In this review, we will be comparing Q SUB120 and SB-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 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.Q Acoustics Q SUB120and SVS SB-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 SB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 20-270 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SB-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 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120's and SVS SB-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 SB-1000 Pro has external dimensions of 343.0 x 331.0 x 402.0mm (13-1/2inch x 13inch x 15-13/16inch).
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 69mm wider, 57mm taller and 30mm deeper than SVS SB-1000 Pro.
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.
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 needs about 30% more floor or shelf area. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 30mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 57mm 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 SB-1000 Pro is approximately 1330.6cm2 / 206.2inch2. The Q SUB120 requires 30% more surface area than the SB-1000 Pro which gives it a small disadvantage 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 SB-1000 Pro weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the Q SUB120 90% heavier than the SB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how Q SUB120 and SB-1000 Pro's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
270 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
343mm
vs
400mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1330cm2
vs
1728cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
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.
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 needs about 30% more floor area. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 stands 30mm further into the room. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 57mm taller.
| General |
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 |
SVS SB-1000 Pro |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
325 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-250 Hz |
20-270 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") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
400.0mm (15.7") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
432.0mm (17") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
| Weight |
22.50kg (49.5lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black,White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 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 SB-1000 Pro goes deeper - 20Hz 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 | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | SVS SB-1000 Pro is about 34% 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 SB-1000 Pro costs less - $600 against $799, about 25% less. |
A Q Acoustics Q SUB120 B SVS SB-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 SB-1000 Pro has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - SVS SB-1000 Pro 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.