When it comes to adding deep, impactful bass to your home theater or music system, today's subwoofers offer some fascinating choices. Let's explore two popular but very different approaches - the traditional powerhouse Klipsch RP-1400SW ($1,399) and the innovative compact SVS 3000 Micro ($899).
Subwoofers have one job: reproducing the lowest frequencies in music and movies that regular speakers can't handle. These frequencies, typically below 80 Hz, give you that visceral feeling when explosions rock a movie scene or a bass drum kicks in your favorite song.
Today's subwoofers use sophisticated digital processing and efficient amplifiers to produce deeper, cleaner bass than ever before. But manufacturers take different approaches to achieve this goal.
The Klipsch RP-1400SW follows a traditional approach with its large cabinet (21.3" x 20" x 25.7") housing a single 14-inch driver. Released in 2021 as part of Klipsch's Reference Premiere lineup, it uses a front-firing port (a tube that helps extend bass response) and a proven design that prioritizes maximum output.
In contrast, the SVS 3000 Micro, launched in early 2021, takes a radically different approach. It's basically a 12-inch cube with two 8-inch drivers mounted on opposite sides. These drivers move in perfect opposition, canceling out vibrations that would normally cause cabinet shake. This clever design allows for placement in spaces where traditional subwoofers wouldn't fit.
The Klipsch can reach slightly lower frequencies (16Hz vs 23Hz), though both are impressive for their respective sizes. In real-world use, this difference is mainly noticeable during specific movie effects or pipe organ music.
The Klipsch's larger driver moves more air, which can create more impact during explosive movie scenes. However, the SVS's sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP) and sealed design often produce tighter, more controlled bass. This makes it particularly good for music, where accuracy is more important than maximum output.
While raw power numbers can be misleading, they tell an interesting story here. The SVS packs an 800-watt continuous/2500-watt peak amplifier into its tiny frame, while the Klipsch uses a 500-watt continuous/1000-watt peak design. The SVS's higher power rating helps it achieve impressive output despite its smaller drivers.
This is where things get really interesting. The SVS includes a smartphone app that lets you adjust numerous parameters:
The Klipsch takes a simpler approach with basic knobs for volume, crossover, and phase. While this is perfectly functional, it's less convenient for experimenting with different settings.
In a dedicated home theater, both subwoofers can excel, but for different reasons. The Klipsch's higher maximum output makes it ideal for larger rooms (over 400 square feet) where you want to feel every explosion and car crash. Its front-firing design works well when placed near the screen.
The SVS, while not as powerful, offers incredibly clean bass that can actually sound more impressive in small to medium rooms. Its compact size allows for creative placement options, and the app makes it easy to optimize performance for different types of content.
For music, the SVS often has an edge thanks to its sealed design and sophisticated processing. Bass notes start and stop with excellent precision, making it great for complex bass lines in jazz or electronic music. The Klipsch, while still musical, can sometimes sound slightly looser due to its ported design.
At $899, the SVS 3000 Micro represents excellent value, offering:
The Klipsch RP-1400SW at $1,399 costs more but delivers:
Since their 2021 releases, both models have received firmware updates improving their performance. The SVS, in particular, has seen several app updates adding features and refinements to its control interface.
Your choice should primarily depend on:
For most users, the SVS 3000 Micro represents the better value, offering sophisticated technology and impressive performance in a compact package. Its app control and placement flexibility make it exceptionally user-friendly.
However, if you have a larger room and want maximum impact for movie watching, the Klipsch RP-1400SW delivers the goods with its traditional design and higher output capabilities.
Both represent different approaches to solving the same problem, and both do it well. Your specific needs and room constraints should guide your final choice.
Klipsch RP-1400SW ($1,399) |
SVS 3000 Micro ($899) |
|---|---|
| Size - Critical for room placement and WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) | |
| Large: 21.3" x 20" x 25.7" (requires significant space) | Compact: 11" x 12" x 12" (extremely placement friendly) |
| Bass Extension - Determines how low frequencies can go for movie effects | |
| 16 Hz (exceptional for theatrical effects) | 23 Hz (still impressive for size) |
| Amplifier Power - Impacts maximum clean output capability | |
| 500W RMS/1000W peak (plenty for most users) | 800W RMS/2500W peak (surprisingly powerful for size) |
| Driver Configuration - Affects how sub performs in room | |
| Single 14" front-firing (traditional approach) | Dual 8" opposing drivers (cancels vibration) |
| Control Interface - Important for fine-tuning and adjustments | |
| Basic manual knobs (simple but limited) | Smartphone app with extensive options (superior control) |
| Port Design - Impacts bass character and placement flexibility | |
| Front-firing port (needs space to breathe) | Sealed design (more placement options) |
| Room Size Suitability - Match to your space | |
| Best for large rooms >400 sq ft | Ideal for small/medium rooms <400 sq ft |
| DSP Features - Affects integration and sound quality | |
| Basic crossover and phase controls | Advanced DSP with room correction and presets (worth the investment) |
The SVS 3000 Micro is ideal for small rooms due to its compact size and sealed design. The Klipsch RP-1400SW may be too powerful and physically large for smaller spaces.
The Klipsch RP-1400SW reaches lower frequencies (16Hz vs 23Hz), providing slightly deeper bass extension for movie effects and organ music.
The SVS 3000 Micro offers easier setup with its smartphone app and advanced room correction features. The Klipsch has basic manual controls that are simple but less precise.
Both can handle movies well, but the Klipsch RP-1400SW delivers more impact for large home theaters, while the SVS 3000 Micro provides clean, controlled bass better suited to small/medium rooms.
The SVS 3000 Micro typically performs better for music due to its sealed design and precise control, offering tighter bass response than the Klipsch.
At $1,399, the Klipsch RP-1400SW is mainly worth the premium if you need maximum output for a large room. The $899 SVS 3000 Micro offers better value for most users.
The SVS 3000 Micro has higher rated power (800W RMS/2500W peak) compared to the Klipsch (500W RMS/1000W peak), though real-world performance depends on multiple factors.
The SVS 3000 Micro offers more flexible placement options due to its compact size and sealed design. The Klipsch RP-1400SW requires more careful placement due to its ported design and larger size.
The SVS 3000 Micro is better suited for apartments due to its smaller size and more controlled bass output, which is less likely to disturb neighbors.
Yes, both the Klipsch RP-1400SW and SVS 3000 Micro are compatible with standard home theater receivers through their line-level/LFE inputs.
The Klipsch RP-1400SW comes with a 5-year warranty, while the SVS 3000 Micro includes a 5-year warranty with excellent customer support.
The Klipsch RP-1400SW supports optional wireless connection with their WA-2 kit, while the SVS 3000 Micro can use SVS's SoundPath wireless adapter (sold separately).
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: avsforum.com - audioadvice.com - avsforum.com - audioholics.com - crutchfield.com - worldwidestereo.com - bestbuy.com - walts.com - klipsch.ca - assets.klipsch.com - avsforum.com - svsound.com - avsforum.com - enjoythemusic.com - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - musicdirect.com - svsound.com - svsound.com
