In this review, we will be comparing SB 5000 R Evolution and SW-15, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and Wharfedale. 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 5000 R Evolution and Wharfedale SW-15 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 SB 5000 R Evolutionand Wharfedale SW-15 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 15" drivers.
Frequency Response
SB 5000 R Evolution has a frequency range of 17-280 Hz whereas SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the SB 5000 R Evolution can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SW-15'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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
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 5000 R Evolution's and Wharfedale SW-15's external dimensions. SVS SB 5000 R Evolution has external dimensions of 465.1 x 452.4 x 495.3mm () whereas Wharfedale SW-15 has external dimensions of 570.0 x 493.0 x 615.0mm (22-7/16inch x 19-3/8inch x 24-3/16inch).
Wharfedale SW-15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40.6mm wider, 104.9mm taller and 119.7mm deeper than SVS SB 5000 R Evolution.
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 5000 R Evolution is approximately 2240.7cm2 / 347.3inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale SW-15 is approximately 3032.0cm2 / 470.0inch2. The SB 5000 R Evolution requires 26% less surface area than the SW-15 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 5000 R Evolution weighs 46.31kg / 101.9lbs and the Wharfedale SW-15 weighs 31.57kg / 69.5lbs. This makes the SB 5000 R Evolution 47% heavier than the SW-15.
Here is a comparison of how SB 5000 R Evolution and SW-15's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
280 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
465mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2240cm2
vs
3032cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
2000USD
|
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.
Wharfedale SW-15 needs about 35% more floor area. Wharfedale SW-15 stands 120mm further into the room. Wharfedale SW-15 is 105mm taller.
| General |
SVS SB 5000 R Evolution |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
| Brand |
SVS |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
17-280 Hz |
30-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
2000-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
5000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
465.1mm (18.3") |
570.0mm (22.4") |
| Width |
452.4mm (17.8") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Depth |
495.3mm (19.5") |
615.0mm (24.2") |
| Weight |
46.31kg (101.9lbs) |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS SB 5000 R Evolution goes deeper - 17Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS SB 5000 R Evolution has the bigger amplifier - 2000W against 400W RMS, about 7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (15" against 15"). |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS SB 5000 R Evolution is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Wharfedale SW-15 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | SVS SB 5000 R Evolution is about 40% 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. |
| Warranty | A | SVS SB 5000 R Evolution carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale SW-15 costs less - $1,199 against $2,000, about 40% less. |
A SVS SB 5000 R Evolution B Wharfedale SW-15
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?
The usual trade-off: SVS SB 5000 R Evolution measures better, Wharfedale SW-15 costs about 40% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Wharfedale SW-15 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, SVS SB 5000 R Evolution is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $1,199 each, two Wharfedale SW-15 cost about $2,398 against $2,000 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.