In this review, we will be comparing DS123 and SB-2000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC 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 ELAC DS123 and SVS SB-2000 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.ELAC DS123and SVS SB-2000 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
DS123 has a frequency range of 28-150 Hz whereas SB-2000 has a frequency range of 19-220 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the SB-2000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DS123's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare ELAC DS123's and SVS SB-2000's external dimensions. ELAC DS123 has external dimensions of 374.7 x 360.4 x 446.1mm () whereas SVS SB-2000 has external dimensions of 372.0 x 362.0 x 478.0mm (14-5/8 x 14-1/4 x 18-13/16inch).
ELAC DS123 is 1.6mm narrower and 31.9mm less deeper than SVS SB-2000 but it is also 2.7mm taller.
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 ELAC DS123 is approximately 1607.7cm2 / 249.2inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-2000 is approximately 1730.4cm2 / 268.2inch2. The DS123 requires 7% less surface area than the SB-2000 which gives it a small advantage 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 ELAC DS123 weighs 13.70kg / 30.1lbs and the SVS SB-2000 weighs 15.82kg / 34.8lbs. This makes the SB-2000 15% heavier than the DS123.
Here is a comparison of how DS123 and SB-2000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
1607cm2
vs
1730cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
220 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
372mm
vs
374mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Near-identical footprints. SVS SB-2000 stands 32mm further into the room.
| General |
ELAC DS123 |
SVS SB-2000 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
28-150 Hz |
19-220 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
400-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
50-160 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
374.7mm (14.8") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
360.4mm (14.2") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
446.1mm (17.6") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Weight |
13.70kg (30.1lbs) |
15.82kg (34.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
5 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | SVS SB-2000 goes deeper - 19Hz against 28Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS SB-2000 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 200W RMS, about 4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Warranty | B | SVS SB-2000 carries 5 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A ELAC DS123 B SVS SB-2000
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
SVS SB-2000 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.