In this review, we will be comparing Defiance X12 and PB-2000 Pro, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm 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 Paradigm Defiance X12 and SVS PB-2000 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.Paradigm Defiance X12and SVS PB-2000 Pro have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Defiance X12 has a frequency range of 20-230 Hz whereas PB-2000 Pro has a frequency range of 16-290 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the PB-2000 Pro can go slightly deeper then the Defiance X12'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
Both Paradigm Defiance X12 and SVS PB-2000 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 Paradigm Defiance X12's and SVS PB-2000 Pro's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance X12 has external dimensions of 494.0 x 459.0 x 529.0mm (19-7/16inch x 18-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch) whereas SVS PB-2000 Pro has external dimensions of 534.0 x 442.0 x 609.0mm (21 x 17-3/8 x 23-15/16inch).
Paradigm Defiance X12 is 40mm shorter and 80mm less deeper than SVS PB-2000 Pro but it is also 17mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Defiance X12 and SVS PB-2000 Pro in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Defiance X12 and SVS PB-2000 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 Paradigm Defiance X12 is approximately 2428.1cm2 / 376.4inch2 and base area of the SVS PB-2000 Pro is approximately 2691.8cm2 / 417.2inch2. The Defiance X12 requires 10% less surface area than the PB-2000 Pro 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 Paradigm Defiance X12 weighs 28.18kg / 62lbs and the SVS PB-2000 Pro weighs 29.45kg / 64.8lbs. This makes the PB-2000 Pro 5% heavier than the Defiance X12.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance X12 and PB-2000 Pro's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm Defiance X12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Defiance X12:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feetAC power cord
- ARC microphone
- 12
What's in the Box of SVS PB-2000 Pro?
Here are the items that come with the PB-2000 Pro:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Instructions
- SVS brochure
 Height |
494mm
vs
534mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2428cm2
vs
2691cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
290 Hz
vs
230 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1499USD
|
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.
SVS PB-2000 Pro needs about 11% more floor area. SVS PB-2000 Pro stands 80mm further into the room. SVS PB-2000 Pro is 40mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance X12 |
SVS PB-2000 Pro |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
650 watts |
550 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-230 Hz |
16-290 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
650-watt RMS |
550-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
1500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
494.0mm (19.4") |
534.0mm (21") |
| Width |
459.0mm (18.1") |
442.0mm (17.4") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
609.0mm (24") |
| Weight |
28.18kg (62lbs) |
29.45kg (64.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 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 | B | SVS PB-2000 Pro goes deeper - 16Hz against 20Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (650W vs 550W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (app control). |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Paradigm Defiance X12 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. |
| Warranty | B | SVS PB-2000 Pro carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | SVS PB-2000 Pro costs less - $1,100 against $1,499, about 27% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance X12 B SVS PB-2000 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-2000 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, Paradigm Defiance X12 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.