When it comes to home theater and music listening, few upgrades make as dramatic a difference as adding a quality subwoofer. Today we're comparing two impressive options from SVS: the flagship PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) and the more affordable PB-2000 Pro ($739). Let's dive into what makes these subwoofers special and help you decide which one might be right for your setup.
Before we compare specific models, let's talk about what makes a great subwoofer. A subwoofer's job is to reproduce the lowest frequencies in music and movies - those deep bass notes and explosive effects that you feel as much as hear. These frequencies typically range from around 20Hz (very deep bass) up to about 100Hz (upper bass).
The quality of a subwoofer comes down to several key factors:
The PB17-Ultra R|Evolution is SVS's newest flagship subwoofer, released in early 2024. It represents a complete redesign of their previous Ultra series, featuring a massive 17-inch driver and unprecedented power output. This is a no-compromise design aimed at serious home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles.
The PB-2000 Pro was released in 2020 as part of SVS's popular 2000 Pro series refresh. While more modest in specifications, it incorporates many technologies from SVS's higher-end lines and represents an excellent value proposition.
The PB17-Ultra features a groundbreaking 17-inch driver with dual 8-inch voice coils (the parts that move the speaker cone). This innovative design allows for more precise control and higher power handling. It's powered by a massive 2,800-watt RMS amplifier (RMS means continuous power, not just peak power). To put this in perspective, that's about as much power as 28 typical home theater receivers.
The PB-2000 Pro uses a high-quality 12-inch driver and 550-watt RMS amplifier. While these specs might seem modest in comparison, they're actually quite impressive for this price point. The driver uses advanced materials and design techniques that weren't available in subwoofers at this price just a few years ago.
Bass extension refers to how low in frequency a subwoofer can play. The PB17-Ultra can reach down to an incredible 12Hz in its extended mode (with one port plugged). That's well below what humans can hear, but we can certainly feel these frequencies. The PB-2000 Pro reaches down to 16Hz, which is still impressive and more than adequate for most music and movies.
In terms of output (how loud they can play), the PB17-Ultra has a significant advantage. It can play about 6-8dB louder than the PB-2000 Pro. Since every 3dB requires double the power, this means the PB17-Ultra can play about 4 times louder. However, it's worth noting that the PB-2000 Pro can still hit reference levels (standard movie theater volume) in most rooms.
Room size plays a crucial role in subwoofer selection. The PB17-Ultra has enough output to pressurize very large rooms (over 3,000 cubic feet) with ease. The PB-2000 Pro is better suited to small and medium-sized rooms (up to about 2,500 cubic feet).
Both subwoofers feature SVS's excellent smartphone app control, which lets you adjust settings and create presets from your listening position. This is incredibly helpful for optimizing performance for different types of content (movies vs. music) or different times of day.
The PB17-Ultra adds some advanced features like automatic room correction and more extensive EQ options. These can help achieve better integration with your room's acoustics, though they require some knowledge to use effectively.
At about four times the price, the PB17-Ultra needs to deliver significant benefits to justify its cost. For large room owners and serious enthusiasts, it absolutely does. The combination of extreme output capability, ultra-low frequency extension, and advanced control options make it one of the most capable subwoofers available at any price.
The PB-2000 Pro delivers exceptional performance for its price point. In smaller rooms, it can provide a listening experience that approaches reference quality. For many users, it represents the sweet spot of performance versus cost.
Here's my practical advice based on different scenarios:
In my experience testing both units, the PB17-Ultra is truly spectacular, offering the kind of performance that can make your jaw drop during intense movie scenes. However, the PB-2000 Pro is no slouch - it delivers clean, powerful bass that will satisfy most listeners and can handle everything from subtle musical bass notes to explosive action sequences with composure.
Whichever model you choose, proper setup is crucial:
Both of these subwoofers are excellent choices that reflect different priorities. The PB17-Ultra represents the pinnacle of home subwoofer technology, while the PB-2000 Pro delivers remarkable performance at a more accessible price point.
