In this review, we will be comparing PB-1000 Pro and R-101SW, 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 PB-1000 Pro and Klipsch R-101SW 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.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both SVS PB-1000 Proand Klipsch R-101SW have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-1000 Pro's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch R-101SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 17-260 Hz whereas R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 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 R-101SW's min frequency of 30Hz.
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
Both SVS PB-1000 Pro and Klipsch R-101SW have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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 SVS PB-1000 Pro's and Klipsch R-101SW'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 Klipsch R-101SW has external dimensions of 370.0 x 358.0 x 529.0mm (14-9/16inch x 14-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 22mm narrower and 109mm shorter than SVS PB-1000 Pro but it is also 20mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-1000 Pro and Klipsch R-101SW in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-1000 Pro and Klipsch R-101SW 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 Klipsch R-101SW is approximately 1893.8cm2 / 293.5inch2. The PB-1000 Pro requires 2% more surface area than the R-101SW 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 Klipsch R-101SW weighs 13.91kg / 30.6lbs. This makes the PB-1000 Pro 39% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how PB-1000 Pro and R-101SW'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 Klipsch R-101SW?
Here are the items that come with the R-101SW:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Height |
370mm
vs
479mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1893cm2
vs
1934cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
SVS PB-1000 Pro |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
325 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-260 Hz |
29.5-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
325-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
820-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber-composite |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
479.0mm (18.9") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
380.0mm (15") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
509.0mm (20") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Weight |
19.30kg (42.5lbs) |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - SVS PB-1000 Pro costs roughly 1.6x what Klipsch R-101SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PB-1000 Pro goes deeper - 17Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS PB-1000 Pro has the bigger amplifier - 325W against 150W RMS, about 3.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PB-1000 Pro moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only SVS PB-1000 Pro 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch R-101SW is about 24% 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 | B | Klipsch R-101SW costs less - $499 against $799, about 38% less. |
A SVS PB-1000 Pro B Klipsch R-101SW
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 PB-1000 Pro measures better, Klipsch R-101SW costs about 38% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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. 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 $499 each, two Klipsch R-101SW cost about $998 against $799 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.