In this review, we will be comparing SB-4000 and SB-1000 Pro, 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-4000 and SVS SB-1000 Pro 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-4000and SVS SB-1000 Pro have a single woofer setup however the SVS SB-4000's woofer is 13.5-inch whereas the SVS SB-1000 Pro features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SB-4000 has a frequency range of 19-310 Hz whereas SB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 20-270 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the SB-4000 can go slightly deeper then the SB-1000 Pro's min frequency of 20Hz.
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-4000 and SVS SB-1000 Pro 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-4000's and SVS SB-1000 Pro's external dimensions. 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) whereas 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).
SVS SB-4000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 122mm wider, 123mm taller and 130mm deeper than SVS SB-1000 Pro.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of SVS SB-4000 and SVS SB-1000 Pro in scale.
Comparison image of SVS SB-4000 and SVS SB-1000 Pro 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-4000 is approximately 2410.0cm2 / 373.6inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-1000 Pro is approximately 1330.6cm2 / 206.2inch2. The SB-4000 requires 81% more surface area than the SB-1000 Pro 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-4000 weighs 46.50kg / 102.3lbs and the SVS SB-1000 Pro weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the SB-4000 293% heavier than the SB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how SB-4000 and SB-1000 Pro'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-4000?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SB-4000:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 4 Elastomer feet
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of SVS SB-1000 Pro?
Here are the items that come with the SB-1000 Pro:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Brochure
- SVS Support Information
 Woofer Size |
13.5 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
310 Hz
vs
270 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
343mm
vs
466mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1330cm2
vs
2410cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
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 |
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 81% more floor area. SVS SB-4000 stands 130mm further into the room. SVS SB-4000 is 123mm taller.
| General |
SVS SB-4000 |
SVS SB-1000 Pro |
| Brand |
SVS |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1200 watts |
325 watts |
| Frequency Response |
19-310 Hz |
20-270 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
325-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
820-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13.5" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite/Glass Fiber |
Fiber-composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
466.0mm (18.3") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
453.0mm (17.8") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
| Weight |
46.50kg (102.3lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black,White |
| 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 (19Hz vs 20Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS SB-4000 has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 325W RMS, about 5.7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS SB-4000 moves more air: 13.5" against 12" is 1.27x the cone area, not the 1.13x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| 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). |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | SVS SB-1000 Pro 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-1000 Pro 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 Pro is about 59% 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 | B | SVS SB-1000 Pro costs less - $600 against $1,800, about 67% less. |
A SVS SB-4000 B SVS SB-1000 Pro
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 3x the price. SVS SB-1000 Pro 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 Pro 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 $600 each, two SVS SB-1000 Pro cost about $1,200 against $1,800 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.