SVS SB-3000 User manual

SB-3000
OWNERS MANUAL

Congratulations on bringing home one of the
nest subwoofers ever made!
The SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer embodies all the technology and engineering advancements made
since we developed our rst subwoofer nearly two decades ago. You can feel proud nowing
your SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer was masterfully engineered to deliver the deepest, most powerful,
accurate and detailed bass experience possible. Between the unsha able 13.5-inch SB-3000
driver, e ortlessly powerful Sledge STA-1200D ampli er, industry- rst smartphone DSP and
subwoofer control app and other brea throughs, the SB-3000 represents the nest subwoofer
performance you can get for anything close to the price and will provide many years of
jaw-dropping low frequency performance.
We now you are eager to get your new subwoofer set up, so in this owner’s manual, you will
nd instructions on placement, connection, tuning and more. Our SVS Sound Experts are
available seven days a wee to ta e the guess wor out of setting up your new subwoofer. They
are equipped to handle even the most complicated questions about placement, calibration, AV
receiver settings and more.
One of the most useful features of your SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer is the free SVS App, which can
be used to ne tune performance from the convenience of your mobile device. Just visit the
Apple® App® Store or Google Play Store and search “SVS App” to get started.
For faster installation, please refer to the SB-3000 Subwoofer Quic Start Guide.
If you have any questions about your SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer, please contact us directly.
www.svsound.com custservice@svsound.com (877) 626-5623
Happy Listening!
owners manual
| page 1
version 1.1.06142017

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
Weight:
102.3 lbs (46.4 kg)
Dimensions (w/ grill):
18.3” (465mm) H X 17.8” (453mm) W X 20.9” (530mm) D
Ampli er Power:
1,200 watts co ti uous power / 4,200 watts peak dy amic power
Driver Design:
• Proprietary 13.5” Driver with ely tu ed Overhu g Motor Co guratio
• 43lb (19.5kg) pou d Woofer with 37.7lb (17.1kg) pou ds for the motor
• Overhu g 52mm Xmax, 76.2mm Xmech precisio alig ed excursio
Frequen y Response:
19-310Hz ± 3 dB
Max Low Frequen y Output:
126.8dB @ 32Hz 1/8 space 1m
SUBWOOFER SPECIFICATIONS & FEATURES
SUBWOOFER SPECIFICATIONS
Proprietary 13.5” high-performa ce SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer Driver - optimized for sealed
cabi et desig .
8-layer alumi um at wire edge wou d 3” voice coil for ultra-low distortio , e cie t heat
dissipatio , exceptio al li earity a d early zero power compressio .
Two massive, dedicated toroidal ferrite mag ets ge erate u paralleled levels of mag etic
force to drive the highest levels of excursio , SPL, a d start/go power for the deepest a d most
authoritative bass possible.
High de sity FEA-optimized cast alumi um basket provides u equaled levels of rigidity, te sile
stre gth, a d e ergy tra sfere ce available from a subwoofer.
Dual 24-stra d copper a d Nomex composite high-temperature leads wove through the
suspe sio provide a remarkably durable electrical co ectio from the ampli er to the voice
coil.
Premium glass ber lami ated dustcap a d rei forced, ve ted paper-composite co e
sub-structure e sure a light, rigid, a d eutral radiati g surface.
Precisio machi ed motor eleme ts a d arrow tolera ce suspe sio parts produce
u matched li earity at full excursio for exceptio ally tight a d fast respo se, eve at
refere ce volumes.
Extreme oversized low carbo ve ted steel U-yoke a d top plate provide superior cooli g a d
improved mag etics for maximum performa ce a d e cie cy.
Copper ri g shorti g sleeve reduces gap i ductio a d distortio , e ha ces thermal co duc-
tivity.
Nickel-plated high-te sio spri g termi als provide secure co ectio s.
Proprietary i jectio molded gasket a d parabolic SBR extreme-excursio surrou d mai tai s
ideal pisto ic motio for pi poi t accuracy a d co trol.
High quality low carbo 1008 steel compo e ts with black electrophoresis plati g for extra
lo g life.
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DRIVER FEATURES
page 2 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
SUBWOOFER SPECIFICATIONS & FEATURES
Massively powerful Sledge 1,200-watt continuous Class D design with 4,200 watts of Pea
Power.
Unmatched intelligence from user adjustable low pass, phase, polarity and room gain compen-
sation with three parametric EQs for absolute best alignment with spea ers and optimized
performance in any room.
Groundbrea ing SVS Bluetooth DSP control app for iOS and Android devices with three user
presets allow custom tuning for every room and system.
High e ciency cool-running Class D switching topology with massive 32 Amp 600 Volt
MOSFETs result in lower EMI and highest e ciency while providing e ortless power to
produce SPLs and low frequency output with pristine clarity well beyond reference listening
levels.
High resolution 50Mhz Analog Devices Audio DSP with double precision 56bit ltering is the
most advanced subwoofer processor available for perfect audio reproduction.
100v-240v full range input active Power Factor Correction (PFC) pre-regulates mains to solid
360V DC regardless of mains voltage or quality so the sound quality never falters no matter
whats coming out of the wall.
Active PFC lowers average current and smooths mains input current allowing for 1200W output
from a standard 15A mains circuit.
XLR and RCA stereo input/output with ultra-wide input voltage for consumer and professional
audio applications.
Convenient front-mounted display featuring new Intelligent Feature Control (IFC) with bright
blue dimmable/defeatable 8-digit LED front display.
Auto/On and 3-30V AC/DC trigger for maximum installation convenience.
Input impedance 22 ohm (unbalanced RCA)/ 22 ohm (balanced XLR).
Green 0.5-watt low standby power consumption.
RoHS compliant, lead-free construction, world-wide safety certi cations.
AMPLIFIER FEATURES
owners manual
| page 3

