In this review, we will be comparing Q SUB120 and PC-2000, 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 PC-2000 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 PC-2000 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 PC-2000 has a frequency range of 16-260 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the PC-2000 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 PC-2000 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 PC-2000'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 PC-2000 has external dimensions of 872.0 x 422.0 x 422.0mm (34-5/16 x 16-5/8 x 16-5/8inch).
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 22mm narrower and 472mm shorter than SVS PC-2000 but it is also 10mm deeper.
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. SVS PC-2000 is 472mm 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 PC-2000 is approximately 1780.8cm2 / 276.0inch2. The Q SUB120 requires 3% less surface area than the PC-2000 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 PC-2000 weighs 22.70kg / 49.9lbs. This makes the PC-2000 1% heavier than the Q SUB120.
Here is a comparison of how Q SUB120 and PC-2000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
400mm
vs
872mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1728cm2
vs
1780cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
799USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. SVS PC-2000 is 472mm taller.
| General |
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 |
SVS PC-2000 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-250 Hz |
16-260 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
600-watt RMS |
1100-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
400.0mm (15.7") |
872.0mm (34.3") |
| Width |
400.0mm (15.7") |
422.0mm (16.6") |
| Depth |
432.0mm (17") |
422.0mm (16.6") |
| Weight |
22.50kg (49.5lbs) |
22.70kg (49.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Bass Reflex |
| 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 PC-2000 goes deeper - 16Hz against 28Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS PC-2000 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 300W RMS, about 2.2dB 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 | 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 PC-2000 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 55% 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 | B | SVS PC-2000 costs less - $750 against $799, about 6% less. |
A Q Acoustics Q SUB120 B SVS PC-2000
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 PC-2000 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 PC-2000 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. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.