In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT10 and SB-1000 Pro, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio 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 Polk Monitor XT10 and SVS SB-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 Polk Monitor XT10and SVS SB-1000 Pro have a single woofer setup however the Polk Monitor XT10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the SVS SB-1000 Pro features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT10 has a frequency range of 24-160 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 slightly deeper then the Monitor XT10's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 Polk Monitor XT10 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
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 Polk Monitor XT10's and SVS SB-1000 Pro's external dimensions. Polk Monitor XT10 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 302.0 x 422.0mm (15-11/16 x 11-7/8 x 16-5/8inch) 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 56mm shorter and 20mm less deeper than Polk Monitor XT10 but it is also 29mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints. Polk Monitor XT10 is 20mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Polk Monitor XT10 is 56mm 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 Polk Monitor XT10 is approximately 1274.4cm2 / 197.5inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-1000 Pro is approximately 1330.6cm2 / 206.2inch2. The Monitor XT10 requires 4% less surface area than the SB-1000 Pro which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.