In this review, we will be comparing PB-1000 Pro and Defiance V12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and Paradigm. 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 Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Defiance V12 has a frequency range of 23-200 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 Defiance V12's min frequency of 23Hz.
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 Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Paradigm Defiance V12'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 Paradigm Defiance V12 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 421.0 x 486.0mm (17-7/8inch x 16-9/16inch x 19-1/8inch).
Paradigm Defiance V12 is 24mm shorter and 23mm less deeper than SVS PB-1000 Pro but it is also 41mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-1000 Pro and Paradigm Defiance V12 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-1000 Pro and Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Paradigm Defiance V12 is approximately 2046.1cm2 / 317.1inch2. The PB-1000 Pro requires 5% less surface area than the Defiance V12 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 PB-1000 Pro weighs 19.30kg / 42.5lbs and the Paradigm Defiance V12 weighs 19.09kg / 42lbs. This makes the PB-1000 Pro 1% heavier than the Defiance V12.
Here is a comparison of how PB-1000 Pro and Defiance V12'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 Paradigm Defiance V12?
Here are the items that come with the Defiance V12:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feetAC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Important Unboxing Information
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
23 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1934cm2
vs
2046cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Height |
455mm
vs
479mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
779USD
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.
Near-identical footprints. SVS PB-1000 Pro stands 23mm further into the room. SVS PB-1000 Pro is 24mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-1000 Pro |
Paradigm Defiance V12 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
325 watts |
120 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-260 Hz |
23-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
325-watt RMS |
120-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
820-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber-composite |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
479.0mm (18.9") |
455.0mm (17.9") |
| Width |
380.0mm (15") |
421.0mm (16.6") |
| Depth |
509.0mm (20") |
486.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
19.30kg (42.5lbs) |
19.09kg (42lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 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 | A | SVS PB-1000 Pro goes deeper - 17Hz against 23Hz. 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 120W RMS, about 4.3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (app control). |
| Warranty | A | SVS PB-1000 Pro carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A SVS PB-1000 Pro B Paradigm Defiance V12
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 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
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.