In this review, we will be comparing PB-4000 and PB 5000 R Evolution, 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 5000 R Evolution 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 5000 R Evolution have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB-4000's woofer is 13.5-inch whereas the SVS PB 5000 R Evolution features a 15-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB-4000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz whereas PB 5000 R Evolution has a frequency range of 13-180 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 13Hz, the PB 5000 R Evolution can go slightly deeper then the PB-4000'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
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 5000 R Evolution'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 5000 R Evolution has external dimensions of 595.3 x 520.7 x 730.3mm ().
SVS PB-4000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 0.29999999999995mm wider, 0.70000000000005mm taller and 31.7mm deeper than SVS PB 5000 R Evolution.
Size, drawn to scale
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.
Near-identical footprints. SVS PB-4000 is 32mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 5000 R Evolution is approximately 3802.7cm2 / 589.4inch2. The PB-4000 requires 4% more surface area than the PB 5000 R Evolution 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 5000 R Evolution weighs 69.81kg / 153.6lbs. This makes the PB 5000 R Evolution 0% heavier than the PB-4000.
Here is a comparison of how PB-4000 and PB 5000 R Evolution's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
2300USD
vs
2600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
13.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
13 Hz
vs
16 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
595mm
vs
596mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
3802cm2
vs
3970cm2
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. SVS PB-4000 stands 32mm further into the room.
| General |
SVS PB-4000 |
SVS PB 5000 R Evolution |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
16-200 Hz |
13-180 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
2000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
5000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13.5" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite/Glass Fiber |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
596.0mm (23.5") |
595.3mm (23.4") |
| Width |
521.0mm (20.5") |
520.7mm (20.5") |
| Depth |
762.0mm (30") |
730.3mm (28.8") |
| Weight |
69.64kg (153.2lbs) |
69.81kg (153.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| 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 | B | SVS PB 5000 R Evolution goes deeper - 13Hz 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 | SVS PB 5000 R Evolution has the bigger amplifier - 2000W against 1200W RMS, about 2.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | SVS PB 5000 R Evolution moves more air: 15" against 13.5" is 1.23x the cone area, not the 1.11x 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. |
| Price | A | SVS PB-4000 costs less - $2,300 against $2,600, about 12% less. |
A SVS PB-4000 B SVS PB 5000 R Evolution
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 5000 R Evolution leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. SVS PB-4000 is the one to take if it does not.
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.