In this review, we will be comparing 3000 Micro R Evolution and RP-1200SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and Klipsch. 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 Klipsch RP-1200SW 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 Klipsch RP-1200SW have a totally different setup: the SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the RP-1200SW features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
3000 Micro R Evolution has a frequency range of 20-230 Hz whereas RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the RP-1200SW can go slightly deeper then the 3000 Micro R Evolution's min frequency of 20Hz.
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 Klipsch RP-1200SW's external dimensions. SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution has external dimensions of 277.8 x 301.0 x 313.0mm () whereas Klipsch RP-1200SW has external dimensions of 482.0 x 432.0 x 659.0mm (18-15/16inch x 17inch x 25-15/16inch).
Klipsch RP-1200SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 131mm wider, 204.2mm taller and 346mm 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 Klipsch RP-1200SW is approximately 2846.9cm2 / 441.3inch2. The 3000 Micro R Evolution requires 67% less surface area than the RP-1200SW 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 Klipsch RP-1200SW weighs 31.18kg / 68.6lbs. This makes the RP-1200SW 205% heavier than the 3000 Micro R Evolution.
Here is a comparison of how 3000 Micro R Evolution and RP-1200SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
277mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
942cm2
vs
2846cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 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.
Klipsch RP-1200SW needs about 202% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1200SW stands 346mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1200SW is 204mm taller.
| General |
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
20-230 Hz |
16.5-138 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
4000-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
277.8mm (10.9") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Width |
301.0mm (11.9") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
313.0mm (12.3") |
659.0mm (25.9") |
| Weight |
10.23kg (22.5lbs) |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF with Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Ebony |
| Grille |
n/a |
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 | Klipsch RP-1200SW goes deeper - 17Hz against 20Hz. 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 400W RMS, about 4.8dB 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; Klipsch RP-1200SW 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch RP-1200SW 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. |
| Driver placement | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution fires side-firing and Klipsch RP-1200SW 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 81% 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 | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution costs less - $999 against $1,100, about 9% less. |
A SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution B Klipsch RP-1200SW
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch RP-1200SW 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. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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.