There aren't many audio companies from my hometown, Youngstown, Ohio. When I began shopping for my first subwoofer six or seven years ago, I didn't even know that SVS was located just a short drive from my childhood home.

At the time, I was in living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. But the possibility of buying a subwoofer in-person when I was home for a visit helped me decide to go with an SVS SB-1000. Even though in-person sales aren't really part of SVS's business, and even though I'd shown up unannounced, SVS was happy to show me around and sell me a subwoofer. Not someone who cares much about cosmetics, I'd come seeking out a "B-stock" SB-1000. SVS didn't happen to have one on-hand, but since I'd taken the time to visit them in-person, they sold me an "A-stock" SB-1000 at the "B-stock" price.

I enjoyed my SB-1000. But as I replaced my bookshelf speakers with better models, I kept an eye out for a subwoofer upgrade, too. I tried subwoofers from several other popular companies, but I didn't find them to be a clear upgrade over the SB-1000. The logical move became trying one of SVS's larger, more tech-equipped models. Four years ago, I did just that, picking up a closeout "B-stock" SB13-Ultra.

The SB13-Ultra was a clear upgrade from my SB-1000. Indeed, the only downside of the SB13-Ultra was how heavy it was. (Pro tip: If you have to carry your subwoofer up a flight of stairs, lighter is better.) Sonically and functionally, though, the SB13-Ultra has served me well for the past four years.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. When I turned my SB13-Ultra on, it was clear that something was very wrong. Based on the noise it was making, I assumed it was the amplifier. SVS touts its comprehensive five-year warranty. My subwoofer was just a few months under five years old. As a cynic, I worried that there might be some loophole for closeout "B-stock" subwoofers like mine. Also, the idea of any repair that would involve me carrying my SB13-Ultra downstairs for shipping was even more unappealing.

With some trepidation, I sent an email to SVS explain the issue. I've never reviewed any SVS equipment, and at no time did I mention that I write for Audiophile Style. To SVS, I was just like any other customer.

Within 12 hours, I received a courteous reply from SVS's Ryan Farmer asking me a take a video of the sound the subwoofer was making to help him diagnose the problem. When I got home from work, I took the video and sent it to Ryan. This time, his reply came even faster. He confirmed it was the amplifier and assured me that I wouldn't need to send the subwoofer back to them. Instead, they were going to send me a new amplifier free of charge.

Just a few days later, I received a replacement amp along with simple installation instructions. Moreover, SVS had sent me a better amplifier than the one originally in my SB13-Ultra. This new 4000-series amp has more fine-tuned settings than my original, and all of those settings can be controlled via Bluetooth using SVS's smartphone app. (No more crawling under my desk to twiddle with levels and DSP.)

From the moment I discovered that something was wrong with SB13-Ultra to the moment I finished installing the replacement amplifier, I scant seven days had past. That's great customer service.