When it comes to adding deep bass to your home audio system, the $749 Klipsch RP-1000SW and $739 SVS PB-2000 Pro represent two different approaches to a similar goal. Both aim to deliver room-filling bass, but they go about it in distinctly different ways. Let's dive into what makes each unique and help you decide which might work better for your setup.
Modern subwoofers have evolved significantly from the boomy boxes of the past. Today's designs use sophisticated digital processing, efficient amplifiers, and advanced materials to produce cleaner, more accurate bass. A good subwoofer should seamlessly blend with your main speakers while adding depth that you can both hear and feel.
The key improvements we've seen in recent years include:
The Klipsch RP-1000SW, released in 2022, follows a traditional approach focused on musical performance. Its 10-inch Cerametallic woofer (a lightweight, rigid cone material) is powered by a 300-watt RMS amplifier. The front-ported design helps with placement flexibility, as it can work closer to walls without causing unwanted resonances.
In contrast, the SVS PB-2000 Pro, launched in 2021, represents a more technical approach. It uses a larger 12-inch driver powered by a 550-watt RMS amplifier with sophisticated DSP control. The "PB" stands for ported box, and its dual-port design helps it reach deeper bass frequencies - down to 16Hz compared to the Klipsch's 19Hz lower limit.
Both subwoofers handle music well, but with different characters. The Klipsch offers tighter, more rhythmic bass that works especially well with rock, jazz, and acoustic music. Its quicker response makes bass lines easy to follow, and it never sounds muddy or undefined.
The SVS digs deeper and can reproduce pipe organ and synthetic bass with more authority. Its extra power becomes apparent on dynamic peaks in classical music or electronic tracks. While it can match the Klipsch's speed on most material, it really shines when asked to reproduce extremely low frequencies.
This is where the differences become more pronounced. The SVS PB-2000 Pro's additional power and deeper extension make it particularly well-suited for modern movie soundtracks. When a spacecraft rumbles past or an explosion rocks the scene, you feel it in your chest. The DSP control helps prevent distortion even at high volumes.
The Klipsch performs admirably in small to medium rooms but might struggle to pressurize larger spaces. It handles action movies well enough, though it can't quite match the SVS's ability to reproduce those lowest octaves that give movies their physical impact.
The Klipsch takes a straightforward approach to setup:
The SVS offers more sophisticated options:
Despite similar pricing, these subwoofers target different users. The Klipsch offers excellent performance for music lovers in smaller spaces, while the SVS provides more features and capability for home theater enthusiasts or those wanting maximum flexibility.
The SVS's smartphone app and room correction features would typically add hundreds to the price, making it an exceptional value at $739. The Klipsch, while slightly more expensive at $749, justifies its price through build quality and straightforward reliability.
Choose the Klipsch RP-1000SW if:
Go with the SVS PB-2000 Pro if:
Both companies have strong reputations for reliability and customer service. SVS offers a 5-year warranty and their app receives regular updates with new features. Klipsch's 5-year warranty matches this, and their simpler design means less can go wrong over time.
While both subwoofers deliver excellent performance for their price, they serve different needs. The SVS PB-2000 Pro offers more features and capability at a similar price point, making it the better value for most users unless specific size constraints or musical preferences favor the Klipsch.
Remember that room acoustics play a huge role in subwoofer performance. The best subwoofer is often the one that works best in your specific space and setup. Consider trying both if possible, as personal listening is the ultimate test.
| $749 Klipsch RP-1000SW | $739 SVS PB-2000 Pro |
|---|---|
| Driver Size - Larger drivers generally produce deeper bass with less distortion | |
| 10-inch Cerametallic | 12-inch High-excursion |
| Amplifier Power - Higher power enables louder clean output and better handling of peaks | |
| 300W RMS / 600W Peak | 550W RMS / 1500W Peak |
| Frequency Response - Lower numbers mean deeper bass, critical for movie effects | |
| 19-131 Hz (±3 dB) | 16-290 Hz |
| Cabinet Design - Affects placement flexibility and bass character | |
| Front-ported, compact design (better near walls) | Dual-ported, larger cabinet (needs more space) |
| Control Features - More control options enable better room integration | |
| Basic knobs, optional wireless adapter | Smartphone app, DSP, room correction, multiple presets |
| Size (H x W x D) - Consider your available space | |
| 15 x 16.7 x 25" (more placement options) | 20.9 x 17.3 x 23.6" (requires more space) |
| Weight - Heavier usually means better cabinet construction | |
| 56.7 lbs | 65 lbs |
| Special Features - Additional capabilities can improve performance | |
| Basic phase control, crossover adjustment | Parametric EQ, room compensation, custom presets |
| Best Use Case - Choose based on your primary listening | |
| Music-focused, smaller rooms | Home theater, larger rooms, maximum performance |
The $739 SVS PB-2000 Pro is superior for home theater use due to its deeper bass extension (16Hz vs 19Hz) and higher power output (550W RMS vs 300W RMS). It handles movie effects with more authority and impact than the $749 Klipsch RP-1000SW.
The Klipsch RP-1000SW is more suitable for small rooms due to its compact size and front-port design. The SVS PB-2000 Pro might be overkill in spaces under 200 square feet.
The Klipsch RP-1000SW offers wireless capability through an optional WA-2 adapter. The SVS PB-2000 Pro requires a wired connection.
The Klipsch RP-1000SW has simpler controls and straightforward setup. The SVS PB-2000 Pro offers more advanced setup options through its smartphone app, which might intimidate beginners but allows for better fine-tuning.
At nearly identical prices, the SVS PB-2000 Pro offers more features and performance, making it the better value unless space is limited or simplicity is preferred.
The Klipsch RP-1000SW excels with music, offering tighter, more rhythmic bass. The SVS PB-2000 Pro provides deeper extension but might be too powerful for purely musical applications.
Both subwoofers work with any modern AV receiver with a subwoofer output. No special requirements are needed for either model.
The SVS PB-2000 Pro can play significantly louder with its 550W amplifier compared to the Klipsch's 300W, especially during dynamic movie scenes.
Both offer excellent build quality, but the SVS PB-2000 Pro's heavier weight (65 lbs vs 56.7 lbs) suggests more robust cabinet construction.
The Klipsch RP-1000SW's front-port design makes it more flexible for near-wall placement. The SVS PB-2000 Pro needs more breathing room for optimal performance.
The Klipsch RP-1000SW is better suited for apartment living due to its smaller size and more controlled output, making it easier to avoid disturbing neighbors.
The SVS PB-2000 Pro is notably superior for action movies, offering deeper bass extension and higher output capability that better reproduces explosive effects and dramatic soundtracks than the Klipsch RP-1000SW.
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: hometheaterreview.com - audioadvice.com - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - greentoe.com - klipsch.ca - walmart.com - audiolab.com - avnirvana.com - dreamediaav.com - audioholics.com - spacehifi.com.au - hometheaterreview.com - audiosciencereview.com - content.abt.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - svsound.com - crutchfield.com
