In this review, we will be comparing PB-2000 Pro and C-308ASWi, 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-2000 Pro and Klipsch C-308ASWi 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-2000 Proand Klipsch C-308ASWi have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-2000 Pro's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch C-308ASWi features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-2000 Pro has a frequency range of 16-290 Hz whereas C-308ASWi has a frequency range of 28-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the PB-2000 Pro can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the C-308ASWi's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
The SVS PB-2000 Pro 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi have Passive Radiator type enclosure. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or 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-2000 Pro's and Klipsch C-308ASWi's external dimensions. SVS PB-2000 Pro has external dimensions of 534.0 x 442.0 x 609.0mm (21 x 17-3/8 x 23-15/16inch) whereas Klipsch C-308ASWi has external dimensions of 299.0 x 286.0 x 356.0mm (11-3/4 x 11-1/4 x 14inch).
SVS PB-2000 Pro is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 156mm wider, 235mm taller and 253mm deeper than Klipsch C-308ASWi.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-2000 Pro and Klipsch C-308ASWi in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-2000 Pro and Klipsch C-308ASWi 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-2000 Pro is approximately 2691.8cm2 / 417.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch C-308ASWi is approximately 1018.2cm2 / 157.8inch2. The PB-2000 Pro requires 164% more surface area than the C-308ASWi 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-2000 Pro weighs 29.45kg / 64.8lbs and the Klipsch C-308ASWi weighs 12.27kg / 27lbs. This makes the PB-2000 Pro 140% heavier than the C-308ASWi.
Here is a comparison of how PB-2000 Pro and C-308ASWi'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-2000 Pro?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PB-2000 Pro:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Instructions
- SVS brochure
What's in the Box of Klipsch C-308ASWi?
Here are the items that come with the C-308ASWi:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
290 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
299mm
vs
534mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1018cm2
vs
2691cm2
|
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-2000 Pro needs about 164% more floor area. SVS PB-2000 Pro stands 253mm further into the room. SVS PB-2000 Pro is 235mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-2000 Pro |
Klipsch C Series C-308ASWi |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
550 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16-290 Hz |
28-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
550-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
534.0mm (21") |
299.0mm (11.8") |
| Width |
442.0mm (17.4") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
| Depth |
609.0mm (24") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Weight |
29.45kg (64.8lbs) |
12.27kg (27lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PB-2000 Pro goes deeper - 16Hz against 28Hz. 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-2000 Pro has the bigger amplifier - 550W against 300W RMS, about 2.6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PB-2000 Pro moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS PB-2000 Pro is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; Klipsch C-308ASWi is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 | Klipsch C-308ASWi is about 79% 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-2000 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 | A | SVS PB-2000 Pro costs less - $1,100 against $1,299, about 15% less. |
A SVS PB-2000 Pro B Klipsch C-308ASWi
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-2000 Pro is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Klipsch C-308ASWi if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 - Klipsch C-308ASWi 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.