Audiophiles know the truth – the moment you delve into this hobby, you contract a serious illness called ‘upgraditis.’ There’s no known cure, but I might have found the most effective vaccine: the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle speakers. These speakers are so impressive, so full of sonic brilliance, that they might just be the antidote to your constant desire for upgrades.
Let’s be clear, these speakers are the pinnacle of SVS’s speaker lineup. Their name isn’t just a fancy marketing term – it’s a statement of fact. I’ve got a bit of history with this company, having worked at Aperion Audio, a pioneer in the internet-direct speaker market. Back then, selling audio gear online was considered crazy, but SVS, initially focused on subwoofers, quickly became a force to be reckoned with. They dominated the boutique subwoofer market and eventually expanded into speakers, making my life as an Aperion employee more complicated as I had to convince customers why our speakers were the better choice. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of SVS’s speaker sound – the treble was harsh and forward. But that was then, and this is now. After leaving Aperion and starting my journey as an audio reviewer for Digital Trends, I had the opportunity to experience the SVS Ultra and Prime series speakers, and I was blown away. While the treble still had a bit of crispness, these speakers excelled in so many ways, and the sheer value was undeniable. I recommended them because I knew many people would love them, even if they were a bit industrial or utilitarian in their look. It’s a fact; people use their eyes as much as their ears when choosing speakers, and rarely can the sound completely overcome the visual appeal, especially when placing speakers in living spaces.
This brings us to the SVS Evolution series and, specifically, the top-of-the-line Pinnacle model. These speakers are a joy for both the eyes and the ears. Their appearance is not just aesthetically pleasing; it’s part of the speakers’ functionality. SVS has perfected their sound tuning with these speakers, making them among the best-sounding you can purchase, even compared to those with twice or three times the price tag. If I could only own one pair of speakers for the rest of my life, these would be it.
Standing over 4 feet tall, the Ultra Evolution Pinnacle speakers are a commanding presence. With a depth of over 18 inches and a weight of 96.7 pounds each, these are no lightweight performers. SVS’s packaging is top-notch, providing exceptional protection and presentation. The meticulously constructed cabinets, primarily made of 3/4-inch thick MDF or HDF, feature an extra-thick front baffle to minimize resonance. Internal bracing and damping material further contribute to a remarkably inert cabinet that feels solid and substantial.
The distinctive shape of the cabinet isn’t just for looks (though it does give off a certain Focal Kanta vibe); it’s designed for ‘time alignment.’ This ensures that all frequencies arrive at the ear simultaneously and in the correct phase, optimizing the sound in three-way speaker designs. The Pinnacle features a woofer/mid/tweet/mid/woofer arrangement, creating an MTM speaker configuration flanked by woofers at the bottom.
The 1-inch diamond vapor-coated dome tweeter is built for strength without added weight. The lattice-style grille not only protects the tweeter but also minimizes diffraction and standing waves for a pure high-frequency response. Flanking the tweeter are two 5.25-inch midrange drivers, housed within their own enclosure, isolated from the two front-facing 8-inch woofers and the rear-firing 8-inch woofers.
Multiple woofers amplify bass response, but having them opposed allows for a more even bass distribution in the room, reducing dead zones. The opposing woofers also cancel out bass waves inside the cabinet, minimizing sound coloration. Two ports, one at the top and one at the bottom, accommodate each set of woofers within their respective enclosures. All of these features contribute to a premium speaker experience.
But there’s more. The crossover design sees the tweeter extending down to 1800 Hz, allowing the midrange drivers to operate with greater freedom. This results in a more linear response between the low treble and upper midrange, creating a more cohesive and natural sound. The raw drivers themselves look robust and overbuilt, designed for peak performance.
SVS specifies a 6-ohm nominal impedance for these speakers, but they behave like 4-ohm speakers. This is significant because lower impedance requires more stable power. You don’t need a ton of wattage to drive these speakers, but to unlock their full dynamic range and clarity, you’ll need a capable amplifier. A 4-ohm stable amp is crucial. While some high-end A/V receivers can handle the task, these speakers truly shine with high-powered two-channel integrated amps or independent amplifiers.
When it comes to positioning, these speakers need space to breathe. The closer you place the back of the Pinnacle to the wall, with its two 8-inch woofers and flared ports, the more likely you are to compromise their bass performance. I found the optimal positioning to be about 3 feet away from the wall. However, the speakers have excellent dispersion, so precise positioning isn’t essential. The depth and breadth of the soundstage are truly impressive, allowing for incredibly precise instrument placement depending on the music’s mix. The phantom center channel is remarkably convincing – you’d swear there’s a center channel speaker in your TV.
I’m utterly captivated by the balance of warmth, sweetness, and detail these speakers deliver in the treble region. Overall, the Pinnacles are among the most satisfying speakers I’ve ever listened to, long-term. They’re warm but not veiled, sweet but never strident, and detailed but not forward. These speakers don’t shout at you with their resolution; they effortlessly reproduce truthful sound, full of life. You can listen to them for hours on end without fatigue, and yet they offer so much detail to delight your ears. The attack, decay, and ring of cymbals and hi-hats are honest and organic. Breathy vocals envelop you like a warm blanket.
I’m particularly critical of speakers when it comes to how they handle brass instruments and their complex overtones. As a trumpet player, I listen closely for zing, zeal, grit, richness, and the harmonic dissonance and consonance present in horn sections. The Pinnacle excels in this area, reproducing recordings with stunning accuracy, particularly with brass sections that sound absolutely phenomenal.
Vocal reproductions – such as those by Fleetwood Mac, Michael McDonald, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Elton John – are some of the best I’ve heard from a speaker using dynamic drivers. While I still have a fondness for planar magnetic speakers like Magnepans for vocals, the Pinnacle comes remarkably close to that open and airy sound, balanced with richness and tonal authenticity. The Dahlquist DQ-20 gave me similar goosebumps.
On the more aggressive end of the spectrum, the dynamics and lack of distortion on albums like Toto IV, some Snarky Puppy tracks, and classic Led Zeppelin records are a marvel to behold. I love when a speaker can handle delicate jazz and aggressive rock equally well. The best speakers are genre-agnostic, and that’s exactly how the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacles perform. They can handle virtually anything. Part of this versatility comes from their incredible bass response – deep, powerful, and precisely controlled. No subwoofer is necessary.
You’ll experience the best of these speakers when seated directly in front of them. While they aren’t so directional that they sound completely different when you stand up and move around, to truly appreciate the intricate details, sitting is recommended. These speakers are substantial and require ample space. They also need a powerful amp. Don’t try to run these with a budget amp; give the Pinnacle a top-tier amp, and you’ll be rewarded with a sonic experience that will blow you away.
It’s important to note that the Ultra Evolution Pinnacle faces stiff competition from speakers like the Focal Aria Evo X (Number 3), the Martin Logan XT F200, and the Perlisten R5T – all excellent full-range tower speakers in the same price range. But for me, the Ultra Evolution Pinnacles stand out. They’ve become my reference speakers until or unless something else can dethrone them.
Perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle speakers is that I don’t want to be without them. With their sound and looks, my ears and eyes are content. The grass isn’t greener anywhere else. Maybe there’s no cure for upgraditis, but the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacles are the closest thing to one that I know.
