In this review, we will be comparing Q SUB120 and PB-1000 Pro, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Q Acoustics 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120 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.Q Acoustics Q SUB120and SVS PB-1000 Pro have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Q SUB120 has a frequency range of 28-250 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 significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q SUB120's min frequency of 28Hz.
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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120 has a Infinite Baffle type cabinet. On the other hand the SVS PB-1000 Pro 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120's and SVS PB-1000 Pro's external dimensions. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 has external dimensions of 400.0 x 400.0 x 432.0mm (15-3/4 x 15-3/4 x 17inch) 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).
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 79mm shorter and 77mm less deeper than SVS PB-1000 Pro but it is also 20mm 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.
SVS PB-1000 Pro needs about 12% more floor or shelf area. SVS PB-1000 Pro is 77mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. SVS PB-1000 Pro is 79mm 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is approximately 1728.0cm2 / 267.8inch2 and base area of the SVS PB-1000 Pro is approximately 1934.2cm2 / 299.8inch2. The Q SUB120 requires 11% less surface area than the PB-1000 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120 weighs 22.50kg / 49.5lbs and the SVS PB-1000 Pro weighs 19.30kg / 42.5lbs. This makes the Q SUB120 17% heavier than the PB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how Q SUB120 and PB-1000 Pro's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
400mm
vs
479mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1728cm2
vs
1934cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
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-1000 Pro needs about 12% more floor area. SVS PB-1000 Pro stands 77mm further into the room. SVS PB-1000 Pro is 79mm taller.
| General |
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 |
SVS PB-1000 Pro |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
325 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-250 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 |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
Fiber-composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
400.0mm (15.7") |
479.0mm (18.9") |
| Width |
400.0mm (15.7") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Depth |
432.0mm (17") |
509.0mm (20") |
| Weight |
22.50kg (49.5lbs) |
19.30kg (42.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 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 | B | SVS PB-1000 Pro goes deeper - 17Hz against 28Hz. 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 (300W vs 325W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; SVS PB-1000 Pro 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is about 25% 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. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A Q Acoustics Q SUB120 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. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, SVS PB-1000 Pro will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.