In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv XS12e and SB-1000 Pro, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Emotiva 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e and SVS SB-1000 Pro first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e and SVS SB-1000 Pro 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.Emotiva Airmotiv XS12eand SVS SB-1000 Pro have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv XS12e has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz whereas SB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 20-270 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SB-1000 Pro can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Airmotiv XS12e'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
Cabinet Type
The Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the SVS SB-1000 Pro 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e's and SVS SB-1000 Pro's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e has external dimensions of 400.0 x 400.0 x 400.0mm ( 15-3/4 x 15-3/4 x 15-3/4inch) whereas SVS SB-1000 Pro has external dimensions of 343.0 x 331.0 x 402.0mm ( 13-1/2inch x 13inch x 15-13/16inch ) .
SVS SB-1000 Pro is 69mm narrower and 57mm shorter than Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e but it is also 2mm deeper.
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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e is approximately 1600.0cm2 / 248.0inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-1000 Pro is approximately 1330.6cm2 / 206.2inch2. The Airmotiv XS12e requires 20% more surface area than the SB-1000 Pro 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e weighs 19.05kg / 41.9lbs and the SVS SB-1000 Pro weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the Airmotiv XS12e 61% heavier than the SB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv XS12e and SB-1000 Pro's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
270k Hz
vs
200k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
343mm
vs
400mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1330cm2
vs
1600cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e |
SVS SB-1000 Pro |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
325 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
20-270 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
325-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
820-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Fiber-composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
400.0mm (15.7") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
400.0mm (15.7") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
400.0mm (15.7") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
| Weight |
19.05kg (41.9lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black,White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |