In this review, we will be comparing PB 5000 R Evolution and Monitor XT12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and Polk Audio. 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 Polk Monitor XT12 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 Polk Monitor XT12 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB 5000 R Evolution's woofer is 15-inch whereas the Polk Monitor XT12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB 5000 R Evolution has a frequency range of 13-180 Hz whereas Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 13Hz, the PB 5000 R Evolution can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Monitor XT12's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 Polk Monitor XT12's external dimensions. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution has external dimensions of 595.3 x 520.7 x 730.3mm () whereas Polk Monitor XT12 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 408.0 x 485.0mm (16-7/16inch x 16-1/16inch x 19-1/16inch).
SVS PB 5000 R Evolution is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 112.7mm wider, 177.3mm taller and 245.3mm deeper than Polk Monitor XT12.
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 Polk Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2. The PB 5000 R Evolution requires 92% more surface area than the Monitor XT12 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 Polk Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the PB 5000 R Evolution 294% heavier than the Monitor XT12.
Here is a comparison of how PB 5000 R Evolution and Monitor XT12'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
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
418mm
vs
595mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1978cm2
vs
3802cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
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 92% more floor area. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution stands 245mm further into the room. SVS PB 5000 R Evolution is 177mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB 5000 R Evolution |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
13-180 Hz |
24-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
2000-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
5000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Bi-laminate paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
595.3mm (23.4") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
520.7mm (20.5") |
408.0mm (16.1") |
| Depth |
730.3mm (28.8") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
69.81kg (153.6lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
Different price classes - SVS PB 5000 R Evolution costs roughly 6.5x what Polk Monitor XT12 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 24Hz. 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 50W RMS, about 16dB 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 | Polk Monitor XT12 is about 63% 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 | B | Polk Monitor XT12 costs less - $399 against $2,600, about 85% less. |
A SVS PB 5000 R Evolution B Polk Monitor XT12
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, Polk Monitor XT12 costs about 85% 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 $399 each, two Polk Monitor XT12 cost about $798 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 - Polk Monitor XT12 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.