In this review, we will be comparing PC-2000 and Elite ES12, 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 PC-2000 and Polk Signature Elite ES12 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 PC-2000and Polk Signature Elite ES12 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
PC-2000 has a frequency range of 16-260 Hz whereas Elite ES12 has a frequency range of 22-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the PC-2000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Elite ES12's min frequency of 22Hz.
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
Polk Signature Elite ES12
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
Cabinet Type
Both SVS PC-2000 and Polk Signature Elite ES12 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.
Polk Signature Elite ES12 double Port
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 PC-2000's and Polk Signature Elite ES12's external dimensions. SVS PC-2000 has external dimensions of 872.0 x 422.0 x 422.0mm (34-5/16 x 16-5/8 x 16-5/8inch) whereas Polk Signature Elite ES12 has external dimensions of 231.0 x 364.0 x 532.0mm (9-1/16inch x 14-5/16inch x 20-15/16inch).
Polk Signature Elite ES12 is 58mm narrower and 641mm shorter than SVS PC-2000 but it is also 110mm deeper.
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 PC-2000 is approximately 1780.8cm2 / 276.0inch2 and base area of the Polk Signature Elite ES12 is approximately 1936.5cm2 / 300.2inch2. The PC-2000 requires 8% less surface area than the Elite ES12 which gives it a small advantage 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 PC-2000 weighs 22.70kg / 49.9lbs and the Polk Signature Elite ES12 weighs 21.64kg / 47.6lbs. This makes the PC-2000 5% heavier than the Elite ES12.
Here is a comparison of how PC-2000 and Elite ES12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
 Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
260 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1780cm2
vs
1936cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
849USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
231mm
vs
872mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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.
Polk Signature Elite ES12 needs about 9% more floor area. Polk Signature Elite ES12 stands 110mm further into the room. SVS PC-2000 is 641mm taller.
| General |
SVS PC-2000 |
Polk Signature Elite ES12 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16-260 Hz |
22-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1100-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Mineral-filled polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
872.0mm (34.3") |
231.0mm (9.1") |
| Width |
422.0mm (16.6") |
364.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
422.0mm (16.6") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
22.70kg (49.9lbs) |
21.64kg (47.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PC-2000 goes deeper - 16Hz against 22Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS PC-2000 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 300W RMS, about 2.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Polk Signature Elite ES12 is about 71% 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 PC-2000 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 | A | SVS PC-2000 costs less - $750 against $849, about 12% less. |
A SVS PC-2000 B Polk Signature Elite ES12
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?
SVS PC-2000 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Polk Signature Elite ES12 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Polk Signature Elite ES12 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.