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
SUBWOOFER SPECIFICATIONS & FEATURES
The most powerful and exible Bluetooth controlled subwoofer DSP app, works with both iOS
and Android operating systems
Easiest and most convenient way to adjust crossover frequencies, parametric EQ, polarity,
room gain and all other bass management functions
Convenient custom presets allow for perfect tuning in any room or system, from your favorite
seat
Unique bidirectional feedback shows adjustments in real time on both app and subwoofer
interface
Easy-to-follow tutorial provides clear guidance for all functions
SVS APP FEATURES
Protective non-resonant steel mesh grill
IR remote control
Iso-elastomer feet
Extra heavy-duty, high current 6 power cord
SB-3000 Subwoofer Owners Manual
Quick Start Guide
ACCESSORIES
page 4 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
Speci cations & Features............................................................................................................ 2
Connecting Your Subwoofer........................................................................................................ 6
AC Power Connection............................................................................................................ 7
Line Level Connection Single LFE Channel........................................................................ 7
Line Level Connection - Stereo Receiver or Preampli er Left/Right Channels................
Connecting Multiple Subwoofers......................................................................................... 9
Control Settings for AV Receiver and Processors............................................................... 11
Control Settings for Stereo Receiver or Preampli er......................................................... 11
Subwoofer Room P acement..................................................................................................... 12
Subwoofer Contro Options....................................................................................................... 15
SVS Bluetooth App................................................................................................................ 15
IR Remote Control................................................................................................................. 15
Front Subwoofer Panel......................................................................................................... 15
Advanced Subwoofer Contro s.................................................................................................. 16
Volume................................................................................................................................... 16
Low Pass Filter....................................................................................................................... 16
Phase Adjustment................................................................................................................. 16
Polarity................................................................................................................................... 16
Parametric EQ....................................................................................................................... 16
Room Gain Compensation................................................................................................... 16
Presets................................................................................................................................... 17
System Settings..................................................................................................................... 17
Advanced Contro Features Tab e............................................................................................. 18
IR Remote Contro F ow Chart................................................................................................... 19
Safety Instructions..................................................................................................................... 20
FCC & IC Comp iance................................................................................................................... 22
C eaning & Cabinet Care............................................................................................................. 23
Warranty & Support.................................................................................................................... 23
Share Your Thoughts.................................................................................................................. 23
TABLE OF CONTENTS
owners manual
| page 5

