In this review, we will be comparing SB-1000 and SB-3000, 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 SB-1000 and SVS SB-3000 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 SB-1000and SVS SB-3000 have a single woofer setup however the SVS SB-1000's woofer is 12-inch whereas the SVS SB-3000 features a 13-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SB-1000 has a frequency range of 24-260 Hz whereas SB-3000 has a frequency range of 18-270 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the SB-3000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SB-1000's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 SB-1000 and SVS SB-3000 have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. 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 SB-1000's and SVS SB-3000's external dimensions. SVS SB-1000 has external dimensions of 343.0 x 332.0 x 397.0mm (13-1/2 x 13-1/16 x 15-5/8inch) whereas SVS SB-3000 has external dimensions of 397.0 x 388.0 x 453.0mm (15-5/8 x 15-1/4 x 17-13/16inch).
SVS SB-3000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 56mm wider, 54mm taller and 56mm deeper than SVS SB-1000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS SB-1000 and SVS SB-3000 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS SB-1000 and SVS SB-3000 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 is approximately 1318.0cm2 / 204.3inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-3000 is approximately 1757.6cm2 / 272.4inch2. The SB-1000 requires 25% less surface area than the SB-3000 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 SB-1000 weighs 12.27kg / 27lbs and the SVS SB-3000 weighs 24.77kg / 54.5lbs. This makes the SB-3000 102% heavier than the SB-1000.
Here is a comparison of how SB-1000 and SB-3000'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 SB-1000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SB-1000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of SVS SB-3000?
Here are the items that come with the SB-3000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Quick Start Guide
- Online Registration Card
- SVS brochure
 Height |
343mm
vs
397mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1318cm2
vs
1757cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
500USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
270 Hz
vs
260 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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 SB-3000 needs about 33% more floor area. SVS SB-3000 stands 56mm further into the room. SVS SB-3000 is 54mm taller.
| General |
SVS SB-1000 |
SVS SB-3000 |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
800 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-260 Hz |
18-270 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
2500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
13" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
50-160 Hz and 80 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
343.0mm (13.5") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Width |
332.0mm (13.1") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Depth |
397.0mm (15.6") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Weight |
12.27kg (27lbs) |
24.77kg (54.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| 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 SB range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | SVS SB-3000 goes deeper - 18Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS SB-3000 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 300W RMS, about 4.3dB 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 13"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | SVS SB-1000 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only SVS SB-3000 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | SVS SB-1000 is about 35% 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 | A | SVS SB-1000 costs less - $500 against $1,100, about 55% less. |
A SVS SB-1000 B SVS SB-3000
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 SB-3000 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 120% more. SVS SB-1000 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, SVS SB-1000 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $500 each, two SVS SB-1000 cost about $1,000 against $1,100 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.