In this review, we will be comparing PB-1000 Pro and PB-4000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by SVS. 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 SVS PB-4000 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.Both SVS PB-1000 Proand SVS PB-4000 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-1000 Pro's woofer is 12-inch whereas the SVS PB-4000 features a 13.5-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 17-260 Hz whereas PB-4000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the PB-4000 can go slightly deeper then the PB-1000 Pro's min frequency of 17Hz.
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 SVS PB-4000 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 SVS PB-4000'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 SVS PB-4000 has external dimensions of 596.0 x 521.0 x 762.0mm (23-7/16 x 20-1/2 x 30inch).
SVS PB-4000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 141mm wider, 117mm taller and 253mm deeper than SVS PB-1000 Pro.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-1000 Pro and SVS PB-4000 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-1000 Pro and SVS PB-4000 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 SVS PB-4000 is approximately 3970.0cm2 / 615.4inch2. The PB-1000 Pro requires 51% less surface area than the PB-4000 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 SVS PB-4000 weighs 69.64kg / 153.2lbs. This makes the PB-4000 261% heavier than the PB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how PB-1000 Pro and PB-4000'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 SVS PB-4000?
Here are the items that come with the PB-4000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 4 Elastomer feet
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
479mm
vs
596mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1934cm2
vs
3970cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Woofer Size |
13.5 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
17 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
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-4000 needs about 105% more floor area. SVS PB-4000 stands 253mm further into the room. SVS PB-4000 is 117mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-1000 Pro |
SVS PB-4000 |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
325 watts |
1200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-260 Hz |
16-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
325-watt RMS |
1200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
820-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
13.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber-composite |
Composite/Glass Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
479.0mm (18.9") |
596.0mm (23.5") |
| Width |
380.0mm (15") |
521.0mm (20.5") |
| Depth |
509.0mm (20") |
762.0mm (30") |
| Weight |
19.30kg (42.5lbs) |
69.64kg (153.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in SVS's PB range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (17Hz vs 16Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS PB-4000 has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 325W RMS, about 5.7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | SVS PB-4000 moves more air: 13.5" against 12" is 1.27x the cone area, not the 1.13x 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. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (app control). |
| 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 | SVS PB-1000 Pro is about 61% 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 PB-1000 Pro costs less - $799 against $2,300, about 65% less. |
A SVS PB-1000 Pro B SVS PB-4000
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-4000 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 2.9x the price. SVS PB-1000 Pro is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $799 each, two SVS PB-1000 Pro cost about $1,598 against $2,300 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.