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
The SVS SB-3000 is designed for easy set-up and integration in both multi-channel home theater
and two-channel (stereo) systems. t is best to familiarize yourself with the subwoofer connec-
tions and the rear panel of your AV receiver or preampli er before setting your subwoofer up.
Be
sure your SB-3000 is switched to O before plugging it in or connecting to your AV receiver.
ts also best to use cables with secure connections for optimal bass performance.
n addition to the R Remote Control and front panel control interface, weve developed the
convenient SVS mobile app for both Apple® iOS® and Google Android that allows you to make
adjustments for room layout, personal preferences, movies vs. music, and more. ts the best way
to ne tune your subwoofer for perfect performance from the comfort of your favorite seat.
A full explanation of all the advanced subwoofer DSP controls is available on pages 15-18 in this
owners manual, as well as in the SVS subwoofer app tutorial. The following sections cover basic
connections and control settings when integrating the SB-3000 into a surround sound or two
channel system.
BACK PANEL FEATURES
AC POWER CORD RECEPTACLE
ON/OFF SWITCH
UNBALANCED (RCA) LINE LEVEL INPUTS
3V-12V TRIGGER INPUT
UNBALANCED (RCA) LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
BALANCED (XLR) LINE LEVEL INPUTS
BALANCED (XLR) LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
CONNECTING & CONTROLLING YOUR SUBWOOFER
page 6 |
own rs manual

AC Power Connection
Connect the subwoofer power cord to the subwoofer ampli er and directly into an AC outlet.
Convenience outlets located on the rear panel of some AV receivers or pre/pros are NOT recom-
mended for your S -3000 as these outlets are not meant for high power devices.
Line Level Connection Single LFE Channel
The most common way to connect your S -3000 is with a single RCA or XLR interconnect cable
going from the LFE or SU 1 Output on your AV receiver or preampli er to the LFE Input on your
S -3000. This allows your processor to perform the upstream bass management and send the
subwoofer a pre- ltered mono signal.
CENTER
REAR FRONT
SUBWOOFER
(SUB1)
LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
RECEIVER/PREAMP
SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
CONNECTING & CONTROLLING YOUR SUBWOOFER
Line Level Connection Stereo Receiver or Preampli er Left/Right Channel
oth Left and Right inputs on your S -3000 can be used in a two-channel stereo application with
a stereo preampli er that has Left and Right line level or alanced (XLR) outputs.
Connect the left and right outputs of your preampli er to the left and right line level inputs of the
S -3000 using RCA or XLR interconnects.
owners manual
| page 7

