In this review, we will be comparing SB-3000 and SB-4000, 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-3000 and SVS SB-4000 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-3000and SVS SB-4000 have a single woofer setup however the SVS SB-3000's woofer is 13-inch whereas the SVS SB-4000 features a 13.5-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SB-3000 has a frequency range of 18-270 Hz whereas SB-4000 has a frequency range of 19-310 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the SB-3000 can go slightly deeper then the SB-4000's min frequency of 19Hz.
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-3000 and SVS SB-4000 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-3000's and SVS SB-4000's external dimensions. 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) whereas SVS SB-4000 has external dimensions of 466.0 x 453.0 x 532.0mm (18-5/16 x 17-13/16 x 20-15/16inch).
SVS SB-4000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 65mm wider, 69mm taller and 79mm deeper than SVS SB-3000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS SB-3000 and SVS SB-4000 in scale.
Comparison image of SVS SB-3000 and SVS SB-4000 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-3000 is approximately 1757.6cm2 / 272.4inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-4000 is approximately 2410.0cm2 / 373.6inch2. The SB-3000 requires 27% less surface area than the SB-4000 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-3000 weighs 24.77kg / 54.5lbs and the SVS SB-4000 weighs 46.50kg / 102.3lbs. This makes the SB-4000 88% heavier than the SB-3000.
Here is a comparison of how SB-3000 and SB-4000'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-3000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SB-3000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Quick Start Guide
- Online Registration Card
- SVS brochure
What's in the Box of SVS SB-4000?
Here are the items that come with the SB-4000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 4 Elastomer feet
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
19 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
397mm
vs
466mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1757cm2
vs
2410cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1800USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Woofer Size |
13.5 inches
vs
13 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
310 Hz
vs
270 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
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-4000 needs about 37% more floor area. SVS SB-4000 stands 79mm further into the room. SVS SB-4000 is 69mm taller.
| General |
SVS SB-3000 |
SVS SB-4000 |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
1200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
18-270 Hz |
19-310 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
1200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
2500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13" |
13.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Composite/Glass Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
397.0mm (15.6") |
466.0mm (18.3") |
| Width |
388.0mm (15.3") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Depth |
453.0mm (17.8") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
24.77kg (54.5lbs) |
46.50kg (102.3lbs) |
| 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (18Hz vs 19Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS SB-4000 has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 800W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (13" against 13.5"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (app control). |
| 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-3000 is about 38% 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-3000 costs less - $1,100 against $1,800, about 39% less. |
A SVS SB-3000 B SVS SB-4000
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-4000 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 64% more. SVS SB-3000 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $1,100 each, two SVS SB-3000 cost about $2,200 against $1,800 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - SVS SB-3000 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.