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SVS SB-1000 Pro vs MartinLogan Dynamo 400 Comparison
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Subwoofer to replace
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SVS SB-1000 Pro

Powered Subwoofer | 20-270 Hz

SVS SB-1000 Pro
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MartinLogan 400

Powered Subwoofer | 30-200 Hz

MartinLogan Dynamo 400
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SVS SB-1000 Pro SVS SB-1000 Pro
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MartinLogan 400 MartinLogan 400
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SVS SB-1000 Pro
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MartinLogan 400
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SVS SB-1000 Pro vs MartinLogan 400 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing SB-1000 Pro and Dynamo 400, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and MartinLogan. 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 SB-1000 Pro and MartinLogan 400 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

SVS SB-1000 Pro Key Specs

  • 12" Fiber-composite Woofer
  • 20-270 Hz Frequency Response
  • 325 watts Max Amplifier Output
  • App Control Feature
  • Weight:11.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 343.0" x 13" x 15-13/16"( 343.0 x 331.0 x 402.0mm )

MartinLogan 400 Key Specs

  • 8" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 30-200 Hz Frequency Response
  • 75 watts Max Amplifier Output
  • Weight:12.95kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 385.0" x 13-5/16" x 15-1/4"( 385.0 x 339.0 x 388.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the SVS SB-1000 Pro and MartinLogan 400 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Drivers

The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both SVS SB-1000 Proand MartinLogan 400 have a single woofer setup however the SVS SB-1000 Pro's woofer is 12-inch whereas the MartinLogan 400 features a 8-inch woofer.

Frequency Response

SB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 20-270 Hz whereas Dynamo 400 has a frequency range of 30-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SB-1000 Pro can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dynamo 400's min frequency of 30Hz.

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 SB-1000 Pro
MartinLogan 400
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Subwoofer Speakers

SVS SB-1000 Pro
MartinLogan 400
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet Type

The SVS SB-1000 Pro has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the MartinLogan 400 have Bass reflex type enclosure.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 SB-1000 Pro's and MartinLogan 400's external dimensions. SVS SB-1000 Pro has external dimensions of 343.0 x 331.0 x 402.0mm ( 13-1/2inch x 13inch x 15-13/16inch ) whereas MartinLogan 400 has external dimensions of 385.0 x 339.0 x 388.0mm ( 15-1/8 x 13-5/16 x 15-1/4inch) .

SVS SB-1000 Pro is 8mm narrower and 42mm shorter than MartinLogan 400 but it is also 14mm deeper.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS SB-1000 Pro and MartinLogan 400 in scale.

SVS SB-1000 Pro vs MartinLogan 400 Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of SVS SB-1000 Pro and MartinLogan 400 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 SB-1000 Pro is approximately 1330.6cm2 / 206.2inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 400 is approximately 1315.3cm2 / 203.9inch2. The SB-1000 Pro requires 1% more surface area than the Dynamo 400 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 SB-1000 Pro weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs and the MartinLogan 400 weighs 12.95kg / 28.5lbs. This makes the Dynamo 400 10% heavier than the SB-1000 Pro.

Here is a comparison of how SB-1000 Pro and Dynamo 400's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.

Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
SVS SB-1000 Pro
MartinLogan 400
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of SVS SB-1000 Pro?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of SB-1000 Pro:
  • Powered subwoofer
  • Grille
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Brochure
  • SVS Support Information
  • What's in the Box of MartinLogan 400?

    Here are the items that come with the Dynamo 400:
  • Powered subwoofer
  • 6.5-feet AC power cord
  • User-feets Manual

  • Reasons to choose SVS SB-1000 Pro over MartinLogan Dynamo 400
    Woofer Size 12 inches vs 8 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 20 Hz vs 30 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 270k Hz vs 200k Hz Generates higher frequency
    App-Based Control iOS,Android vs None Control the speaker via an app
    Height 343mm vs 385mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Wireless Operation Optional vs No Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless
    Reasons to choose MartinLogan Dynamo 400 over SVS SB-1000 Pro
    Base Surface Area 1315cm2 vs 1330cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 500USD vs 600USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    SVS SB-1000 Pro vs MartinLogan 400 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General SVS SB-1000 Pro MartinLogan Dynamo 400
    Brand SVS MartinLogan
    Speaker Type Powered Subwoofer Powered Subwoofer
    Max Amplifier Output 325 watts 75 watts
    Frequency Response 20-270 Hz 30-200 Hz
    Amplifier
    Watts RMS (Continuous) 325-watt RMS 75-watt RMS
    Watts Peak (Max) 820-watt RMS n/a
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 12" 8"
    Woofer Composition Fiber-composite Polypropylene
    Tweeter Size - -
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Firing Direction front bottom
    Physical Specs
    Height 343.0mm (13.5") 385.0mm (15.2")
    Width 331.0mm (13") 339.0mm (13.3")
    Depth 402.0mm (15.8") 388.0mm (15.3")
    Weight 11.82kg (26lbs) 12.95kg (28.5lbs)
    Enclosure Acoustic Suspension Bass reflex
    Available Colors Black,White Satin Black
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 3 Yrs w/ Registration
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 3 Yrs w/ Registration

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