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
CONNECTING & CONTROLLING YOUR SUBWOOFER
Enable and adjust the on-board low pass lter of the SB-3000 for a smooth blend with the main
speakers.
NOTE: For additional guidance on speaker/subwoofer crossover settings, please consult our Sound
Experts or our Merlin subwoofer atching tool at
www.svsound.com/merlin.
www.svsound.co custservice@svsound.co (877) 626-5623
3V-12V Trigger Input
This feature will automatically turn the subwoofer on/o when a si nal is sent to the tri er input
from another component in the system (typically the pre/pro or AV receiver). The other compo-
nent in the system must be equipped with a tri er output feature and requires a TS 1/8 mono
cable (pictured below).
LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
REAR FRONT
R
L
RECEIVER/PREAMP
Line Level Connection Stereo Receiver or Preampli er Left Right Channels (contd)
page 8 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
CONNECTING & CONTROLLING YOUR SUBWOOFER
Connecting Multiple Subwoofers or Going Dual
Running two or more subwoofers has many acoustic bene ts such as: improved frequency
response throughout the listening area, fewer peaks and nulls, increased output and decreased
bass localization. The RC and XLR Outputs provide an easy way to integrate multiple SB-3000s
or other subwoofers into your audio system.
Many V Receivers and Surround Processors have more than one subwoofer output.
s described previously, you can run a single connection from each subwoofer output
to each of your subwoofers.
f you have more subwoofers than Sub Outputs from your V Receiver, an easy
solution is to use an RC splitter or RC Y-adapter to divide the subwoofer output. This
is the most commonly recommended way to connect multiple subwoofers when there
is only one Sub Out.
nother option is to use the Left and Right RC or XLR outputs on the SB-3000 to Daisy
Chain additional subwoofers. Its important to use the matching output and input
terminals. For example, if you are using the RC inputs, be sure to use the RC outputs
to daisy chain to the next subwoofer.
NOTE: While the settings of each subwoofer should be similar, you will probably nd that
each sub will need to be calibrated for optimal performance because of its unique room
placement. Regardless of how you use your subwoofer, e perimentation can often result in
better sound. Don't be afraid to try di erent settings, you can always return the controls to
their defaults.
CENTER
REAR FRONT
SUBWOOFER
(SUB1) SUBWOOFER
(SUB2)
LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
RECEIVER/PREAMP
CENTER
REAR FRONT
SUBWOOFER
(SUB1)
LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
RECEIVER/PREAMP
CENTER
REAR FRONT
SUBWOOFER
(SUB1)
LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
RECEIVER/PREAMP
owners manual
| page 9

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
CONNECTING & CONTROLLING YOUR SUBWOOFER
Connecting Multiple Subwoofers or Going Dual
(contd)
In a 2-channel system you can set up Stereo Subwoofers, where one is used for the Left
Channel and one for the Right Channel. Typically, the subwoofers will be symmetrically
placed according to your spea ers. And be sure to maintain all the correct Left and
Right output and input connections to ensure optimum performance.
LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS
REAR FRONT
R
L
RECEIVER/PREAMP
LINE LEVEL INPUTS
SPEAKER LEVEL
OUTPUTS
R
L
POWER AMPLIFIER
page 10 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
CONNECTING & CONTROLLING YOUR SUBWOOFER
Control Settings for AV Receiver & Processor
If using your SB-3000 subwoofer with an AV Receiver or preamp with bass management, it is
recommended to eave a contro settings in the defau t position, aside from the vo ume, which
a ows you to adjust the eve of output based on your persona preferences. Set the SB-3000
vo ume to -10 before running auto-set-up in the AV receiver/processor.
NOTE: Always re-run AV Receiver auto-set-up after moving the subwoofer to a di erent location to
ensure the acoustic distance and calibration levels are set correctly
NOTE: If you want to run the subwoofer louder than the initial auto-set-up level, adjust the subwoofer
channel level upward in the AV receiver menu until you get the experience and performance you want
An increase of 2-4 dB louder than initial set-up level is common for many customers Volume can be
controlled from your mobile device via the Free SVS App, from the IR Remote Control, or using the
buttons on the front panel interface
P ease consu t the Advanced Subwoofer Contro s section of this owner’s manua or contact our
SVS Sound Experts if you have questions about any of the contro settings.
www.svsound.com • custservice@svsound.com • (877) 626-5623
Control Settings for Stereo Receiver or Pre-Ampli er
Most Stereo Receivers and Pre-Amp i ers do not have bass management. Instead you wi use
the Left and Right fu -range outputs and make adjustments through the DSP amp i er on the
subwoofer.
Be sure to connect both Left and Right outputs to the Left and Right inputs on the subwoofer.
Set the Low Pass Fi ter to “On” and adjust the Crossover Frequency and S ope to achieve a
smooth b end and transition with the main speakers.
Once b ended, adjust the Subwoofer vo ume to match the vo ume eve of your main speakers.
For ner tuning, our
Merlin Subwoofer Selection Tool
provides the recommended ow pass
ter frequency and s ope setting for most oudspeakers on the market. Just choose your brand
and mode of speakers from the menus and Mer in does the rest. It’s avai ab e 24/7, 365 at
www svsound com/merlin
Our SVS Sound Experts are a so standing by to he p with any
connection or contro questions you have about any of the contro s or settings.
NOTE: Volume and low pass lter can be controlled from your mobile device via the Free SVS App, from
the IR Remote Control, or using the buttons on the front panel interface
owners manual
| page 11

