When it comes to adding deep, impactful bass to your home audio system, the SVS SB-1000 Pro ($664.99) and Klipsch Reference R-120SW ($215.09) represent two different approaches at very different price points. Let's dive into what makes each unique and who they're best for.
Home subwoofers handle the lowest frequencies in your audio system - typically anything below 80Hz. While your main speakers might struggle with these deep bass notes, a dedicated subwoofer can reproduce them with authority, adding depth and impact to both music and movies.
Modern subwoofers have come a long way from the boomy boxes of the past. Today's units offer digital signal processing (DSP), smartphone control, and sophisticated room correction features. These advances help integrate the subwoofer seamlessly with your main speakers while minimizing problematic room acoustics.
The SVS SB-1000 Pro represents the latest in subwoofer technology, released in 2021 as part of SVS's "Pro" series upgrade. It uses a sealed cabinet design, which typically offers tighter, more controlled bass at the expense of maximum output. The 12-inch driver is powered by a sophisticated 325-watt RMS amplifier that can peak at over 820 watts.
In contrast, the Klipsch R-120SW, introduced several years earlier, takes a more traditional approach. Its ported design uses a rear-firing port to enhance efficiency and bass output from its 200-watt amplifier. While this can provide impressive punch, especially for home theater use, it doesn't offer the same level of control as the sealed SVS design.
The frequency response tells an important story here. The SVS reaches down to 20Hz, which is essentially the lowest frequency humans can hear. You'll feel these ultra-low frequencies more than hear them - think dinosaur footsteps in Jurassic Park or the deep rumble of a spacecraft in Interstellar.
The Klipsch starts rolling off around 29Hz, which is still respectable but means you'll miss some of those lowest octaves. In practice, this difference is noticeable primarily in music with very deep bass (pipe organs, electronic music) or movies with extreme low-frequency effects.
The SVS's more powerful amplifier isn't just about volume - it's about control. The additional power helps the driver maintain composure during demanding passages, reducing distortion when the bass gets intense. The sophisticated DSP also helps prevent the driver from exceeding its limits, ensuring clean bass even at high volumes.
The Klipsch's 200-watt amplifier is no slouch, but it doesn't provide the same headroom for dynamic peaks. In smaller rooms, this may not be an issue, but in larger spaces or at higher volumes, the difference becomes more apparent.
The feature gap between these models reflects their different market positions. The SVS offers tools that help optimize performance in any room, while the Klipsch provides basic adjustments that will suffice for simpler setups.
In practical use, both subwoofers can significantly enhance a home audio system, but they excel in different scenarios.
The SVS SB-1000 Pro shines with music, offering precise, articulate bass that follows complex rhythms accurately. Whether it's the intricate bass lines in jazz or the deep electronic beats in modern music, the SVS maintains clarity and control.
The Klipsch can certainly enhance music playback, but it's less refined in its approach. Bass notes can sometimes feel slightly loose or overly prominent compared to the SVS's more measured delivery.
Both subwoofers perform well with movies, but in different ways. The SVS provides more authentic reproduction of low-frequency effects, maintaining composure during intense scenes while still delivering impact when needed.
The Klipsch offers impressive punch for action movies and can certainly shake the room, but it doesn't capture the finest details in sound effects the way the SVS does. However, for many viewers, especially in smaller rooms, the Klipsch provides more than enough performance for engaging movie watching.
At roughly one-third the price of the SVS, the Klipsch R-120SW represents solid value for those wanting to add substantial bass to their system without breaking the bank. It's particularly well-suited for:
The SVS justifies its higher price through:
Consider these key factors when choosing between these subwoofers:
For those who can afford it, the SVS SB-1000 Pro represents the more capable and future-proof choice. Its advanced features and superior performance make it a worthwhile investment for serious audio enthusiasts.
However, the Klipsch R-120SW shouldn't be dismissed - it offers remarkable value and can provide satisfying bass enhancement for many users, especially those primarily watching movies in smaller spaces.
