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  1. Home
  2. Powered Subwoofers
  3. SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution vs GoldenEar SuperSub X
SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution vs GoldenEar SuperSub X Comparison
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SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution

Powered Subwoofer | 16-235 Hz

SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution
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GoldenEar SuperSub X

Powered Subwoofer | 12-250 Hz

GoldenEar SuperSub X
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SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution SVS PB-3000 R|Evolut...
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GoldenEar SuperSub X GoldenEar SuperSub X
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SVS PB-3000 R|Evolut...
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GoldenEar SuperSub X
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SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution vs GoldenEar SuperSub X Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing PB-3000 R|Evolution and SuperSub X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and GoldenEar. 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-3000 R|Evolution and GoldenEar SuperSub X first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsSVS PB-3000 R|EvolutionGoldenEar SuperSub X
BrandSVS
United States · founded 1998
GoldenEar
United States · founded 2010
Driver13" Aluminum2 x 8" Fiber
Amplifier1200 watts RMS1400 watts RMS
EnclosurePortedPassive Radiator
Frequency response16-235 Hz12-250 Hz
Weight—18.18kg / 40lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)21-7/8" x 18-5/16" x 24-11/16"
556.0 x 465.0 x 627.0mm
12-3/4" x 14" x 15-1/4"
324.0 x 356.0 x 388.0mm
Woofer - 13 inch
SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution
Woofer - 8 inchWoofer - 8 inch
GoldenEar SuperSub X

Woofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

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-3000 R|Evolution and GoldenEar SuperSub X have a totally different setup: the SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution features 1 x 13-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers.

Frequency Response

PB-3000 R|Evolution has a frequency range of 16-235 Hz whereas SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 12Hz, the SuperSub X can go slightly deeper then the PB-3000 R|Evolution's min frequency of 16Hz.

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

SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution
GoldenEar SuperSub X
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Subwoofer Speakers

SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution
GoldenEar SuperSub X
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet Type

The SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution 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 GoldenEar SuperSub X 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-3000 R|Evolution's and GoldenEar SuperSub X's external dimensions. SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution has external dimensions of 556.0 x 465.0 x 627.0mm (21-7/8 x 18-5/16 x 24-11/16inch) whereas GoldenEar SuperSub X has external dimensions of 324.0 x 356.0 x 388.0mm (12-3/4inch x 14inch x 15-1/4inch).

SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 109mm wider, 232mm taller and 239mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub X.

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTSVS PB-3000 R|Evolution front: 465 x 556 mm (18.3 x 21.9 in)GoldenEar SuperSub X front: 356 x 324 mm (14 x 12.8 in)SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution465 × 556 mmGoldenEar SuperSub X356 × 324 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTSVS PB-3000 R|Evolution footprint: 465 x 627 mm (18.3 x 24.7 in)GoldenEar SuperSub X footprint: 356 x 388 mm (14 x 15.3 in)SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution465 × 627 mmGoldenEar SuperSub X356 × 388 mm
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.

SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution needs about 111% more floor or shelf area. SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution is 239mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution is 232mm taller.

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-3000 R|Evolution is approximately 2915.6cm2 / 451.9inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2. The PB-3000 R|Evolution requires 111% more surface area than the SuperSub X which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.


Reasons to choose SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution over GoldenEar SuperSub X
Woofer Size 13 inches vs 8 inches Larger woofer
Reasons to choose GoldenEar SuperSub X over SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution
Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
Low Frequency Response 12 Hz vs 16 Hz Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response 250 Hz vs 235 Hz Generates higher frequency
Passive Radiator two 10.5-inch x 9.5-inch vs None Increases the bass performance
Height 324mm vs 556mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 1381cm2 vs 2915cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 1499USD vs 1800USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTSVS PB-3000 R|Evolution front: 465 x 556 mm (18.3 x 21.9 in)GoldenEar SuperSub X front: 356 x 324 mm (14 x 12.8 in)SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution465 × 556 mmGoldenEar SuperSub X356 × 324 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTSVS PB-3000 R|Evolution footprint: 465 x 627 mm (18.3 x 24.7 in)GoldenEar SuperSub X footprint: 356 x 388 mm (14 x 15.3 in)SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution465 × 627 mmGoldenEar SuperSub X356 × 388 mm
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-3000 R|Evolution needs about 111% more floor area. SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution stands 239mm further into the room. SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution is 232mm taller.

SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution vs GoldenEar SuperSub X Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution GoldenEar SuperSub X
Brand SVS GoldenEar
Speaker Type Powered Subwoofer Powered Subwoofer
Max Amplifier Output 1200 watts 1400 watts
Frequency Response 16-235 Hz 12-250 Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 1200-watt RMS 1400-watt RMS
Watts Peak (Max) 4000-watt RMS n/a
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 2
Woofer Size 13" 8"
Woofer Composition Aluminum Fiber
Tweeter Size - -
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Firing Direction front side
Physical Specs
Height 556.0mm (21.9") 324.0mm (12.8")
Width 465.0mm (18.3") 356.0mm (14")
Depth 627.0mm (24.7") 388.0mm (15.3")
Weight n/a 18.18kg (40lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex Passive Radiator
Grille Yes n/a
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 3 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 3 Years

Verdict

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.

AreaBetterWhy
Bass depthBGoldenEar SuperSub X goes deeper - 12Hz against 16Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix.
Amplifier powerevenly matchedMuch the same amplifier (1200W vs 1400W RMS) - under 1dB apart.
Driver areaASVS PB-3000 R|Evolution moves more air: 13" against 2 x 8" is 1.32x the cone area, not the 1.15x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it.
EnclosuredependsSVS PB-3000 R|Evolution is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; GoldenEar SuperSub X 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.
Phase controlASVS PB-3000 R|Evolution has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box.
Driver placementdependsSVS PB-3000 R|Evolution fires front and GoldenEar SuperSub X fires side. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor.
Cabinet sizedependsGoldenEar SuperSub X is about 72% 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.
WarrantyASVS PB-3000 R|Evolution 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.
PriceBGoldenEar SuperSub X costs less - $1,499 against $1,800, about 17% less.

A SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution  B GoldenEar SuperSub X
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?

The usual trade-off: SVS PB-3000 R|Evolution measures better, GoldenEar SuperSub X costs about 17% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - GoldenEar SuperSub X 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.


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