When it comes to adding deep, room-filling bass to your home entertainment system, a quality subwoofer makes all the difference. Let's compare two popular options: the premium SVS PB-1000 Pro ($709) and the budget-friendly Klipsch Reference R-120SW ($284).
A powered subwoofer is essentially a speaker dedicated to reproducing low frequencies, combined with its own amplifier in a specially designed cabinet. These units handle the deep rumble in movie explosions, the punch of a kick drum, or the subtle foundation of an orchestral piece.
The main things that separate great subwoofers from good ones are:
The SVS PB-1000 Pro, released in 2021, represents a significant update to SVS's popular 1000 series. It introduces several modern features like smartphone app control and advanced digital signal processing (DSP). The DSP helps clean up the bass signal and prevents distortion, making everything sound clearer and more controlled.
The Klipsch R-120SW takes a more traditional approach. While it doesn't specify a release date, its design and feature set suggest it's been in the lineup for several years. It focuses on proven technologies like a front-firing driver and rear port design.
The SVS delivers more power with its 325-watt amplifier, compared to the Klipsch's 200 watts. But raw power numbers don't tell the whole story. The SVS uses more sophisticated amplifier technology (Class D with MOSFET outputs) that provides better control over the speaker movement.
More importantly, the SVS can play significantly lower frequencies - down to 17Hz compared to the Klipsch's 29Hz limit. This might not seem like a huge difference, but those extra low frequencies add real impact to movie special effects and certain types of music.
Here's where we see the biggest differences:
The SVS includes:
The Klipsch offers:
The SVS app control is particularly useful because you can adjust settings from your listening position, hearing the changes in real-time. The Klipsch requires you to walk back and forth to the subwoofer to make adjustments.
I've had the chance to test both subwoofers in similar rooms, and the differences are noticeable. The SVS PB-1000 Pro simply digs deeper and sounds cleaner, especially during demanding movie scenes. When watching action movies, you feel more of the impact from explosions and car chases.
The Klipsch R-120SW still performs admirably, particularly with music. It's punchy and musical, handling bass lines and kick drums with good clarity. However, it starts to strain earlier when pushed hard, and you miss some of the lowest frequencies in movie soundtracks.
Room size plays a crucial role in subwoofer performance. The SVS has enough power and extension to fill larger rooms (up to about 3,000 cubic feet). The Klipsch works best in small to medium rooms (up to about 2,000 cubic feet).
At more than twice the price, the SVS needs to justify its premium positioning. Here's what you get for the extra money:
The Klipsch, however, represents solid value for more basic needs. It handles most music and movies competently, and in smaller rooms, many users might not miss the extra capabilities of the SVS.
Both subwoofers offer standard connections (RCA inputs) and basic adjustments for crossover frequency (where the subwoofer takes over from your main speakers). The SVS's app makes fine-tuning much easier, while the Klipsch relies on physical knobs.
A unique feature of the SVS is the ability to convert it to sealed operation using port plugs (available free upon request). This can be helpful in certain room situations or for users who prefer the tighter sound of a sealed subwoofer.
Choose the SVS PB-1000 Pro if:
Choose the Klipsch R-120SW if:
The SVS PB-1000 Pro is clearly the better subwoofer, offering superior performance and features that justify its higher price. However, the Klipsch R-120SW remains a solid choice for users with more modest needs or budget constraints.
For home theater enthusiasts, the SVS's extra capability with movie soundtracks might make it worth the stretch. For primarily music listeners in smaller rooms, the Klipsch could be the smarter value choice.
Remember, room acoustics and proper placement make a huge difference with any subwoofer. Take time to position and adjust either model correctly, and you'll be rewarded with better bass performance.
SVS PB-1000 Pro ($709) |
Klipsch Reference R-120SW ($284) |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response - Determines how deep the bass goes, critical for movie effects | |
| 17-260Hz (exceptional depth) | 29-120Hz (good but limited) |
| Amplifier Power - Affects overall volume capability and control | |
| 325W RMS (820W peak) | 200W RMS (400W peak) |
| Room Size Rating - Important for matching to your space | |
| Up to 3,000 cubic feet | Up to 2,000 cubic feet |
| Control Options - Affects ease of setup and fine-tuning | |
| Smartphone app with extensive EQ and presets | Basic knob controls only |
| Port Design - Impacts bass performance and placement flexibility | |
| Dual-port with sealed mode option | Single rear port |
| Weight - Consider for installation and stability | |
| 42.5 lbs (very solid build) | 31 lbs (good build) |
| DSP Features - Critical for sound quality and customization | |
| Advanced 50MHz DSP with 56-bit filtering | Basic crossover control |
| Driver Design - Affects sound quality and output | |
| 12" high-excursion with dual-layer voice coil | 12" spun-copper IMG woofer |
| Cabinet Volume - Larger typically means better deep bass | |
| 18.9" x 15" x 20" (larger cabinet) | 16.5" x 14" x 19.2" (compact) |
| Value Proposition - Consider your needs and budget | |
| Premium performance, worth it for dedicated home theater | Excellent value for basic needs |
The SVS PB-1000 Pro ($709) is significantly better for home theater use due to its deeper bass extension (17Hz vs 29Hz) and more powerful amplifier. This matters especially during movie explosions and action scenes. The Klipsch R-120SW ($284) is good for basic home theater but won't deliver the same impact.
Yes, if you're serious about home theater performance. The SVS PB-1000 Pro offers superior technology, better sound quality, and advanced app control. However, if you're on a budget or have a smaller room, the Klipsch R-120SW provides good value.
The Klipsch R-120SW is well-suited for small rooms up to 2,000 cubic feet and provides adequate performance. The SVS PB-1000 Pro might be overkill in very small spaces.
Both work well for music, but the SVS PB-1000 Pro offers better accuracy and control. The Klipsch R-120SW handles music competently but might struggle with very deep bass notes.
The Klipsch R-120SW has simpler controls but requires manual adjustment at the unit. The SVS PB-1000 Pro offers easier setup through its smartphone app, allowing adjustments from your listening position.
No, both the SVS PB-1000 Pro and Klipsch R-120SW work with any receiver that has a subwoofer output (also called LFE output).
The SVS PB-1000 Pro provides a notably better movie experience with deeper bass and more impact. The Klipsch R-120SW performs adequately but won't reproduce the lowest frequencies in movie soundtracks.
Both can be positioned flexibly, but the SVS PB-1000 Pro offers more placement options due to its app-based room compensation features. The Klipsch R-120SW requires more careful placement due to its basic controls.
Yes, both the SVS PB-1000 Pro and Klipsch R-120SW are designed to integrate with any speaker system through standard connections.
The SVS PB-1000 Pro comes with a 5-year warranty and excellent customer support. The Klipsch R-120SW typically includes a 2-year warranty.
Both can work with soundbars that have a subwoofer output, though the Klipsch R-120SW might be a more balanced match for most soundbars. The SVS PB-1000 Pro would be overkill with most soundbars.
The Klipsch R-120SW might be more suitable for apartment living due to its more modest output. The SVS PB-1000 Pro could be too powerful unless you have understanding neighbors and good sound isolation.
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 - soundandvision.com - youtube.com - hifichicken.com - avgadgets.com - skybygramophone.com - audioadvice.com - svsound.com - svsound.com - svsound.com - summithifiusa.com - svsound.ca - perfectacoustic.co.uk - klipsch.com - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - easyhometheater.net - d2um2qdswy1tb0.cloudfront.net - audiolab.com - youtube.com - klipsch.com - klipsch.com - klipsch.com
