When it comes to adding deep bass to a sound system without dominating your room, compact subwoofers have come a long way. Today we're comparing two interesting options: the budget-friendly Klipsch Flexus SUB 100 ($239) and the premium SVS 3000 Micro ($799). While they share similar compact dimensions, these subs take quite different approaches to delivering impactful bass in smaller spaces.
The subwoofer market has evolved significantly in recent years, with manufacturers finding clever ways to extract impressive performance from smaller cabinets. The traditional trade-off between size and deep bass capability is being challenged by innovative designs and advanced digital processing.
The SVS 3000 Micro, released in 2021, showcases what's possible at the premium end with its dual-opposed driver design and sophisticated DSP (Digital Signal Processing). Meanwhile, the newer Flexus SUB 100 represents Klipsch's fresh take on affordable wireless bass, developed in collaboration with Onkyo's engineering team.
The SVS employs two 8-inch aluminum drivers mounted on opposite sides of the cabinet. This arrangement, where the drivers move in perfect synchronization but opposite directions, cleverly cancels out cabinet vibrations that could color the sound. It's an elegant solution that helps this compact sub punch well above its weight class.
The Klipsch takes a more traditional approach with a single 10-inch paper cone driver. While simpler, this design still benefits from modern engineering, using a long-throw motor system (meaning the driver can move further in and out) to generate impressive output for its size.
Here's where we see the biggest technical gap between these products. The 3000 Micro packs an 800-watt RMS amplifier with 2500-watt peaks, managed by a sophisticated 50 MHz DSP chip. This processing power allows for precise control over the drivers and enables extensive fine-tuning options through the smartphone app.
The Flexus SUB 100 uses a more modest 80-watt RMS Class D amplifier. While this might seem like a huge difference on paper, it's worth noting that wattage numbers alone don't tell the whole story - driver sensitivity and cabinet design play major roles in real-world output capability.
Both subwoofers deliver impressive low-frequency extension for their size:
While the SVS has a slight edge in measured extension, both will handle most music and movie content effectively. The real difference shows up in how they handle these lowest frequencies - the SVS maintains better control and clarity at the extremes.
This is where the price difference becomes more apparent. The 3000 Micro's sophisticated design and powerful amplification allow it to play louder without strain, especially in the 30-50Hz range that's crucial for movie impact. The dual-driver design helps it maintain composure during demanding scenes that might cause a simpler sub to struggle.
The Flexus SUB 100 performs admirably for its price point but shows its limitations sooner. It's perfectly capable in a small to medium-sized room for most content, but home theater enthusiasts might notice it running out of steam during intense action sequences.
For music, both subs can integrate well with main speakers, but they show their character differences:
The 3000 Micro exhibits exceptional control and detail. Bass notes start and stop with precision, making it excellent for complex musical passages. The aluminum drivers and sophisticated processing help it maintain clarity even at higher volumes.
The Flexus SUB 100's paper cone driver delivers a slightly warmer character that some might prefer with music, though it doesn't match the SVS's precision. It's particularly good with rock and pop music where extreme low-frequency extension isn't as critical.
The Flexus SUB 100 shines in wireless convenience, using Klipsch's proprietary wireless system that promises low latency and reliable connection. This makes placement much more flexible, though you'll need a compatible Klipsch soundbar to use this feature. It also includes a traditional wired connection option.
The 3000 Micro is wired-only but offers more sophisticated connection options and control features. The smartphone app provides extensive adjustment capabilities that audiophiles will appreciate.
Both subs include basic controls for level and crossover frequency, but the SVS takes things further with its app-based room tuning capabilities. This can make a significant difference in achieving optimal performance in challenging rooms.
The Flexus allows pairing two subwoofers, which can help achieve more even bass response across multiple listening positions - a feature typically found in more expensive systems.
The price gap between these models is substantial, and both represent different value propositions:
The Flexus SUB 100 offers impressive bang-for-buck, especially if you're already investing in a Klipsch Flexus soundbar system. Its wireless capability and dual-sub option provide flexibility that's rare at this price point.
