In this review, we will be comparing PB16-Ultra 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 PB16-Ultra 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 PB16-Ultraand SVS PB-3000 have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB16-Ultra's woofer is 16-inch whereas the SVS PB-3000 features a 13-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB16-Ultra has a frequency range of 13-280 Hz whereas PB-3000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 13Hz, the PB16-Ultra can go slightly deeper then the PB-3000'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
Cabinet Type
Both SVS PB16-Ultra 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 PB16-Ultra's and SVS PB-3000's external dimensions. SVS PB16-Ultra has external dimensions of 635.0 x 553.0 x 788.0mm (25 x 21-3/4 x 31inch) 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 PB16-Ultra is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 87mm wider, 77mm taller and 127mm deeper than SVS PB-3000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PB16-Ultra and SVS PB-3000 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PB16-Ultra 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 PB16-Ultra is approximately 4357.6cm2 / 675.4inch2 and base area of the SVS PB-3000 is approximately 3080.3cm2 / 477.4inch2. The PB16-Ultra requires 41% 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 PB16-Ultra weighs 79.32kg / 174.5lbs and the SVS PB-3000 weighs 37.36kg / 82.2lbs. This makes the PB16-Ultra 112% heavier than the PB-3000.
Here is a comparison of how PB16-Ultra 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 PB16-Ultra?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PB16-Ultra:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 5-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (3V battery installed)
- Owners Manual
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 |
16 inches
vs
13 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
13 Hz
vs
16 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
280 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
558mm
vs
635mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
3080cm2
vs
4357cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1600USD
vs
2900USD
|
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 PB16-Ultra needs about 41% more floor area. SVS PB16-Ultra stands 127mm further into the room. SVS PB16-Ultra is 77mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB16-Ultra |
SVS PB-3000 |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1500 watts |
800 watts |
| Frequency Response |
13-280 Hz |
16-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1500-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
2500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
16" |
13" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite fiberglass/resin |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
635.0mm (25") |
558.0mm (22") |
| Width |
553.0mm (21.8") |
466.0mm (18.3") |
| Depth |
788.0mm (31") |
661.0mm (26") |
| Weight |
79.32kg (174.5lbs) |
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 | A | SVS PB16-Ultra 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 | A | SVS PB16-Ultra has the bigger amplifier - 1500W against 800W RMS, about 2.7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PB16-Ultra moves more air: 16" against 13" is 1.51x the cone area, not the 1.23x 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. |
| 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 38% 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 $2,900, about 45% less. |
A SVS PB16-Ultra 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?
The usual trade-off: SVS PB16-Ultra measures better, SVS PB-3000 costs about 45% 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 $1,600 each, two SVS PB-3000 cost about $3,200 against $2,900 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - SVS PB-3000 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.