Remember, proper subwoofer placement and setup are crucial regardless of which model you choose. Take time to experiment with position and settings to get the best performance from either subwoofer.
| SVS SB-1000 Pro Subwoofer ($664.99) | Klipsch Reference R-120SW ($215.09) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power - Determines headroom for dynamic content and clean bass at high volumes | |
| 325W RMS / 820W Peak - Substantial headroom for demanding content | 200W RMS / 400W Peak - Adequate for small/medium rooms |
| Frequency Response - Defines the lowest bass notes the subwoofer can reproduce | |
| 20-270 Hz (±3dB) - Reaches subsonic frequencies | 29-120 Hz (±3dB) - Missing deepest octave |
| Driver Size & Design - Impacts bass quality and output capability | |
| 12" high-excursion driver in sealed cabinet - Tighter, more controlled bass | 12" spun-copper IMG woofer in ported cabinet - More efficient, higher output |
| Control Features - Affects ease of setup and fine-tuning | |
| Smartphone app, 3 presets, PEQ, room correction | Basic knobs for volume, crossover, phase |
| Cabinet Size - Important for room placement | |
| 13.5" H x 13" W x 14.76" D (26 lbs) - Compact | 16.5" H x 14" W x 19.2" D (31 lbs) - Larger footprint |
| Processing Technology - Influences sound quality and integration | |
| 50MHz DSP with 56-bit filtering - Advanced processing | Basic analog crossover - Limited adjustment |
| Warranty & Support - Protection for your investment | |
| 5-year warranty, 45-day in-home trial | 5-year warranty on electronics |
| Connectivity Options - Flexibility for system integration | |
| RCA line/LFE inputs, speaker level inputs | RCA line/LFE inputs only |
| Room Size Suitability - Match to your space | |
| Medium to large rooms (up to 3000 cu.ft) | Small to medium rooms (up to 2000 cu.ft) |
The SVS SB-1000 Pro ($664.99) offers superior performance for home theater with deeper bass extension to 20Hz and more power. However, the Klipsch R-120SW ($215.09) provides good performance for basic home theater needs at one-third the price.
The main difference is design approach: The SVS uses a sealed cabinet with advanced processing for precise bass, while the Klipsch uses a ported design for more efficient output. The SVS also offers smartphone control and room correction features.
The SVS SB-1000 Pro is significantly better for music, offering tighter bass control and better detail. Its sealed design and sophisticated processing provide more accurate musical reproduction compared to the Klipsch.
For serious audio enthusiasts or those with larger rooms, yes. The additional features, power, and performance justify the price. However, casual users in smaller rooms may be perfectly happy with the Klipsch R-120SW.
Both work well in small rooms, but the Klipsch R-120SW might be the more practical choice due to its lower price and sufficient power for smaller spaces. The SVS's additional capabilities might be underutilized in a small room.
The SVS SB-1000 Pro extends down to 20Hz, while the Klipsch R-120SW reaches 29Hz. This difference is noticeable in movies with ultra-low bass effects and certain types of music.
The SVS has significantly more power with 325W RMS/820W peak compared to the Klipsch's 200W RMS/400W peak. This provides more headroom for dynamic content.
Only the SVS SB-1000 Pro offers smartphone control through its app. The Klipsch R-120SW uses traditional knob controls on the unit.
Both perform well for movies, but the SVS offers better performance with deeper bass extension and more power. The Klipsch still provides satisfying movie performance at a lower price point.
If you're serious about audio quality or have a challenging room layout, the SVS's room correction features are valuable. The Klipsch's basic controls are sufficient for simple setups.
The SVS SB-1000 Pro includes a 5-year warranty plus a 45-day in-home trial. The Klipsch R-120SW offers a standard 5-year warranty on electronics.
Neither requires professional setup, but the SVS's app makes fine-tuning easier for beginners. The Klipsch uses traditional controls that may take more experimentation to optimize.
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: hometheaterhifi.com - dreamediaav.com - youtube.com - hifisoundenthusiast.com - projectorscreenstore.com - audioholics.com - svsound.ca - svsound.com - projectorscreen.com - svsound.com - audioadvice.com - bhphotovideo.com - perfectacoustic.co.uk - klipsch.com - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - easyhometheater.net - d2um2qdswy1tb0.cloudfront.net - audiolab.com - youtube.com - klipsch.com - klipsch.com - klipsch.com
