Loudspeaker-maker SVS, which was founded in 1998, has released the new Prime Series line, consisting of the Prime Tower, Prime Bookshelf, Prime Center, and Prime Satellite. According to the company’s October 10 press release: “The Prime Tower speaker benefits from lessons learned developing the Ultra Tower, with its own distinctive touches. It has a completely new 3.5-way crossover that ensures a full, flat and seamless frequency response from the tweeter to the midrange driver, and through the two individually tuned and isolated 6.5" woofers. The design creates deep bass extension and a cohesive sonic presentation, with no compromises for either home theater or home stereo applications.
“Designed for two-channel purists and home theater fans alike, the Prime Bookshelf speaker serves equally well as a standalone reference monitor, surround sound speaker, or front channel speaker, depending on the end user’s preference and the room’s layout. The 6.25” woofer delivers deep and articulate bass and outstanding extension, courtesy of a stiffened polypropylene cone, a refined motor with aluminum shorting ring for reduced distortion, and a vented voice coil former. The 1” aluminum dome tweeter utilizes an FEA-optimized diffuser to deliver open, ‘airy’ presentation and unveiled highs.”
One of the highlights of this series is the new Center model, mostly because it’s a three-way design at a very affordable price. According to the release: “It’s rare, if not impossible to find a true three-way center channel speaker at the Prime Series price point. Two-way center channel speakers are prone to off-axis frequency anomalies and simply can’t match the performance of other speakers in the line-up. To create an uncompromised, yet affordable center channel, SVS engineered a true three-way, four-driver design featuring a 1” aluminum dome tweeter, dedicated 3.5” midrange driver and dual 5.25” woofers.”
Finally there’s the Satellite, which the company says is versatile enough to be used as main or surround speakers, or even as a center-channel. The release states: “The Satellite speaker stands on its own, or matches perfectly with SVS subwoofers in 2.1, 5.1 and 7.1 systems, or it can serve as the front, center, and surround speakers in a very capable, very affordable multichannel home theater system featuring other members of the Prime family. The compact size and included wall bracket also make the Satellite ideal in locations where space is limited, but high performance is desired.”
The Tower is priced at $999.99/pair in Black Ash, $1199.99/pair in Piano Gloss; the Bookshelf is $499.99/pair in Black Ash, $599.99/pair in Piano Gloss; the Center is $349.99 in Black Ash, $449.99 in Piano Gloss; and the Satellite is $269.99/pair in Black Ash, $349.99/pair in Piano Gloss. All prices are in US dollars.