In this review, we will be comparing PB 5000 R Evolution and RP-1200SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and Klipsch. 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 Klipsch RP-1200SW 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 5000 R Evolutionand Klipsch RP-1200SW have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB 5000 R Evolution's woofer is 15-inch whereas the Klipsch RP-1200SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB 5000 R Evolution has a frequency range of 13-180 Hz whereas RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 13Hz, the PB 5000 R Evolution can go slightly deeper then the RP-1200SW's min frequency of 17Hz.
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 Klipsch RP-1200SW's external dimensions. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution has external dimensions of 595.3 x 520.7 x 730.3mm () whereas Klipsch RP-1200SW has external dimensions of 482.0 x 432.0 x 659.0mm (18-15/16inch x 17inch x 25-15/16inch).
SVS PB 5000 R Evolution is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 88.7mm wider, 113.3mm taller and 71.3mm deeper than Klipsch RP-1200SW.
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 Klipsch RP-1200SW is approximately 2846.9cm2 / 441.3inch2. The PB 5000 R Evolution requires 34% more surface area than the RP-1200SW 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 Klipsch RP-1200SW weighs 31.18kg / 68.6lbs. This makes the PB 5000 R Evolution 124% heavier than the RP-1200SW.
Here is a comparison of how PB 5000 R Evolution and RP-1200SW'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 |
| Low Frequency Response |
13 Hz
vs
17 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
482mm
vs
595mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2846cm2
vs
3802cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
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 34% more floor area. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution stands 71mm further into the room. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution is 113mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB 5000 R Evolution |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
13-180 Hz |
16.5-138 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
2000-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
5000-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
595.3mm (23.4") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Width |
520.7mm (20.5") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
730.3mm (28.8") |
659.0mm (25.9") |
| Weight |
69.81kg (153.6lbs) |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF with Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Ebony |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
Different price classes - SVS PB 5000 R Evolution costs roughly 2.4x what Klipsch RP-1200SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PB 5000 R Evolution goes deeper - 13Hz against 17Hz. 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 400W RMS, about 7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PB 5000 R Evolution moves more air: 15" against 12" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch RP-1200SW is about 39% 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 | Klipsch RP-1200SW costs less - $1,100 against $2,600, about 58% less. |
A SVS PB 5000 R Evolution B Klipsch RP-1200SW
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 5000 R Evolution measures better, Klipsch RP-1200SW costs about 58% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $1,100 each, two Klipsch RP-1200SW cost about $2,200 against $2,600 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Klipsch RP-1200SW 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.