The 3000 Micro justifies its premium pricing through superior engineering, build quality, and performance capabilities. It's built to satisfy more demanding users and larger spaces, though you're paying considerably more for these advantages.
Choose the Flexus SUB 100 if:
Choose the 3000 Micro if:
The decision ultimately comes down to your priorities and budget. The Flexus SUB 100 represents excellent value for most users, especially in smaller spaces. However, if you're building a serious home theater or have a larger room, the 3000 Micro's additional capabilities and performance make it worth the investment.
Remember, either sub will provide a significant upgrade over TV speakers or small satellite systems - it's just a question of how far you want to take your bass performance and what you're willing to spend to get there.
| Klipsch Flexus SUB 100 ($239) | SVS 3000 Micro ($799) |
|---|---|
| Driver Configuration - Affects bass quality and cabinet vibration | |
| Single 10" paper cone woofer | Dual opposing 8" aluminum drivers |
| Amplifier Power - Determines maximum output capability | |
| 80W RMS / 160W Peak | 800W RMS / 2500W Peak |
| Frequency Response - Shows how deep the bass extends | |
| 26-250 Hz (±3dB) | 23-240 Hz (±3dB) |
| Size - Important for room placement | |
| 13.2" x 13.3" x 13.9" (20.7 lbs) | 10.9" x 11.7" x 12.2" (42.5 lbs) |
| Connectivity - Affects setup flexibility | |
| Wireless (with Flexus soundbar) + RCA input | RCA inputs only |
| Control Options - Important for fine-tuning | |
| Basic remote/app controls via soundbar | Advanced app with DSP, custom presets |
| Cabinet Design - Impacts sound quality and vibration | |
| Standard MDF sealed enclosure | Reinforced MDF with dual steel mesh grilles |
| Multiple Sub Support - Helps achieve even bass response | |
| Can pair two subs wirelessly | Single sub only |
| DSP Features - Controls bass quality and integration | |
| Basic crossover and level adjustment | 50 MHz DSP with advanced room correction |
| Warranty - Indicates manufacturer confidence | |
| 2 years | 5 years |
The Klipsch Flexus SUB 100 ($239) is ideal for small rooms due to its compact size and sufficient power. While the SVS 3000 Micro ($799) also works well in small spaces, it may be more than needed for modest-sized rooms.
The price difference is $560. The Flexus SUB 100 costs $239, while the 3000 Micro is priced at $799.
The SVS 3000 Micro offers superior movie performance with deeper bass extension and higher output capability. However, the Flexus SUB 100 still provides satisfactory performance for casual movie watching in smaller rooms.
Only the Klipsch Flexus SUB 100 offers wireless connectivity, but it requires a compatible Klipsch Flexus soundbar. The SVS 3000 Micro requires a wired connection.
The SVS 3000 Micro reaches slightly deeper (23Hz vs 26Hz) and maintains better control at lowest frequencies compared to the Flexus SUB 100, though the difference is subtle for most users.
The Flexus SUB 100 offers simpler setup, especially when paired with a Klipsch soundbar. The 3000 Micro requires more initial setup but provides more fine-tuning options.
The Flexus SUB 100 allows pairing of two units for better bass distribution. The SVS 3000 Micro is designed for single-unit use only.
The SVS 3000 Micro offers more comprehensive app control with advanced DSP settings. The Flexus SUB 100 has basic app controls through the Klipsch Connect Plus app.
The SVS 3000 Micro offers more precise, detailed bass reproduction for music. The Flexus SUB 100 provides good musical performance but with less refinement.
The SVS 3000 Micro comes with a 5-year warranty, while the Flexus SUB 100 offers a 2-year warranty.
The SVS 3000 Micro is significantly more powerful with 800W RMS compared to the Flexus SUB 100's 80W RMS.
Both are suitable for apartments due to their compact size, but the Flexus SUB 100 might be more appropriate due to its lower power output, which is less likely to disturb neighbors.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: crutchfield.com - listenup.com - bestbuy.com - forum.planetofthevapes.co.uk - cnet.com - youtube.com - klipsch.com - av-connection.com - greentoe.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - svsound.com - avsforum.com - enjoythemusic.com - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - musicdirect.com - svsound.com - svsound.com
