In this review, we will be comparing PC-4000 and PC13-Ultra, 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 PC-4000 and SVS PC13-Ultra 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-4000and SVS PC13-Ultra have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 13.5" drivers.
Frequency Response
PC-4000 has a frequency range of 17-200 Hz whereas PC13-Ultra has a frequency range of 15-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the PC13-Ultra can go slightly deeper then 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
Both SVS PC-4000 and SVS PC13-Ultra 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 PC-4000's and SVS PC13-Ultra'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 SVS PC13-Ultra has external dimensions of 1194.0 x 422.0 x 422.0mm (47 x 16-5/8 x 16-5/8inch).
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints.
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 SVS PC13-Ultra is approximately 1780.8cm2 / 276.0inch2. The PC-4000 requires 0% more surface area than the PC13-Ultra 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 SVS PC13-Ultra weighs 40.80kg / 89.8lbs. This makes the PC-4000 3% heavier than the PC13-Ultra.
Here is a comparison of how PC-4000 and PC13-Ultra's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
17 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1780cm2
vs
1789cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1700USD
vs
2200USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints.
| General |
SVS PC-4000 |
SVS PC13-Ultra |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1200 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-200 Hz |
15-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
3600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13.5" |
13.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite/Glass Fiber |
Fiberglass composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1194.0mm (47") |
1194.0mm (47") |
| Width |
423.0mm (16.7") |
422.0mm (16.6") |
| Depth |
423.0mm (16.7") |
422.0mm (16.6") |
| Weight |
42.00kg (92.4lbs) |
40.80kg (89.8lbs) |
| 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 PC range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (17Hz vs 15Hz). |
| 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 13.5"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | SVS PC-4000 fires down and SVS PC13-Ultra fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Price | B | SVS PC13-Ultra costs less - $1,700 against $2,200, about 23% less. |
A SVS PC-4000 B SVS PC13-Ultra
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.
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.