In this review, we will be comparing Descend DN15 and SB-3000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Definitive Technology and SVS. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Definitive DN15 and SVS SB-3000 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Definitive DN15 and SVS SB-3000 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Definitive DN15and SVS SB-3000 have a single woofer setup however the Definitive DN15's woofer is 15-inch whereas the SVS SB-3000 features a 13-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Descend DN15 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz whereas SB-3000 has a frequency range of 18-270 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the SB-3000 can go slightly deeper then the Descend DN15's min frequency of 20Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The Definitive DN15 has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or sealed designs. On the other hand the SVS SB-3000 have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Definitive DN15's and SVS SB-3000's external dimensions. Definitive DN15 has external dimensions of 634.0 x 596.0 x 640.0mm ( 24-15/16inch x 23-7/16inch x 25-3/16inch ) whereas SVS SB-3000 has external dimensions of 397.0 x 388.0 x 453.0mm ( 15-5/8 x 15-1/4 x 17-13/16inch) .
Definitive DN15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 208mm wider, 237mm taller and 187mm deeper than SVS SB-3000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Definitive DN15 and SVS SB-3000 in scale.
Comparison image of Definitive DN15 and SVS SB-3000 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Definitive DN15 is approximately 3814.4cm2 / 591.2inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-3000 is approximately 1757.6cm2 / 272.4inch2. The Descend DN15 requires 117% more surface area than the SB-3000 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Definitive DN15 weighs 52.09kg / 114.6lbs and the SVS SB-3000 weighs 24.77kg / 54.5lbs. This makes the Descend DN15 110% heavier than the SB-3000.
Here is a comparison of how Descend DN15 and SB-3000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Definitive DN15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Descend DN15:
Powered subwoofer6-feet AC power cordRemote controlCR2032 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)Owners Manual
What's in the Box of SVS SB-3000?
Here are the items that come with the SB-3000:
Powered subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cordOwners ManualQuick Start GuideOnline Registration CardSVS brochure
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
13 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
270k Hz
vs
150k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
397mm
vs
634mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1757cm2
vs
3814cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| General |
Definitive Technology Descend DN15 |
SVS SB-3000 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
800 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-150 Hz |
18-270 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
2500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
13" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
634.0mm (25") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Width |
596.0mm (23.5") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Depth |
640.0mm (25.2") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Weight |
52.09kg (114.6lbs) |
24.77kg (54.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |