In this review, we will be comparing PB-1000 Pro and KUBE 12b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and KEF. 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 PB-1000 Pro and KEF KUBE 12b 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 PB-1000 Proand KEF KUBE 12b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
PB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 17-260 Hz whereas KUBE 12b has a frequency range of 22-140 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 KUBE 12b's min frequency of 22Hz.
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 SVS PB-1000 Pro has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the KEF KUBE 12b 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 SVS PB-1000 Pro's and KEF KUBE 12b's external dimensions. 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) whereas KEF KUBE 12b has external dimensions of 410.0 x 396.0 x 442.0mm (16-1/8 x 15-9/16 x 17-3/8inch).
KEF KUBE 12b is 69mm shorter and 67mm less deeper than SVS PB-1000 Pro but it is also 16mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-1000 Pro and KEF KUBE 12b in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-1000 Pro and KEF KUBE 12b Size and External Dimensions
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 PB-1000 Pro is approximately 1934.2cm2 / 299.8inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 12b is approximately 1750.3cm2 / 271.3inch2. The PB-1000 Pro requires 11% more surface area than the KUBE 12b 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 SVS PB-1000 Pro weighs 19.30kg / 42.5lbs and the KEF KUBE 12b weighs 20.68kg / 45.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 12b 7% heavier than the PB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how PB-1000 Pro and KUBE 12b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of SVS PB-1000 Pro?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PB-1000 Pro:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Brochure
- SVS Support Information
What's in the Box of KEF KUBE 12b?
Here are the items that come with the KUBE 12b:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
410mm
vs
479mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1750cm2
vs
1934cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 11% more floor area. SVS PB-1000 Pro stands 67mm further into the room. SVS PB-1000 Pro is 69mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-1000 Pro |
KEF KUBE 12b |
| Brand |
SVS |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
325 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-260 Hz |
22-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
325-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
820-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber-composite |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
479.0mm (18.9") |
410.0mm (16.1") |
| Width |
380.0mm (15") |
396.0mm (15.6") |
| Depth |
509.0mm (20") |
442.0mm (17.4") |
| Weight |
19.30kg (42.5lbs) |
20.68kg (45.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed 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 PB-1000 Pro goes deeper - 17Hz against 22Hz. 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 (325W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | 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; KEF KUBE 12b is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (room correction and onboard DSP). |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | SVS PB-1000 Pro takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KUBE 12b is about 23% 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 PB-1000 Pro carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | SVS PB-1000 Pro costs less - $799 against $900, about 11% less. |
A SVS PB-1000 Pro B KEF KUBE 12b
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 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take KEF KUBE 12b if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. 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, KEF KUBE 12b is usually the easier one to make sound right. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, SVS PB-1000 Pro is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.