really work), subwoofers, interconnects, and speaker cables. We have also been modifying audio components of different makes and models for more than a decade.

We have a very positively reviewed Modified 8 inch Pioneer Subwoofer (SW-8mk2), but we were looking for a higher powered, bigger subwoofer with a larger driver. We knew SVS subwoofers had a good reputation and have been reviewed well in audio and home theater magazines. We decided to give them a try. 

Upon listening the unmodified subwoofer, in it's normal front firing position, we felt that it was a better than average subwoofer in the depth of bass that it produced. But we also felt that we could modify it to be much better. 

The first step in our modification was changing the configuration of the subwoofer from frontward firing to downward firing. We include optional feet that you can easily attach to do so yourself. From our listening, we noticed that if we turned the subwoofer more towards a downward firing position, the bass suddenly became much more focused, defined, darker, and deeper. This was so apparent that we ended up by designing small feet to be attached to the subwoofer itself. These feet can most likely be used on many other subwoofers with the same design as well. 

Next we worked on modifying the subwoofer itself in terms of the driver and amplifier. After modification, the SVS SB2000 subwoofer had more depth, texture, more bass on the bottom especially, and it had a larger defined "slam" on the bottom. It was one of the better modified 12 inch subwoofers that we have listened. For a 12 inch subwoofer, it was the most compact that we have run into that has an adequate sound out of the box, though, much better sound performance after its been modified. The $270 price for modification includes optional feet and free shipping in the continental USA. The purchase price of the unit ($699 for the SB2000 is NOT included in the modification price).

Feel free to send us other SVS models to be similarly modified or other subwoofer brands also. 

FREE SHIPPING AND HANDLING BACK TO YOU IS INCLUDED IN THE MODIFICATION PRICE

We also modify all makes and models of receivers, players and other pieces. We can also modify such subwoofer brands as Velodyne, JL Audio, REL, and others. We also modify Rotel, Harman Kardon, Pioneer Elite, Peach Tree, Mark Levinson, Parasound, and other pieces. 

We also modify DACS, floorstanders and bookshelve speakers on a regular basis. Please call for pricing. 

Here are a few excerpts of the new review online on Home Theater Review by Terry London:

"Excited to contact Sean Scoggin of Stereo Dave's Audio Alternative, I called him to discuss what his modifications were to the Pioneer SW-8MK2 and discovered that they use a proprietary method to influence and speed up the electron flow of the subwoofer's amplifier. Modifying the driver allows the subwoofer to move faster and have better freedom in its excursions for accuracy and speed in its ability to track the low frequencies it is replicating. All the modifications successfully work to quicken the subwoofer and increase its bandwidth/frequency range, making the subwoofer sound faster, more powerful, and deeper while still maintaining bass texture and detail.

When I got the pair of modified SW-8MK2 subwoofers from Sean, I set them up exactly as the stock pair had been set up in my system. To my amazement, I heard the sonic improvements in the first few moments of auditioning the modified pair. The modified SW-8MK2 subwoofers truly were much faster and more dynamic, they created deeper/flatter bass extension, and they had more accurate tonality in a natural way, making their integration with my Mandolins even more seamless. With this modification, the SW-8MK2 significantly outperformed my T-7.

...The modified version of the Pioneer SW-8MK2 subwoofer takes this already excellent performing unit to another sonic level across the board in speed, power, bass extension, and accurate bass tonality.

...if you choose to have the SW-8MK2 modification done by Sean Scoggin's company for an additional $150 (plus shipping and handling costs), you have a subwoofer that performs at a sonic level that normally would cost you at least a couple thousand dollars. "

Stereo Dave's Audio Alternative

971-221-7317

[email protected]

Customer Feedback

Every once in a while, we get emails back from customers that take the time to let us know how they liked their modified units. Below is one of the recent ones referring to a Modified Pioneer Player:

"Hi Sean

I had a chance to do some listening to the modified Oppo (103) player and was not prepared for the difference in sound I heard compared to the stock unit. Most noticeably, the sound stage has hugely expanded, which, upon first hearing, made me shake my head in disbelief. The location of the instruments is more precise and the low end frequency much more palpable. There is just "more" of everything in the presentation of the music. I have had many mods done to my audio equipment over the years and your mod ranks near the top of the list for the degree for sonic improvement for the investment. You mod is a huge improvement over the already fine stock unit. Thanks a million!" Mark from California

Sean,

I love the sound of the modified player. I have it hooked up using the analog inputs. I didn’t change anything in my set up except to swap players. It sounds way different than the Denon 2900: better in every way. The biggest difference for me was how the player made the speakers disappear. Does that make sense? Music sounded ok with the Denon, but it was just a source to play cd’s, nothing special.

I listen to all types of music: swing music from the 30’s and 40’s, Latin or Salsa music for dancing, smooth jazz for night time listening, 70’s soft rock and classic rock. I’m all over the board. The player did make a difference in the presentation of the music. One example is the bass: the Denon’s bass was rather bloated. I didn’t notice this until i had the chance to listen to the Pioneer. The Pioneer’s bass was more natural. The bass blended better with the music and didn’t sound like it was “in your face”.

The vocals sound great as well. Even my 14 year old commented on how the voices sounded smoother and more natural. He even mentioned that it sounded like there was a center channel speaker hidden somewhere for the voices to come out of and “float in the air”. Nope, just my Tekton Lore speakers.

The Pioneer has taken my listening enjoyment to a new level. Kudos to whoever designed the mod because it does sound awesome!

Thank you, 
Javier

Here is feedback from one of our modified HK 990 units from a customer:

Sean,

Forgive the late feedback, but just to say I absolutely love the amp. This is just the sound I was looking for.

Thank you,

Andrew