In this review, we will be comparing PB-1000 and Alpha S8, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and PSB. 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 PSB Alpha S8 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-1000and PSB Alpha S8 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-1000's woofer is 10-inch whereas the PSB Alpha S8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-1000 has a frequency range of 19-270 Hz whereas Alpha S8 has a frequency range of 35-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the PB-1000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Alpha S8's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 and PSB Alpha S8 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's and PSB Alpha S8'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 PSB Alpha S8 has external dimensions of 318.0 x 293.0 x 413.0mm (12-1/2 x 11-1/2 x 16-1/4inch).
SVS PB-1000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 88mm wider, 162mm taller and 119mm deeper than PSB Alpha S8.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-1000 and PSB Alpha S8 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-1000 and PSB Alpha S8 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 PSB Alpha S8 is approximately 1210.1cm2 / 187.6inch2. The PB-1000 requires 67% more surface area than the Alpha S8 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 PSB Alpha S8 weighs 9.55kg / 21lbs. This makes the PB-1000 119% heavier than the Alpha S8.
Here is a comparison of how PB-1000 and Alpha S8'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?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PB-1000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of PSB Alpha S8?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha S8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 5-feet AC power cord
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Hex-nuts
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
270 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
318mm
vs
480mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1210cm2
vs
2026cm2
|
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 needs about 68% more floor area. SVS PB-1000 stands 119mm further into the room. SVS PB-1000 is 162mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-1000 |
PSB Alpha S8 |
| Brand |
SVS |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
19-270 Hz |
35-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber-composite |
Polypropylene |
| 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") |
318.0mm (12.5") |
| Width |
381.0mm (15") |
293.0mm (11.5") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
413.0mm (16.3") |
| Weight |
20.91kg (46lbs) |
9.55kg (21lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
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 goes deeper - 19Hz against 35Hz. 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 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 150W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PB-1000 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x 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 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 | PSB Alpha S8 is about 60% 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 carries 5 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | SVS PB-1000 costs less - $499 against $549, about 9% less. |
A SVS PB-1000 B PSB Alpha S8
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 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, SVS PB-1000 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - PSB Alpha S8 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.