In this review, we will be comparing 3000 Micro R Evolution and A120P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and JBL. 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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution and JBL Stage A120P 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.SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution and JBL Stage A120P have a totally different setup: the SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the A120P features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
3000 Micro R Evolution has a frequency range of 20-230 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the 3000 Micro R Evolution can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120P's min frequency of 32Hz.
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
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution's and JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution has external dimensions of 277.8 x 301.0 x 313.0mm () whereas JBL Stage A120P has external dimensions of 415.0 x 393.0 x 475.0mm (16-5/16 x 15-7/16 x 18-11/16inch).
JBL Stage A120P is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 92mm wider, 137.2mm taller and 162mm deeper than SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution.
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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is approximately 942.1cm2 / 146.0inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The 3000 Micro R Evolution requires 50% less surface area than the A120P 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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution weighs 10.23kg / 22.5lbs and the JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the A120P 83% heavier than the 3000 Micro R Evolution.
Here is a comparison of how 3000 Micro R Evolution and A120P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
What's in the Box of SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3000 Micro R Evolution:
- Powered subwoofer
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 6' AC power cord
- Setup/Registration Guide
- Support Info
- SVS brochure
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A120P?
Here are the items that come with the A120P:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
- Important Safety Instructions
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
277mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
942cm2
vs
1866cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
999USD
|
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.
JBL Stage A120P needs about 98% more floor area. JBL Stage A120P stands 162mm further into the room. JBL Stage A120P is 137mm taller.
| General |
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
SVS |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
20-230 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
4000-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
277.8mm (10.9") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
301.0mm (11.9") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
313.0mm (12.3") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
10.23kg (22.5lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
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 | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution goes deeper - 20Hz against 32Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 250W RMS, about 6.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (2 x 9" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; JBL Stage A120P 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. |
| Driver placement | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution fires side-firing and JBL Stage A120P fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is about 66% 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 | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution carries 5 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | JBL Stage A120P costs less - $300 against $999, about 70% less. |
A SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution B JBL Stage A120P
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 3000 Micro R Evolution measures better, JBL Stage A120P costs about 70% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, JBL Stage A120P will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $300 each, two JBL Stage A120P cost about $600 against $999 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.