Abdullah in Kuwait

Craving a more realistic presentation of movies and PlayStation games, Abdullah from Kuwait self-taught himself how to build a home theater surround sound system. After hitting AVS Forum, Reddit, and getting a helping hand from the SVS support team, he achieved his dream with a 7.1.4 SVS Ultra Speaker and PB16-Ultra subwoofer system.

Now, he’s no longer just watching, “It pulls me into the experience, making every sound, beat, and gunshot feel real.”

Questions And Answers:

When did you first get into high-performance audio?

My interest began about 10 years ago when I was in high school. My uncle built his own home theater, and I was captivated, especially when I got to play video games on it. I've always loved movies, cinematic single-player games, and the immersive experience they provide. The idea of having a personal home theater quickly became a goal, but getting there took time.

Around 2015-2016, I started having ideas, and by 2017-2018, I was fully into planning and saving for my system, even though it was challenging as a student. I began with a Logitech Z906 that my brother gave me, which was my first taste of surround sound.

What was the greatest challenge when setting up your surround sound system?

Setting up my home theater presented several challenges. I had many ideas but was unsure how to execute them. In Kuwait, there aren’t many companies specializing in home theaters, so finding the right one was very time-consuming. The availability of high-end brands is limited here, and I had to be very patient when making purchases.

SVS’s retailer in Kuwait, Xcite, helped, but availability was an issue. They often didn’t have up-to-date stock, and I had to special order the Ultra Series. Despite these challenges, I’m proud to have achieved the "High-end" section of my original budget plan.

What was the impact of upgrading to SVS?

Before upgrading, my setup was basic, with a Logitech Z906. It was my first experience with surround sound, and I enjoyed it, but I always imagined what a full system could be like. Once I set up the Marantz AVR with the SVS Ultra Series and Atmos speakers, it felt like entering an entirely new world. The difference between compressed and uncompressed media was immediately noticeable, and it transformed my enjoyment of movies and games.

How would you explain the sound in your home theater now?

The bass is earth-shattering, and the speakers are extremely clear and loud. The surround and Atmos effects are incredible, creating an immersive space that draws me in every time. After having a calibrator fine-tune my setup, the sound quality reached a level I didn’t think was possible.

Why is having great sound important to you?

Having an immersive audio system is crucial for me, especially now that I’ve experienced the SVS Ultra System. Whether I’m playing cinematic games or watching movies in a pitch-black room, the combination of a high-end audio system and OLED TV is a dream come true. It pulls me into the experience, making every sound, beat, and gunshot feel real.

Anything else you’d like to share with the SVS community?

One of the key reasons I chose SVS, besides their high-end equipment, was their customer service. They helped me with positioning ideas and optimizing sound both before and after my purchase. Unlike other companies, SVS continues to provide fast and reliable support, confirming the positive feedback I had read in forums.

I want to thank the SVS community, forums, and any SVS representatives who helped me with my decision to purchase and set up my system. I have no regrets about choosing the Ultra Series; they’ve brought new life to my games and movies. If anyone is considering SVS, I highly recommend them, especially with the new Evolution Series now available!

What are some of your favorite demos?

Some movies with standout sound include Blade Runner 2049, Top Gun: Maverick, 007 No Time to Die, and Ford v Ferrari. The intro to Top Gun: Maverick with the jets turning on was particularly impactful with the PB16-Ultra Sub.

For games, titles like The Last of Us Series, Ghost of Tsushima, and God of War sound incredible on the system. One of my personal favorites is Hideo Kojima’s & Kojima Productions' Death Stranding: Director’s Cut also delivers an amazing audio experience especially with its soundtrack.

For music, rock and gaming soundtracks sound great, and the Hans Zimmer Live Blu-ray was amazing. Almost anything sounds fantastic on SVS speakers.

How did you learn about SVS?

During my planning and research phase, I frequently visited forums like Reddit and AVS Forum. I kept going back and forth on what I wanted, but Sony and SVS were always on my list. The positive reviews, their design, and outstanding customer service reputation of SVS ultimately convinced me to go with their products. Their customer service was a big selling point.