In this review, we will be comparing PC-4000 and KF92, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and KEF. 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-4000 and KEF KF92 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.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.SVS PC-4000 and KEF KF92 have a totally different setup: the SVS PC-4000 features 1 x 13.5-inch drivers whereas the KF92 features 2 x 9-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
PC-4000 has a frequency range of 17-200 Hz whereas KF92 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KF92 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PC-4000'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
Cabinet Type
The SVS PC-4000 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the KEF KF92 have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported 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 PC-4000's and KEF KF92's external dimensions. SVS PC-4000 has external dimensions of 1194.0 x 423.0 x 423.0mm (47 x 16-5/8 x 16-5/8inch) whereas KEF KF92 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 331.0 x 362.0mm (13-7/8 x 13 x 14-1/4inch).
SVS PC-4000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 92mm wider, 841mm taller and 61mm deeper than KEF KF92.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS PC-4000 and KEF KF92 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS PC-4000 and KEF KF92 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 PC-4000 is approximately 1789.3cm2 / 277.3inch2 and base area of the KEF KF92 is approximately 1198.2cm2 / 185.7inch2. The PC-4000 requires 49% more surface area than the KF92 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 PC-4000 weighs 42.00kg / 92.4lbs and the KEF KF92 weighs 20.05kg / 44.1lbs. This makes the PC-4000 109% heavier than the KF92.
Here is a comparison of how PC-4000 and KF92'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 PC-4000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PC-4000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Top-cap w/ integrated grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 4 Elastomer feet
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of KEF KF92?
Here are the items that come with the KF92:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
13.5 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
17 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
353mm
vs
1194mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1198cm2
vs
1789cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2000USD
vs
2200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
SVS PC-4000 |
KEF KF92 |
| Brand |
SVS |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1200 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-200 Hz |
11-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
13.5" |
9" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite/Glass Fiber |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1194.0mm (47") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
| Width |
423.0mm (16.7") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
423.0mm (16.7") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Weight |
42.00kg (92.4lbs) |
20.05kg (44.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | KEF KF92 goes deeper - 11Hz against 17Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (1200W vs 1000W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (13.5" against 2 x 9"). |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS PC-4000 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; KEF KF92 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | KEF KF92 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KF92 is about 80% 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-4000 carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | KEF KF92 costs less - $2,000 against $2,200, about 9% less. |
A SVS PC-4000 B KEF KF92
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?
KEF KF92 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, SVS PC-4000 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KF92 is usually the easier one to make sound right. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, KEF KF92 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.