When it comes to home theater bass, few names carry as much weight as SVS. Today we're comparing two very different subwoofers from their lineup: the brand new flagship PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) and the popular PC-2000 Pro ($1,099). Let's explore how these subwoofers stack up and help you decide which makes more sense for your setup.
Before diving into the comparison, let's quickly cover what makes today's subwoofers special. Modern subwoofers combine powerful amplifiers, sophisticated digital processing (DSP), and precision-engineered drivers to reproduce the lowest frequencies in music and movies. While basic subwoofers simply play low notes, advanced models like these can pressurize an entire room with clean, controlled bass that you feel as much as hear.
The PB17-Ultra, released in early 2024, represents SVS's latest technological achievements. It introduces several firsts for consumer subwoofers, including a dual 8-inch voice coil design that allows for better heat dissipation and more precise control. The driver itself is massive - a 17-inch cone that weighs over 63 pounds. This is paired with their most powerful amplifier yet, pushing over 2,800 watts.
In contrast, the PC-2000 Pro uses more conventional (but still excellent) technology - a 12-inch driver and 550-watt amplifier. While not bleeding-edge, this proven design delivers impressive performance for most home theater enthusiasts.
Here's where things get interesting. The PB17-Ultra can play noticeably louder and reach lower frequencies (down to 12Hz) compared to the PC-2000 Pro's 16Hz extension. But what does this mean in practice?
This is where the PC-2000 Pro really stands out. Its cylinder design lets you place it in corners or even behind furniture while still performing well. At just over 16 inches in diameter, it's far more room-friendly than the massive PB17-Ultra, which needs significant floor space and careful placement to work its magic.
The PB17-Ultra weighs 165 pounds and measures over 25 inches in each dimension - you'll want to think carefully about placement before ordering. However, this size enables its extreme performance capabilities.
Looking at pure value, we have several scenarios to consider:
Both subwoofers include SVS's smartphone app for control and room correction, but the PB17-Ultra takes things further with:
These technical advantages translate to:
The PC-2000 Pro is generally easier to integrate into existing rooms. Its cylinder design can work in corners where a traditional box subwoofer might be problematic. The PB17-Ultra requires more careful placement but rewards proper setup with extraordinary performance.
Both models include:
Consider these key factors when choosing:
The SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution represents the pinnacle of consumer subwoofer technology, offering performance that was unimaginable just a few years ago. It's the clear choice for dedicated home theater enthusiasts with the space and budget to accommodate it.
The PC-2000 Pro remains one of the best values in high-performance subwoofers. Its cylinder design solves real-world placement issues while delivering impressive performance that will satisfy most users.
For many buyers, the PC-2000 Pro hits a sweet spot of performance and practicality. But if you're building a reference-level system and have the space, the PB17-Ultra delivers an experience that simply can't be matched at lower price points.
Remember that SVS offers a 45-day in-home trial, so you can audition either model in your space. This takes much of the risk out of the decision-making process.
| SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) | SVS PC-2000 Pro ($1,099) |
|---|---|
| Driver Size - Larger drivers can move more air for deeper, louder bass | |
| 17-inch with dual 8-inch voice coils | 12-inch single voice coil |
| Amplifier Power - More clean power means better control and output capability | |
| 2,800W RMS class D with power conditioning | 550W RMS class D |
| Low Frequency Extension - How deep the bass can go, important for movie effects | |
| 12Hz (extended mode), 14Hz (standard) | 16Hz |
| Cabinet Design - Affects placement flexibility and room integration | |
| Traditional box (25"H x 21.7"W x 29.3"D) | Cylinder design (16.6" diameter) |
| Weight - Impacts placement options and installation difficulty | |
| 165 lbs (requires careful planning) | 82 lbs (more manageable) |
| DSP Processing - Better processing means cleaner bass in real rooms | |
| 295MHz advanced room correction | 50MHz basic room correction |
| Port Configuration - Affects tuning flexibility and output capability | |
| 3 ports with multiple tuning options | Single port, fixed tuning |
| Room Size Capability - Determines if it can pressurize your space | |
| Up to 5,000 cubic feet | Up to 2,500 cubic feet |
| Value Proposition - What you get for your money | |
| Premium price, reference performance | Excellent performance per dollar, could buy two for less |
The SVS PB17-Ultra R|Evolution ($2,999) offers superior performance for dedicated home theaters, especially in larger rooms. However, the PC-2000 Pro ($1,099) provides excellent performance for most home theaters under 2,000 cubic feet. If budget allows, the PB17-Ultra delivers reference-level performance.
The primary difference is output capability and extension. The PB17-Ultra features a larger 17-inch driver and more powerful amplifier, while the PC-2000 Pro uses a 12-inch driver. This translates to about 6-8dB more output capability in the PB17-Ultra.
The PC-2000 Pro is better suited for apartment use due to its smaller size and more manageable output. The PB17-Ultra might be too powerful for apartment living and could cause neighbor complaints.
For the price of one PB17-Ultra, you could buy two PC-2000 Pros, which might provide better overall room coverage. Dual subwoofers often deliver more even bass response across multiple seating positions.
The PB17-Ultra excels with action movies, providing deeper bass and higher output. While the PC-2000 Pro handles most content well, the PB17-Ultra offers more headroom for explosive scenes.
Both perform excellently for music, but the PB17-Ultra offers more precision and headroom. The PC-2000 Pro handles most music genres beautifully, only showing limitations with pipe organ or very demanding electronic music.
The PC-2000 Pro works best in rooms under 2,000 cubic feet, while the PB17-Ultra can handle rooms up to 5,000 cubic feet or larger. Room size should be a primary consideration in your choice.
For dedicated home theater enthusiasts with larger rooms, the PB17-Ultra justifies its premium price. However, the PC-2000 Pro offers exceptional value and might be the smarter choice for many users.
The PC-2000 Pro is easier to position due to its cylinder design and lighter weight. The PB17-Ultra requires more careful placement consideration due to its size and weight (165 lbs).
Yes, both the PB17-Ultra and PC-2000 Pro work with any modern AV receiver or processor. They include standard RCA inputs and comprehensive controls for integration.
Both subwoofers excel for gaming, but the PB17-Ultra provides more impact for explosive effects. The PC-2000 Pro still delivers impressive gaming performance and might be more practical for mixed-use gaming spaces.
Both the PB17-Ultra and PC-2000 Pro include SVS's 5-year unconditional warranty and 45-day in-home trial, making either purchase risk-free.
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 - avsforum.com - svsound.com - audioholics.com - svsound.com - svsound.com - crutchfield.com - iq-av.com - crutchfield.com - svsound.com - spacehifi.com.au
