In this review, we will be comparing PB 5000 R Evolution and SuperSub XXL, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and GoldenEar. 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 5000 R Evolution and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL 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 5000 R Evolution and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL have a totally different setup: the SVS PB 5000 R Evolution features 1 x 15-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
PB 5000 R Evolution has a frequency range of 13-180 Hz whereas SuperSub XXL has a frequency range of 10-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the SuperSub XXL can go slightly deeper then the PB 5000 R Evolution's min frequency of 13Hz.
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 5000 R Evolution's and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL's external dimensions. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution has external dimensions of 595.3 x 520.7 x 730.3mm () whereas GoldenEar SuperSub XXL has external dimensions of 447.0 x 485.0 x 434.0mm (17-9/16inch x 19-1/16inch x 17-1/16inch).
SVS PB 5000 R Evolution is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 35.7mm wider, 148.3mm taller and 296.3mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub XXL.
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 5000 R Evolution is approximately 3802.7cm2 / 589.4inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is approximately 2104.9cm2 / 326.3inch2. The PB 5000 R Evolution requires 81% more surface area than the SuperSub XXL 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 5000 R Evolution weighs 69.81kg / 153.6lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL weighs 37.27kg / 82lbs. This makes the PB 5000 R Evolution 87% heavier than the SuperSub XXL.
Here is a comparison of how PB 5000 R Evolution and SuperSub XXL's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
13 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 13-inch x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
447mm
vs
595mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2104cm2
vs
3802cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
2600USD
|
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 5000 R Evolution needs about 81% more floor area. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution stands 296mm further into the room. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution is 148mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB 5000 R Evolution |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
| Brand |
SVS |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
13-180 Hz |
10-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
2000-watt RMS |
1600-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
5000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
595.3mm (23.4") |
447.0mm (17.6") |
| Width |
520.7mm (20.5") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
730.3mm (28.8") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
69.81kg (153.6lbs) |
37.27kg (82lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL goes deeper - 10Hz against 13Hz. 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 5000 R Evolution has the bigger amplifier - 2000W against 1600W RMS, about 1dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL moves more air: 2 x 12" against 15" is 1.28x the cone area, not the 1.13x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS PB 5000 R Evolution is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is about 58% 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 5000 R Evolution carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A SVS PB 5000 R Evolution B GoldenEar SuperSub XXL
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.