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
SUBWOOFER ROOM PLACEMENT
Placement of subwoofers is a process driven by competing variables that di er in every home.
Décor, oor space, furniture, speaker placement, seating location, and of course, sound quality
all factor into the decision of where a subwoofer should be placed. If you have exibility, theres
an artistry to subwoofer placement that can be aided by understanding some basic acoustic
principles and set-up techniques.
If you are limited to a single subwoofer location, its best to nd the ideal listening location in the
room. You ll notice as you move through the room, bass response will vary signi cantly. This is
due to the complex pattern of standing sound waves in the room. Sometimes simply moving a
few feet in any given direction can improve the balance and accuracy dramatically. Once you nd
the ‘subwoofer sweet spot in the room reserve that seat for yourself!
Corner Placement
Corner placement of a subwoofer reduces the potential to encounter nulls, which are acoustic
cancellation points or ‘dead spots in the room. While this can often make for hugely impactful
bass, it can sometimes result in a “boomy” sound depending on your listening position. If you
experience this, you can use the tuning controls to blend your SB-3000 more smoothly with your
speakers or try pulling it further away from the walls to smooth out the bass response.
page 12 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
SUBWOOFER ROOM PLACEMENT
Front Placement
Front of the room placement in between or just to the side of the front channel speakers is
another common choice. Front of the room placement usually results in the best blending with
the main speakers and center channel and minimizes localization e ects.
Side Wall Placement
Side wall placement is less frequently used but can be an e ective subwoofer location for
excellent accuracy and output.
owners manual
| page 13

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
SUBWOOFER ROOM PLACEMENT
Dual Subwoofer Placement
Based on our own extensive testing, and research done by the professional audio community, we
recommend the following placement options for dual subwoofers:
While the rst two options are proven performers with typically excellent results, they are often
di cult to implement in a living/family room environment. All rooms are di erent, so we recom-
mend staying exible and trying all possible placement options for the best results.
Opposite diagonal front/rear corners.
Front stage in the corners.
At the mid-points of the side walls.
Front stage anking the center channel
to the inside of the main speakers.
page 14 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
SUBWOOFER CONTROL OPTIONS
Your SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer can be controlled from the new SVS Mobile App, an included IR
Remote Control or ia the front panel for unprecedented exibility when optimizing performance
for room layout, speakers, system set-up and more.
SVS Bluetooth App
Our groundbreaking SVS Subwoofer DSP app is
a ailable for free ia the Apple® App® Store and
Google Play Store. Just search “SVS App” and
follow the prompts to download to your mobile
de ice. Once installed, there’s a helpful tutorial
that will guide you through each option and
pro ide common settings to simplify the
process. The SVS App is the only way to access
all of the ad anced control features a ailable on
your SB-3000 and it is the most con enient
option for controlling e ery feature.
IR Remote Control
The included IR remote can be used to adjust
nearly e ery one of the ad anced subwoofer
control settings with two-way feedback on the
front panel display.
Front Subwoofer Panel
The front panel features an intuiti e user interface with simpli ed controls that can be used to
adjust the majority of the ad anced subwoofer control settings.
ENTER
UP
DOWN
BACK
owners manual
| page 15

