The fine folks at SVS aren’t ones to rest on their laurels, always innovating and forever pushing the envelope to give their customers the best audio experience possible. That’s why it was no surprise that the company arrived at last year’s Consumer Electronics Show with a tasty new audio treat: The Prime Wireless Speaker System.
Review: SVS Prime Wireless Speaker System
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Two decades ago, SVS exploded onto the audio scene with innovative subwoofer designs that rocked the AV world – literally. Crafted by a passionate team of enthusiasts huddled in a garage, the company’s first subs delivered stunning low-end precision at price points that were hard to believe. Of course, affordable high-quality speakers are destined to be popular – which they were – and the rest is stuff of audio legends. Just glance at the company’s current audiophile-grade lineup of subwoofers, speakers, cables, and accessories, and you’ll quickly understand why SVS has grown into one of the most respected brands in the industry.
And now, Prime Wireless delivers everything modern music fans want – and more – without cutting corners and forcing owners to accept the shortcomings of typical wireless speakers. And while the convenience of multi-room and multi-zone wire-free playback is gladly welcomed, it’s the system’s detailed and richly layered immersive sound that impressed us. Whether playing Queen or Foster the People, every song exploded to life with crystal clear clarity and heart-pounding bass. And now we're thrilled to announce they're finally here and ready to ship right to your door.
Tired of middling wireless sound? SVS has you covered.
Prime Wireless captures the benefits of a Hi-Fi stereo experience by utilizing not one, but two wireless bookshelf speakers that work in tandem to create depth and nuanced imaging. Tapping the power of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with AAC and aptX connectivity, the system’s integration with DTS’s Play-Fi app opens the door to an impressive array of streaming options. You can source crystal clear audio from your preferred streaming services (e.g., TIDAL, Spotify, or Amazon Music), dial-up your favorite Pandora channel, surf the vastness of Internet radio, or play tunes stored on any of your personal devices. Also, Prime Wireless gives you access to Play-Fi’s Critical Listening Mode, which streams Hi-Res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz without any down-sampling over a Wi-Fi connection. That kind of large file transfer capability keeps every last drop of audio information intact, ensuring your hi-res tunes remain hi-res.
DTS Play-Fi also allows the Prime Wireless Speaker System to integrate with a multi-room or multi-zone music system comprised of other Play-Fi enabled gear, while giving owners complete control over playback and other functionalities. You can even connect the speakers to any Amazon Alexa-enabled device (like the Echo Dot) and control the speaker with simple voice commands.
Quality you can see and hear.
SVS left no stone unturned as it crafted true audiophile performance into its first standalone wireless speaker system. At its heart, Prime Wireless is a compact active and passive speaker design built around a 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res digital-to-analog converter capable of conducting a pristine audio experience. Each ported two-way speaker taps a dedicated 200-watt Class-D amplifier that delivers 50-watts to each driver, all managed by a high-tech DSP engine that provides crossover functionality with pure digital precision. This arrangement produces generous punch in the low-end graced by highs that ring with exacting clarity. Because the system carries a USB port for use with SVS’s SoundPath Wireless Adapter and a dedicated subwoofer output, you can easily connect any of SVS’s legendary subwoofers for a robust 2.1-channel experience — without breaking the bank. And for those situations where stereo playback isn’t desired, the Prime Wireless System can be separated and used in mono mode, too.
On the outside, the Prime Wireless Speaker System offers everything we’ve come to expect from SVS and its sterling reputation for quality, including a gorgeous Piano Gloss Black finish, design elements borrowed from its flagship Ultra Series of speakers, and a striking 1” aluminum dome tweeter and 4.5” mid-range driver. You’ll also find a set of simple controls and a front display panel that allow for quick input selection, volume and playback control, and access to one of six programmed presets.
The built-in preset feature is rather unique for a wireless speaker, allowing you to earmark six of your favorite Internet radio channels, music service playlists, Pandora channels, and more, for playback without the presence of your phone. That means you can instantly listen to music of your choice, even if your phone is out of reach or in need of a recharge. And switching between favorites is simplified and streamlined too, so the tunes never have to stop even if you’re looking for a change of pace!
Stream or connect directly - the choice is yours.
Using the Prime Wireless Speaker System’s Wi-Fi connection, you’ll unlock streaming access to 24-bit/192 kHz Hi-Res audio playback, even in situations where multi-room and multi-zone systems are in play. And with Bluetooth with AAC and aptX, leaning on Bluetooth for your streaming needs will continue to deliver amazing clarity.
SVS has also included a wide variety of wired connection options, ranging from digital optical and line-level inputs for use with TVs, gaming systems, CD players, turntables, and the like, and Ethernet for a hard-wired Internet connection. And that USB port we mentioned earlier — if you’re not connecting an alternative device, you can use it as a USB charging port for your smartphone.
Meet another Prime Wireless family member: SoundBase.
The Prime Wireless Speaker System is one of two new wireless offerings from SVS, the other being a powerful compact Hi-Res audio streaming component that doubles as an amplifier. The Prime Wireless SoundBase can directly power most any pair of stereo speakers, instantly turning them into a wireless audio performers. And much like the Prime Wireless Speaker System, SoundBase is integrated with the DTS Play-Fi app allowing your passive speakers to become part of a whole-home wireless audio show.
So, bottom line?
Let’s face it: Wireless audio is one of the AV industry’s greatest modern innovations, but its execution often misses the mark. Sure, most wireless speakers deliver the satisfaction of convenience, but many fall short when it comes to accurately reproducing reference quality stereo sound. And that's exactly the void SVS fills with their Prime Wireless bookshelf speakers. Get yours today right here, or at either of our showrooms in Ardmore and Montgomeryville. This is one system that’s definitely worth checking out.
SVS Prime Wireless Speaker System
Reg. Price: $599.99
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