In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT12 and PB-2000 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 XT12 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.Polk Monitor XT12and SVS PB-2000 Pro have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 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 significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Monitor XT12'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
Both Polk Monitor XT12 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 Polk Monitor XT12's and SVS PB-2000 Pro's external dimensions. Polk Monitor XT12 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 408.0 x 485.0mm (16-7/16inch x 16-1/16inch x 19-1/16inch) 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).
SVS PB-2000 Pro is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 34mm wider, 116mm taller and 124mm deeper than Polk Monitor XT12.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk Monitor XT12 and SVS PB-2000 Pro in scale.
Comparison image of Polk Monitor XT12 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 Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2 and base area of the SVS PB-2000 Pro is approximately 2691.8cm2 / 417.2inch2. The Monitor XT12 requires 26% 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 Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs and the SVS PB-2000 Pro weighs 29.45kg / 64.8lbs. This makes the PB-2000 Pro 66% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT12 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 Polk Monitor XT12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor XT12:
- Black powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
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 |
418mm
vs
534mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1978cm2
vs
2691cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
290 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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 36% more floor area. SVS PB-2000 Pro stands 124mm further into the room. SVS PB-2000 Pro is 116mm taller.
| General |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
SVS PB-2000 Pro |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
550 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-160 Hz |
16-290 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
550-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
1500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
534.0mm (21") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
442.0mm (17.4") |
| Depth |
485.0mm (19.1") |
609.0mm (24") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
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 |
Different price classes - SVS PB-2000 Pro costs roughly 2.8x what Polk Monitor XT12 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | SVS PB-2000 Pro goes deeper - 16Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS PB-2000 Pro has the bigger amplifier - 550W against 50W RMS, about 10.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Polk Monitor XT12 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 SVS PB-2000 Pro 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 | Polk Monitor XT12 is about 42% 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 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 | A | Polk Monitor XT12 costs less - $399 against $1,100, about 64% less. |
A Polk Monitor XT12 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?
The usual trade-off: SVS PB-2000 Pro measures better, Polk Monitor XT12 costs about 64% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk Monitor XT12 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $399 each, two Polk Monitor XT12 cost about $798 against $1,100 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.