In this review, we will be comparing KC92 and PB16-Ultra, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF 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 KEF KC92 and SVS PB16-Ultra 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.
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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.KEF KC92 and SVS PB16-Ultra have a totally different setup: the KEF KC92 features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the PB16-Ultra features 1 x 16-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
KC92 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz whereas PB16-Ultra has a frequency range of 13-280 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KC92 can go slightly deeper then the PB16-Ultra's min frequency of 13Hz.
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 KEF KC92 has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the SVS PB16-Ultra have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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.
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 KEF KC92's and SVS PB16-Ultra's external dimensions. KEF KC92 has external dimensions of 352.5 x 330 x 360.5 mm (13.88 x 13.00 x 14.19 in) whereas SVS PB16-Ultra has external dimensions of 635.0 x 553.0 x 788.0mm (25 x 21-3/4 x 31inch).
SVS PB16-Ultra is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 223mm wider, 283mm taller and 427mm deeper than KEF KC92.
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 KEF KC92 is approximately 1191.3cm2 / 184.7inch2 and base area of the SVS PB16-Ultra is approximately 4357.6cm2 / 675.4inch2. The KC92 requires 73% less surface area than the PB16-Ultra 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 KEF KC92 weighs 20.00kg / 44lbs and the SVS PB16-Ultra weighs 79.32kg / 174.5lbs. This makes the PB16-Ultra 297% heavier than the KC92.
Here is a comparison of how KC92 and PB16-Ultra's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF KC92?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of KC92:
- KC92 subwoofer
- Power cord
- Euroblock speaker level connector
- User manual and warranty information
What's in the Box of SVS PB16-Ultra?
Here are the items that come with the PB16-Ultra:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 5-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (3V battery installed)
- Owners Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
13 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
352mm
vs
635mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1191cm2
vs
4357cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1999USD
vs
2900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
280 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
| General |
KEF KC92 |
SVS PB16-Ultra |
| Brand |
KEF |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
1500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
11-200 Hz |
13-280 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
1500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
16" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Composite fiberglass/resin |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-140 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
352.0mm (13.9") |
635.0mm (25") |
| Width |
330.0mm (13") |
553.0mm (21.8") |
| Depth |
361.0mm (14.2") |
788.0mm (31") |
| Weight |
20.00kg (44lbs) |
79.32kg (174.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (11Hz vs 13Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS PB16-Ultra has the bigger amplifier - 1500W against 1000W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | SVS PB16-Ultra moves more air: 16" against 2 x 9" is 1.58x the cone area, not the 1.26x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | KEF KC92 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; SVS PB16-Ultra is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | KEF KC92 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only KEF KC92 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KC92 is about 85% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | B | SVS PB16-Ultra carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | KEF KC92 costs less - $1,999 against $2,900, about 31% less. |
A KEF KC92 B SVS PB16-Ultra
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?
The usual trade-off: SVS PB16-Ultra measures better, KEF KC92 costs about 31% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, SVS PB16-Ultra will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KC92 is usually the easier one to make sound right. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, KEF KC92 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.