In this review, we will be comparing PB-4000 and PB-3000, 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-4000 and SVS PB-3000 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-4000and SVS PB-3000 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-4000's woofer is 13.5-inch whereas the SVS PB-3000 features a 13-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-4000 and PB-3000 has exactly the same frequency range of 16-200 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-4000 and SVS PB-3000 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-4000's and SVS PB-3000's external dimensions. SVS PB-4000 has external dimensions of 596.0 x 521.0 x 762.0mm (23-7/16 x 20-1/2 x 30inch) whereas SVS PB-3000 has external dimensions of 558.0 x 466.0 x 661.0mm (21-15/16 x 18-5/16 x 26inch).
SVS PB-4000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 55mm wider, 38mm taller and 101mm deeper than SVS PB-3000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB-4000 and SVS PB-3000 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB-4000 and SVS PB-3000 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-4000 is approximately 3970.0cm2 / 615.4inch2 and base area of the SVS PB-3000 is approximately 3080.3cm2 / 477.4inch2. The PB-4000 requires 29% more surface area than the PB-3000 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-4000 weighs 69.64kg / 153.2lbs and the SVS PB-3000 weighs 37.36kg / 82.2lbs. This makes the PB-4000 86% heavier than the PB-3000.
Here is a comparison of how PB-4000 and PB-3000'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-4000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PB-4000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 4 Elastomer feet
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of SVS PB-3000?
Here are the items that come with the PB-3000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Online Registration Card
- SVS brochure
 Woofer Size |
13.5 inches
vs
13 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 Height |
558mm
vs
596mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
3080cm2
vs
3970cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1600USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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-4000 needs about 29% more floor area. SVS PB-4000 stands 101mm further into the room. SVS PB-4000 is 38mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB-4000 |
SVS PB-3000 |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1200 watts |
800 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16-200 Hz |
16-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
2500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13.5" |
13" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite/Glass Fiber |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
596.0mm (23.5") |
558.0mm (22") |
| Width |
521.0mm (20.5") |
466.0mm (18.3") |
| Depth |
762.0mm (30") |
661.0mm (26") |
| Weight |
69.64kg (153.2lbs) |
37.36kg (82.2lbs) |
| 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-4000 has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 800W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (13.5" against 13"). |
| 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 (app control). |
| 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-3000 is about 27% 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-3000 costs less - $1,600 against $2,300, about 30% less. |
A SVS PB-4000 B SVS PB-3000
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-4000 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 44% more. SVS PB-3000 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.