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
ADVANCED SUBWOOFER CONTROLS
Volume
Setting the level too high will cause the bass to seem bloated and is the single most common
cause of bad sounding subwoofers. A rule of thumb is that the subwoofer should not draw
attention to itself, but should simply make the systems low end seem more extended and
accurate. Di erent content has di erent levels of output so adjust volume based on source
material and your personal preference.
Low Pass Filter
Enables smooth sonic transition and at fre uency response between speakers and the
subwoofer. This allows you to control the upper fre uency cut-o to blend with main speakers.
It also allows you to adjust slope, or the rate at which the low pass lter rolls o . If using an AV
Receiver with a Subwoofer Output, leave in the OFF position.
Phase Adjustment
Solves sound wave cancellation issues at speci c fre uencies and perfectly aligns the arrival of
output from speakers and subwoofers to your listening position. Normally set to 0° if the
subwoofer is near the main speakers. Adjusting Phase shifts timing of the subwoofer output to
align with the main speakers or additional subwoofers.
Polarity
In some cases, reversing polarity solves dips or humps at the crossover fre uency between a
subwoofer and speaker and can be used to x bass nulls or overly boomy spots in the listening
area. Reversing the electrical polarity of the subwoofer ampli er makes it so the woofer moves
in when speaker drivers move out and is normally set to positive
Parametric EQ
Powerful tool for removing peaks and dips in your listening area, and for creating custom
subwoofer output based on personal listening preferences. Works best when used with acoustic
measurements.
Allows you to set the desired center fre uency of the lter, increase or decrease the SPL dB of the
lter, or adjust the bandwidth of the lter.
Room ain Compensation
Fixes bloated sounding bass by optimizing low fre uency output and extension when too much
sound wave density is being created by a small room.
page 16 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
CONNECTING & CONTROLLING YOUR SUBWOOFER
Presets
Allows up to three pre-saved settings for movie, music and custom. This enables easy switching
to optimize your SB-3 s output and settings based on your speci c listening preferences with
di erent kinds of content. If using the SVS App, these presets can be renamed as desired.
System Settings
Allows you to adjust subwoofer stand-by mode and display settings such as timeout and bright-
ness, and also reset the subwoofer to factory settings.
Subwoofer Name
Customize the name of your subwoofer for easy preset switching. (Exclusive SVS App
Feature)
Subwoofer Standby
Choose whether to have your subwoofer in Auto, On (Default), or Trigger mode.
Subwoofer Display
Make adjustments for:
Content shown on the subwoofer front panel interface: Volume (default), Logo, O
Number of seconds before the front panel interface times out
Brightness of display
Reset
Resets SB-3 Subwoofer back to original Factory Settings.
About this App
Provides version number and other information about the SVS App and also allows you
to turn performance monitoring on/o .
owners manual
| page 17

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
ADVANCED CONTROLS FEATURE TABLE
FEATURE OPTIONS & RANGES
FEATURE RANGE / OPTION
Volume
Low Pass Filter
Phase
Polarity
Parametric EQ
Room Gain Comp
-60dB 0dB (1dB/step)
LP Frequency:
30Hz 200Hz (1Hz/step)
LP Slope:
6dB, 12dB, 18dB, 24dB
0° 180° (1degree/step)
Positive (+) / Neg tive (-)
PEQ Frequency:
20, 22, 25, 28, 30 200Hz (1Hz/step)
PEQ Boost:
-12.0 6.0dB (0.1dB/step)
PEQ Q Factor:
0.2 10.0 (0.1/step)
RGC Frequency:
25Hz, 31Hz, 40Hz
RGC Slope:
6dB, 12dB
page 18 |
owners manual

SB-3000
SUBWOOFER
IR REMOTE AND FRONT CONTROL FLOW CHART
VOLUME V -20dB
LP OFF
LP ON
0°
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
PEQ1 PEQ
X
OFF
PEQ
X
ON
FREQ
BOOST
Q FACTOR
PNF 50Hz
PNB 0.0dB
PNQ 1.0
PEQ2
RGC OFF RGC FREQ
RGC SLOP
RGC 25Hz
SL 12dBRGC ON
MOVIE
MUSIC
CUSTOM
DEFAULT
DISPLAY
TIMEOUT
STANDBY
RESET
VOLUME
LOGO
OFF
AUTO
ON
TRIGGER
YES NO DONE
10 SEC
MOVIE SAVED
MUSIC
CUSTOM
PEQ3
LP FREQ
LP SLOPE
LPF 80Hz
LPS 12dB
LP FILT
PHASE
POLARITY
PARA EQ
RGC
PRESET
SAVE TO
SETTING
owners manual
| page 19
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