In this review, we will be comparing PB-3000 and PB-1000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by SVS. 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 SVS PB-1000 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-3000and SVS PB-1000 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-3000's woofer is 13-inch whereas the SVS PB-1000 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-3000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz whereas PB-1000 has a frequency range of 19-270 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the PB-3000 can go slightly deeper then the PB-1000's min frequency of 19Hz.
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-3000 and SVS PB-1000 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-3000's and SVS PB-1000'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 SVS PB-1000 has external dimensions of 480.0 x 381.0 x 532.0mm (18-7/8 x 15 x 20-15/16inch).
SVS PB-3000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 85mm wider, 78mm taller and 129mm deeper than SVS PB-1000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-3000 and SVS PB-1000 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-3000 and SVS PB-1000 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 SVS PB-1000 is approximately 2026.9cm2 / 314.2inch2. The PB-3000 requires 52% more surface area than the PB-1000 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 SVS PB-1000 weighs 20.91kg / 46lbs. This makes the PB-3000 79% heavier than the PB-1000.
Here is a comparison of how PB-3000 and PB-1000'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 SVS PB-1000?
Here are the items that come with the PB-1000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
19 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 High Frequency Response |
270 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
480mm
vs
558mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2026cm2
vs
3080cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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 52% more floor area. SVS PB-3000 stands 129mm further into the room. SVS PB-3000 is 78mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-3000 |
SVS PB-1000 |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16-200 Hz |
19-270 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
2500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Fiber-composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
50-160 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
558.0mm (22") |
480.0mm (18.9") |
| Width |
466.0mm (18.3") |
381.0mm (15") |
| Depth |
661.0mm (26") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
37.36kg (82.2lbs) |
20.91kg (46lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in SVS's PB range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PB-3000 goes deeper - 16Hz against 19Hz. 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-3000 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 300W RMS, about 4.3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PB-3000 moves more air: 13" against 10" is 1.69x the cone area, not the 1.3x 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 | B | 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. |
| 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 | SVS PB-1000 is about 43% 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. |
| Price | B | SVS PB-1000 costs less - $499 against $1,600, about 69% less. |
A SVS PB-3000 B SVS PB-1000
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 measures better, SVS PB-1000 costs about 69% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $499 each, two SVS PB-1000 cost about $998 against $1,600 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.