In this review, we will be comparing PB17 Ultra 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 PB17 Ultra 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 PB17 Ultra R Evolutionand Klipsch RP-1200SW have a single woofer setup however the SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution's woofer is 17-inch whereas the Klipsch RP-1200SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PB17 Ultra R Evolution has a frequency range of 14-220 Hz whereas RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 14Hz, the PB17 Ultra 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
SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution
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 PB17 Ultra R Evolution's and Klipsch RP-1200SW's external dimensions. SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution has external dimensions of 635.0 x 552.5 x 746.1mm () 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 PB17 Ultra R Evolution is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 120.5mm wider, 153mm taller and 87.1mm 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 PB17 Ultra R Evolution is approximately 4122.2cm2 / 638.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-1200SW is approximately 2846.9cm2 / 441.3inch2. The PB17 Ultra R Evolution requires 45% 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 PB17 Ultra R Evolution weighs 74.71kg / 164.4lbs and the Klipsch RP-1200SW weighs 31.18kg / 68.6lbs. This makes the PB17 Ultra R Evolution 140% heavier than the RP-1200SW.
Here is a comparison of how PB17 Ultra R Evolution and RP-1200SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution
 Woofer Size |
17 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
14 Hz
vs
17 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
220 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
482mm
vs
635mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2846cm2
vs
4122cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
3000USD
|
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 PB17 Ultra R Evolution needs about 45% more floor area. SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution stands 87mm further into the room. SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution is 153mm taller.
| General |
SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
14-220 Hz |
16.5-138 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
2800-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
6000-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
17" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
635.0mm (25") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Width |
552.5mm (21.8") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
746.1mm (29.4") |
659.0mm (25.9") |
| Weight |
74.71kg (164.4lbs) |
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 |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution goes deeper - 14Hz 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 PB17 Ultra R Evolution has the bigger amplifier - 2800W against 400W RMS, about 8.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PB17 Ultra R Evolution moves more air: 17" against 12" is 2.01x the cone area, not the 1.42x 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 48% 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 $3,000, about 63% less. |
A SVS PB17 Ultra 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 PB17 Ultra R Evolution measures better, Klipsch RP-1200SW costs about 63% 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 $3,000 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.