In this review, we will be comparing PB-3000 and PB-2000 Pro, 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-2000 Pro 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-2000 Pro have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-3000's woofer is 13-inch whereas the SVS PB-2000 Pro features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-3000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz whereas PB-2000 Pro has a frequency range of 16-290 Hz.
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-2000 Pro 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-2000 Pro'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-2000 Pro has external dimensions of 534.0 x 442.0 x 609.0mm (21 x 17-3/8 x 23-15/16inch).
SVS PB-3000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 24mm wider, 24mm taller and 52mm deeper than SVS PB-2000 Pro.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-3000 and SVS PB-2000 Pro in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-3000 and SVS PB-2000 Pro 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-2000 Pro is approximately 2691.8cm2 / 417.2inch2. The PB-3000 requires 14% more surface area than the PB-2000 Pro 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-2000 Pro weighs 29.45kg / 64.8lbs. This makes the PB-3000 27% heavier than the PB-2000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how PB-3000 and PB-2000 Pro'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-2000 Pro?
Here are the items that come with the PB-2000 Pro:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Instructions
- SVS brochure
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
290 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
534mm
vs
558mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2691cm2
vs
3080cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
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 14% more floor area. SVS PB-3000 stands 52mm further into the room. SVS PB-3000 is 24mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-3000 |
SVS PB-2000 Pro |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
550 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16-200 Hz |
16-290 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
550-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
2500-watt RMS |
1500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
558.0mm (22") |
534.0mm (21") |
| Width |
466.0mm (18.3") |
442.0mm (17.4") |
| Depth |
661.0mm (26") |
609.0mm (24") |
| Weight |
37.36kg (82.2lbs) |
29.45kg (64.8lbs) |
| 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (16Hz vs 16Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS PB-3000 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 550W RMS, about 1.6dB 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 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (room correction, onboard DSP and app control). |
| Price | B | SVS PB-2000 Pro costs less - $1,100 against $1,600, about 31% less. |
A SVS PB-3000 B SVS PB-2000 Pro
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-3000 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 45% more. SVS PB-2000 Pro is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra.
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.