SVS Ultra Evolution Tower

EXPENSIVE, YES. BUT YOU KNOW YOU WANT THEM

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SVS Ultra Evolution Tower

■ Floorstanding speakers

■ £3599

The engineers at SVS have clearly aimed for the stars with its high-end Ultra Evolution range, and in the Tower produced something that, on paper, could impress at even double a price tag that also belies their sophisticated look.

Each of these speakers packs seven drive units into its slim frame: a 25mm dome tweeter, a pair of 11cm midrange drivers and no fewer than four 13cm woofers. These are arranged in what SVS calls an 'acoustically centred architecture', where the drivers are positioned symmetrically around the tweeter to make it sound as though the treble, midrange and bass are coming from the same place. The promise is of greater sonic coherence and a better-integrated presentation.

Metal-dome tweeters are hardly unusual, but things get more interesting when we learn the one in the Ultra Evolution range has a 'hyper-rigid diamond carbon coating'. The resultant diaphragm should combine lightness, rigidity and a degree of self-damping, given the mix of materials. The only other speakers we have tested to boast diamond in their tweeter diaphragms are from B&W's 800 series. That range has a starting price of more than double this SVS, which reinforces the Tower's excellent on-paper value credentials.

"They exude confidence, generating a scale of sound that is considerably bigger than even their sizeable cabinets suggest"

The array of midrange and bass drivers all use cones made of composite glass-fibre for its combination of light weight and high rigidity. All boast precision-cast chassis to ensure the precise alignment of the motor system and good heat dissipation, while vented voice-coils help with heat management and aid high-level dynamics.