Sigberg Audio’s SBS Generation 2 is built around a practical but demanding idea: reduce the physical presence of a serious loudspeaker system without abandoning deep-bass capability, substantial output or room-integration tools. Rather than treating the speaker as a conventional passive monitor, the Norwegian manufacturer combines its drivers, amplification and crossover processing within a coordinated active platform. The result is a compact four-way, closed-box design intended for listeners who want the scale and flexibility of a larger system but would prefer not to accommodate traditional floorstanding enclosures. Its appeal also extends beyond cabinet size. Multiple analog and digital inputs, a manual nine-band parametric equalizer, factory presets and planned compatibility with one or more subwoofers make the SBS Generation 2 a configurable system rather than simply a small pair of powered speakers.
A four-way active architecture in a compact cabinet
The central design choice is the use of a four-way active architecture. Active operation allows Sigberg Audio to develop the amplification, crossover behavior and driver configuration as a single system. Owners do not need to select an external power amplifier or match it electrically to the loudspeaker, removing one potentially complicated stage from system planning.
Amplification is supplied by Hypex nCore Class D technology, while an active crossover manages the division of frequencies among the drivers. This integrated approach gives the manufacturer direct control over how the amplifier channels and drive units work together. It is especially relevant in a compact enclosure, where achieving wide bandwidth and substantial output places considerable demands on driver behavior and system tuning.
The cabinet uses a closed-box design rather than a conventional reflex port. Sigberg Audio specifies bass extension to 26 Hz and a maximum output of 114 dB at one meter. Those are manufacturer figures rather than Stereoindex measurements, but they indicate the intended operating range: this is designed as a high-output, wide-bandwidth loudspeaker despite its relatively space-efficient format. The absence of a port may also simplify placement for owners who prefer not to manage rear-port clearance, although room boundaries will still influence bass response.
A redesigned mid-bass driver
One of the most identifiable changes from the earlier SBS concept is a newly developed mid-bass driver. Its cone carries a laser-etched Fibonacci pattern and is paired with an aluminum phase plug. These elements are intended to reduce cone resonances and improve behavior through the midrange, an area where driver control is particularly important to voices and many acoustic instruments.
The pattern is therefore more than a decorative signature, although it gives the exposed driver a distinctive visual identity. Sigberg Audio has also revised the crossover networks to improve integration among the drivers. In a four-way system, that integration is significant because several drive units must hand over different parts of the frequency range without drawing attention to the transitions.
Development of the SBS Generation 2 incorporates lessons from the company’s larger MANTA platform. That connection helps explain why the new model is not merely a cosmetic update: the driver, crossover and enclosure presentation have all been reconsidered while preserving the original compact active concept.
Connectivity for analog and digital systems
The input selection makes the SBS Generation 2 adaptable to several kinds of audio system. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connections cover analog sources, preamplifiers and compatible professional equipment. Optical, coaxial and AES digital inputs provide alternatives for digital transports and source components.
Balanced XLR and AES connectivity will be particularly useful in installations with longer cable runs or equipment built around professional connection standards. RCA and optical inputs, meanwhile, make the speaker easier to incorporate with conventional domestic components. The range of connections means that prospective owners are not forced into a single source ecosystem.
Network streaming, app control and HDMI are not among the documented connections, so buyers wanting those functions should plan to provide them through an external streamer, digital source or control component. That separation may appeal to listeners who prefer to choose and upgrade their source independently, but it also means the SBS Generation 2 should not be confused with a self-contained wireless lifestyle speaker.
Room adjustment is part of the design
Compact speakers can be easier to accommodate physically, but their performance remains dependent on room dimensions, listening distance and proximity to walls. Sigberg Audio addresses this with a manual nine-band parametric equalizer and factory presets.
A parametric equalizer provides more focused adjustment than broad bass and treble controls. Its nine bands can be used to address specific frequency regions, which may help when placement restrictions produce prominent room-related peaks. Factory presets offer a more direct starting point for users who do not want to construct an equalization profile from scratch.
Manual EQ also leaves room for more advanced setup methods. An owner working with measurement software or a professional installer can use the available filters as part of a considered room-integration process. The inclusion of both presets and manual control gives the speaker relevance to users with different levels of technical involvement, although achieving the most precise results may require measurement and setup knowledge.
Designed to expand with subwoofers
Modularity is one of the SBS Generation 2’s most useful characteristics. The speaker is designed to work with one or more subwoofers, including Sigberg Audio’s Inkognito and 10D models. This gives owners the option to begin with a relatively compact installation and develop it into a larger full-range system.
Subwoofer support is not presented as an improvised addition. Sigberg Audio has designed the SBS platform around straightforward integration with its compatible bass systems. For rooms where a single bass source produces uneven coverage, the option to use multiple subwoofers can also provide greater placement flexibility. The exact configuration will still depend on the room, available space and setup goals.
This modular structure separates visual scale from system capability. Instead of obtaining additional low-frequency capacity through a larger pair of main cabinets, an owner can position compact main speakers where they work best for imaging and place the subwoofer or subwoofers according to room behavior. The Inkognito option is particularly relevant to installations where discreet placement is a priority, while the 10D provides another company-supported route to expanding the system.
Cleaner industrial design and two finishes
The updated industrial design follows the understated character of Sigberg Audio’s larger models. The cabinet has cleaner lines and tighter proportions, supporting the product’s purpose as a serious system that does not visually dominate a room.
Two satin finishes are documented. Shady White is paired with a contrasting gray grille, while Jet Black offers a darker and more discreet alternative. The grille has also been redesigned so that the company logo remains visible when it is fitted. That is a small detail, but it shows attention to how the speaker will look in normal use rather than only with its drivers exposed.
Because no cabinet dimensions are provided in the available product information, prospective owners should confirm the exact size, support requirements and placement clearances when planning an installation. The compact positioning is central to the SBS concept, but it remains a high-output four-way active loudspeaker rather than a desktop-oriented product.
Who the SBS Generation 2 is for
The SBS Generation 2 is most suitable for listeners who want an active, wide-bandwidth system but do not want conventional floorstanding cabinets. It should also interest buyers who value balanced connections, direct digital inputs and meaningful room-adjustment facilities. Its modular subwoofer strategy makes particular sense for dedicated listening rooms, multipurpose living spaces and installations where bass sources need to be positioned independently of the main speakers.
It may also suit technically engaged owners who are comfortable using parametric EQ or working with an installer. Conversely, someone seeking a simple wireless speaker with integrated streaming services may require additional source hardware. Buyers who already own a preferred power amplifier should also consider that external amplification is unnecessary here; the SBS Generation 2 is intended to replace the traditional amplifier-and-passive-speaker arrangement.
First deliveries are scheduled for March 2026. That timing makes the product more relevant to buyers planning a future system than to anyone requiring immediate installation. As with any active design, prospective owners should also consider source selection, volume control, cable routing and access to power at each speaker position before committing to the layout.
Conclusion
The Sigberg Audio SBS Generation 2 stands out through the coordination of a compact four-way closed-box design, Hypex nCore amplification, active crossovers and flexible room-adjustment tools. Its analog and digital inputs allow it to work with a broad range of source components, while compatibility with one or more Sigberg Audio subwoofers creates a clear path from a compact installation to a more extensive full-range system. The redesigned mid-bass driver, revised crossover networks and restrained satin finishes further distinguish this generation. It is best suited to listeners who want the output ambitions and configurability of a larger hi-fi system in a less imposing format, and who are prepared to plan source control, placement and room integration with appropriate care.
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