In this review, we will be comparing RP-1000SW and PB-1000 Pro, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch 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 Klipsch RP-1000SW and SVS PB-1000 Pro 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.Both Klipsch RP-1000SWand SVS PB-1000 Pro have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1000SW's woofer is 10-inch whereas the SVS PB-1000 Pro features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1000SW has a frequency range of 19-131 Hz whereas PB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 17-260 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the PB-1000 Pro can go slightly deeper then the RP-1000SW's min frequency of 19Hz.
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
Both Klipsch RP-1000SW and SVS PB-1000 Pro have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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 Klipsch RP-1000SW's and SVS PB-1000 Pro's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-1000SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 381.0 x 635.0mm (16-5/8inch x 15inch x 25inch) whereas SVS PB-1000 Pro has external dimensions of 479.0 x 380.0 x 509.0mm (18-13/16inch x 15inch x 20-15/16inch).
SVS PB-1000 Pro is 1mm narrower and 126mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-1000SW but it is also 56mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1000SW and SVS PB-1000 Pro in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1000SW and SVS PB-1000 Pro 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 Klipsch RP-1000SW is approximately 2419.4cm2 / 375.0inch2 and base area of the SVS PB-1000 Pro is approximately 1934.2cm2 / 299.8inch2. The RP-1000SW requires 25% more surface area than the PB-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 Klipsch RP-1000SW weighs 25.77kg / 56.7lbs and the SVS PB-1000 Pro weighs 19.30kg / 42.5lbs. This makes the RP-1000SW 34% heavier than the PB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1000SW and PB-1000 Pro's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
423mm
vs
479mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
19 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
131 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
1934cm2
vs
2419cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
850USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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.
Klipsch RP-1000SW needs about 25% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1000SW stands 126mm further into the room. SVS PB-1000 Pro is 56mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1000SW |
SVS PB-1000 Pro |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
325 watts |
| Frequency Response |
19-131 Hz |
17-260 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
325-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
600-watt RMS |
820-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Fiber-composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
423.0mm (16.7") |
479.0mm (18.9") |
| Width |
381.0mm (15") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Depth |
635.0mm (25") |
509.0mm (20") |
| Weight |
25.77kg (56.7lbs) |
19.30kg (42.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (19Hz vs 17Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 325W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | SVS PB-1000 Pro moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | SVS PB-1000 Pro 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. |
| Price | B | SVS PB-1000 Pro costs less - $799 against $850, about 6% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1000SW B SVS PB-1000 Pro
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 PB-1000 Pro has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, SVS PB-1000 Pro 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.