In this review, we will be comparing PB-1000 and Silver W-12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and Monitor Audio . 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 and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the SVS PB-1000 and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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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-1000and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-1000's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Monitor Audio Silver W-12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-1000 has a frequency range of 19-270 Hz whereas Silver W-12 has a frequency range of 20-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the PB-1000 can go slightly deeper then the Silver W-12'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
Monitor Audio Silver W-12
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver W-12
Cabinet Type
The SVS PB-1000 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 Monitor Audio Silver W-12 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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's and Monitor Audio Silver W-12's external dimensions. SVS PB-1000 has external dimensions of 480.0 x 381.0 x 532.0mm ( 18-7/8 x 15 x 20-15/16inch) whereas Monitor Audio Silver W-12 has external dimensions of 355.0 x 342.0 x 445.0mm ( 13-15/16 x 13-7/16 x 17-1/2inch) .
SVS PB-1000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 39mm wider, 125mm taller and 87mm deeper than Monitor Audio Silver W-12.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-1000 and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-1000 and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 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 is approximately 2026.9cm2 / 314.2inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Silver W-12 is approximately 1521.9cm2 / 235.9inch2. The PB-1000 requires 33% more surface area than the Silver W-12 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 weighs 20.91kg / 46lbs and the Monitor Audio Silver W-12 weighs 20.14kg / 44.3lbs. This makes the PB-1000 4% heavier than the Silver W-12.
Here is a comparison of how PB-1000 and Silver W-12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver W-12
What's in the Box of SVS PB-1000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PB-1000:
Powered subwooferGrille (installed)6-feet AC power cordOwners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Silver W-12?
Here are the items that come with the Silver W-12:
Powered sub6-feet AC power cordGrilleAuto setup mic (w/ attached 19.5-feet cable)10.75-feet Mono minijack cable4 FeetOwners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
 Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
270k Hz
vs
120k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
2100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
355mm
vs
480mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1521cm2 (342x445mm)
vs
2026cm2 (381x532mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
SVS PB-1000 |
Monitor Audio Silver W-12 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
19-270 Hz |
20-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber-composite |
C-CAM |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
50-160 Hz and 80 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
480.0mm (18.9") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
381.0mm (15") |
342.0mm (13.5") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
445.0mm (17.5") |
| Weight |
20.91kg (46lbs) |
20.14kg (44.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |