In this review, we will be comparing PB-3000 and KF92, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and KEF. 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 and KEF KF92 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.SVS PB-3000 and KEF KF92 have a totally different setup: the SVS PB-3000 features 1 x 13-inch drivers whereas the KF92 features 2 x 9-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
PB-3000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz whereas KF92 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KF92 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PB-3000'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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The SVS PB-3000 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 KEF KF92 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
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's and KEF KF92's external dimensions. SVS PB-3000 has external dimensions of 558.0 x 466.0 x 661.0mm (21-15/16 x 18-5/16 x 26inch) whereas KEF KF92 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 331.0 x 362.0mm (13-7/8 x 13 x 14-1/4inch).
SVS PB-3000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 135mm wider, 205mm taller and 299mm deeper than KEF KF92.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-3000 and KEF KF92 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-3000 and KEF KF92 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-3000 is approximately 3080.3cm2 / 477.4inch2 and base area of the KEF KF92 is approximately 1198.2cm2 / 185.7inch2. The PB-3000 requires 157% more surface area than the KF92 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-3000 weighs 37.36kg / 82.2lbs and the KEF KF92 weighs 20.05kg / 44.1lbs. This makes the PB-3000 86% heavier than the KF92.
Here is a comparison of how PB-3000 and KF92'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-3000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PB-3000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Online Registration Card
- SVS brochure
What's in the Box of KEF KF92?
Here are the items that come with the KF92:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
1600USD
vs
2000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
16 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
353mm
vs
558mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1198cm2
vs
3080cm2
|
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-3000 needs about 157% more floor area. SVS PB-3000 stands 299mm further into the room. SVS PB-3000 is 205mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-3000 |
KEF KF92 |
| Brand |
SVS |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16-200 Hz |
11-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
2500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
13" |
9" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
558.0mm (22") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
| Width |
466.0mm (18.3") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
661.0mm (26") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Weight |
37.36kg (82.2lbs) |
20.05kg (44.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed 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 | B | KEF KF92 goes deeper - 11Hz against 16Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KF92 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 800W RMS, about 1dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (13" against 2 x 9"). |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS PB-3000 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; KEF KF92 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (room correction and onboard DSP). |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | KEF KF92 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-3000 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 | KEF KF92 is about 75% 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-3000 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-3000 costs less - $1,600 against $2,000, about 20% less. |
A SVS PB-3000 B KEF KF92
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: KEF KF92 measures better, SVS PB-3000 costs about 20% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, SVS PB-3000 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KF92 is usually the easier one to make sound right. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, KEF KF92 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.