When diving into premium subwoofers, we're talking about specialized speakers designed to reproduce the lowest frequencies in music and movies - the deep bass that you feel as much as hear. The SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) and SVS PB-4000 ($2,075) represent two different generations of SVS's engineering prowess in this space.
Released in early 2024, the PB17-Ultra R|Evolution represents SVS's latest flagship technology. The PB-4000, introduced in 2018, has been a longtime favorite among home theater enthusiasts. Both are "ported" subwoofers, meaning they use carefully tuned ports (tubes) to enhance their deep bass output.
When spending over $2,000 on a subwoofer, several key factors come into play:
This isn't just about being loud - it's about maintaining clarity and control at all volume levels. The PB17-Ultra can play about 4-6dB louder than its predecessor in the mid-bass region (think explosive movie effects and kick drums). That might not sound like much, but because decibels are logarithmic, this represents roughly twice the acoustic power.
Both subwoofers can play extremely low, but the PB17-Ultra reaches down to 12Hz in its extended mode - well below human hearing but critical for creating that physical sensation during movie effects like explosions or earthquakes. The PB-4000 bottoms out around 16Hz, which is still exceptional and beyond what most subwoofers can achieve.
This is crucial - putting too powerful a sub in a small room can cause problems, while an underpowered sub in a large space will struggle. The PB17-Ultra is designed for large rooms (over 3,000 cubic feet) while the PB-4000 is ideal for medium to large spaces (1,500-3,000 cubic feet).
The PB17-Ultra introduces SVS's first 17-inch driver with dual 8-inch voice coils. Think of voice coils like the engine in a car - having two large ones provides more precise control and power handling. The PB-4000's 13.5-inch driver with a single voice coil is still impressive but can't move as much air or maintain the same level of control at extreme outputs.
The newer PB17-Ultra's amplifier isn't just more powerful - it's a completely new design that processes left and right channels separately for better clarity. This is especially noticeable during complex musical passages or when multiple things are happening in a movie soundtrack.
Here's where recent technology really shows its advantages. The PB17-Ultra features:
The PB-4000's controls, while comprehensive, are more basic and lack the automatic room correction features that make the PB17-Ultra easier to optimize for your space.
Both subwoofers excel at movie playback, but they have different strengths:
The PB17-Ultra delivers:
The PB-4000 provides:
For music, the differences become more subtle. The PB17-Ultra's superior driver control means slightly better definition in bass notes and more natural decay of low frequencies. However, the PB-4000 is no slouch - it handles music beautifully and many listeners might not notice the differences without a direct comparison.
The $925 price difference between these models is significant, but we need to consider what you're getting:
Both the PB17-Ultra R|Evolution and PB-4000 are exceptional subwoofers that will transform your listening experience. The PB-4000 represents tremendous value, delivering reference-level performance that will satisfy most users. However, if you're building a high-end home theater or just want the absolute best available, the PB17-Ultra's advantages in output, control, and features make it worth the premium.
Remember that room acoustics play a huge role in subwoofer performance. The PB17-Ultra's advanced room correction features might actually make it the more cost-effective choice if you're struggling with room modes or planning to skip professional calibration.
Finally, consider SVS's excellent customer service and upgrade policy - they offer a trade-up program that can make it easier to start with the PB-4000 and upgrade later if you find yourself wanting more.
| SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) | SVS PB-4000 ($2,075) |
|---|---|
| Driver Size - Larger drivers can move more air for deeper, louder bass | |
| 17-inch with dual 8" voice coils | 13.5-inch with single voice coil |
| Amplifier Power - Higher clean power means better control and headroom | |
| 2,800 watts RMS (dual mono-block design) | 1,200 watts RMS (single amp design) |
| Frequency Response - Lower numbers mean deeper bass you can feel | |
| 12Hz-220Hz ±3dB (extended mode) | 16Hz-200Hz ±3dB |
| Room Size Suitability - Matching sub to room size is crucial | |
| Large rooms (>3,000 ft³) | Medium/large rooms (1,500-3,000 ft³) |
| DSP/Room Correction - Better processing means smoother in-room response | |
| 295MHz processor with auto-room correction | Basic DSP with manual adjustments |
| Weight - Heavier usually means better cabinet construction | |
| 164.7 lbs | 153.2 lbs |
| Port Configuration - More tuning options mean better room matching | |
| Three 4" ports with variable tuning modes | Three 3.5" ports with basic tuning |
| Mobile App Features - Better control means easier optimization | |
| Full parametric EQ, auto-room correction, multiple presets | Basic EQ and adjustments |
| Value Proposition - Consider your needs vs budget | |
| Premium price, ultimate performance | Better price/performance for most users |
The SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) is superior for dedicated home theaters, especially in larger rooms, offering more output and deeper bass. However, the SVS PB-4000 ($2,075) is still excellent for most home theaters and represents better value unless you need maximum performance.
The biggest difference is driver size and power - the PB17-Ultra has a larger 17-inch driver with dual voice coils and 2,800 watts of power, while the PB-4000 has a 13.5-inch driver and 1,200 watts. This results in about 4-6dB more output from the PB17-Ultra.
For large rooms over 3,000 cubic feet or dedicated home theaters, the PB17-Ultra is worth the premium. For medium-sized rooms or mixed-use spaces, the PB-4000 offers better value.
Both excel at music, but the PB17-Ultra offers better control and definition due to its dual voice coils and advanced DSP. The PB-4000 still provides excellent musical performance that will satisfy most listeners.
The PB17-Ultra works best in rooms larger than 3,000 cubic feet, while the PB-4000 is ideal for rooms between 1,500-3,000 cubic feet.
Yes, particularly the PB17-Ultra in smaller rooms. The PB-4000 is more flexible for different room sizes. Always match the subwoofer to your room size for optimal performance.
While one high-quality subwoofer like the PB17-Ultra or PB-4000 can work well, dual subwoofers often provide more even bass response across multiple seats. Two PB-4000s might be a better choice than one PB17-Ultra for many rooms.
The newer PB17-Ultra has more advanced features, including better room correction, a more sophisticated app, and superior DSP processing. The PB-4000 has more basic but still effective controls.
The PB17-Ultra reaches down to 12Hz in extended mode, while the PB-4000 extends to about 16Hz. Both are excellent, but the PB17-Ultra provides more ultra-low frequency output.
Most users will notice the PB17-Ultra's advantages during demanding bass scenes, but the PB-4000 still delivers reference-level performance for typical movie content.
The PB17-Ultra is easier to optimize thanks to its automatic room correction and advanced app features. The PB-4000 requires more manual adjustment but is still user-friendly.
While both the PB17-Ultra and PB-4000 might be too powerful for apartment use, they include adjustable controls to limit output. However, a smaller subwoofer might be more appropriate for apartment living.
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 - svsound.com - dreamediaav.com - avsforum.com - hometheaterreview.com - skybygramophone.com - svsound.com - audioholics.com - crutchfield.com - spacehifi.com.au - svsound.com