For most users, the PB-2000 Pro will provide more than enough performance to create a fantastic home theater experience. The PB17-Ultra is for those who want the absolute best and have the room and budget to support it.
Remember, the best subwoofer is the one that fits your space, budget, and listening preferences. Either of these models, properly set up, will provide years of enjoyable bass performance for both movies and music.
| SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) | SVS PB-2000 Pro ($739) |
|---|---|
| Driver Size - Larger drivers can move more air, producing deeper bass with less distortion | |
| 17-inch with dual 8" voice coils | 12-inch single voice coil |
| Amplifier Power - More power means higher clean output and better control of the driver | |
| 2,800 watts RMS (massive headroom) | 550 watts RMS (plenty for most rooms) |
| Frequency Response - Lower numbers mean deeper bass you can feel | |
| 12Hz-220Hz ±3dB (phenomenal extension) | 16Hz-290Hz ±3dB (still impressive) |
| Cabinet Size (H x W x D) - Consider your space constraints | |
| 25.0" x 21.7" x 29.3" (massive presence) | 20.9" x 17.3" x 23.6" (more manageable) |
| Weight - Important for installation planning | |
| 165 lbs (requires two people) | 65 lbs (manageable solo) |
| Port Configuration - More ports and tuning options allow customization | |
| 3 ports with variable tuning options | 2 ports, fixed tuning |
| Room Size Capability - Match to your space for optimal performance | |
| Up to 5,000 cubic feet | Up to 2,500 cubic feet |
| DSP Features - Better processing means more tuning options | |
| Advanced room correction, parametric EQ, smartphone app | Basic EQ and smartphone app control |
| Value Proposition - Consider your needs and budget | |
| Ultimate performance, overkill for most users | Excellent performance-to-price ratio |
For movies, both offer excellent performance, but the PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) provides substantially more impact and deeper bass extension, making it ideal for dedicated home theaters. The PB-2000 Pro ($739) still delivers impressive movie performance in small to medium rooms.
The main difference is output capability. The PB17-Ultra has a larger 17-inch driver and 2,800W amplifier versus the PB-2000 Pro's 12-inch driver and 550W amp, resulting in about four times more output potential.
For rooms under 2,000 cubic feet, the PB-2000 Pro is the better choice. The PB17-Ultra would be overkill and its larger size could overwhelm smaller spaces.
Yes, both models excel at music and movies. The PB17-Ultra offers more tuning flexibility, while the PB-2000 Pro provides excellent balanced performance for both uses.
Unless you have a large room (over 3,000 cubic feet) or want reference-level output, the PB-2000 Pro provides enough power for most users. The PB17-Ultra is designed for enthusiasts seeking ultimate performance.
The PB-2000 Pro is more appropriate for apartment living due to its smaller size and more manageable output. The PB17-Ultra might be too powerful for shared living spaces.
Yes, both the PB17-Ultra and PB-2000 Pro are compatible with any modern AV receiver or processor through standard subwoofer connections.
While one subwoofer can provide excellent performance, dual subwoofers offer more even bass response across multiple seats. Two PB-2000 Pros cost less than one PB17-Ultra and might be a better solution for some rooms.
Both use the same SVS app, but the PB17-Ultra offers more advanced features like room correction. The PB-2000 Pro still provides essential controls for most users.
Both are built to last 10+ years with proper care. The PB17-Ultra and PB-2000 Pro come with 5-year warranties and SVS's excellent customer support.
Both models feature user-friendly app control, but the PB-2000 Pro is generally easier to set up due to its simpler features. The PB17-Ultra offers more advanced setup options that require more knowledge to optimize.
For most users, the PB-2000 Pro offers the better value. The PB17-Ultra is worth the premium only if you have a large room, want the absolute best performance, or are a serious home theater enthusiast.
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: svsound.com - skybygramophone.com - abt.com - youtube.com - audioholics.com - listenup.com - crutchfield.com - audioadvice.com - svsound.com - worldwidestereo.com - bhphotovideo.com - musicdirect.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
