When it comes to home theater bass, few brands command as much respect as SVS. Today, we're comparing two of their most popular subwoofers: the compact $664.99 SB-1000 Pro and the larger $992.74 PB-2000 Pro. While they're siblings in SVS's lineup, they take distinctly different approaches to delivering deep bass.
Before diving into specifics, let's talk about what makes a great subwoofer in 2024. Modern subwoofers aren't just about raw power – they need to deliver clean, controlled bass that enhances both movies and music. The key distinction between these two models lies in their fundamental design approach: sealed (SB) versus ported (PB).
A sealed subwoofer, like the SB-1000 Pro, operates like a piston in a closed box, offering tight, accurate bass. Ported designs, like the PB-2000 Pro, use carefully tuned ports to enhance low-frequency output, trading some precision for additional power and deeper bass extension.
The SB-1000 Pro reaches down to 20Hz, which covers most musical content and many movie effects. It delivers this bass with remarkable precision – you'll hear exactly what's in the recording without artificial emphasis. This makes it particularly excellent for music, where accuracy trumps maximum output.
The PB-2000 Pro digs deeper to 16Hz, and this difference is noticeable with movie content. Those extra few Hz might not sound like much, but they're crucial for reproducing the lowest rumbles in modern action movies. When a spaceship passes overhead or an explosion rocks the scene, you'll feel those subsonic frequencies physically.
SVS gave these subwoofers significantly different amplifiers for good reason. The SB-1000 Pro's 325-watt RMS amplifier (with 820+ watts peak) matches perfectly with its sealed design and intended use case. The PB-2000 Pro steps up to 550 watts RMS and 1,500+ watts peak, providing the extra power needed to move more air through its ported design.
This power difference, combined with their design philosophies, creates distinct personalities:
Both subwoofers benefit from SVS's latest technology. The 50 MHz Analog Devices Audio DSP with 56-bit filtering (introduced in 2021) provides incredibly precise control over the subwoofer's behavior. This matters because it helps prevent distortion and keeps the bass clean even at high volumes.
The smartphone app control, available for both models, offers features previously found only in much more expensive subwoofers:
Room size dramatically impacts subwoofer performance. The SB-1000 Pro excels in rooms up to about 2,000 cubic feet. Its sealed design and smaller cabinet make it easier to position, and it's less likely to excite room modes (natural resonances that can make bass sound boomy).
The PB-2000 Pro has no trouble filling larger spaces up to 3,000 cubic feet or more. Its ported design moves more air, which helps maintain impressive bass levels even in challenging rooms. However, its larger cabinet requires more careful placement consideration.
The price difference ($328) between these subwoofers is significant but justified by their capabilities:
SB-1000 Pro delivers exceptional value for:
PB-2000 Pro represents strong value for:
In practice, both subwoofers exceed expectations for their price points. The SB-1000 Pro's bass is remarkably clean and musical. It handles complex bass lines in jazz and classical music with exceptional detail, and still has enough punch for movie effects.
The PB-2000 Pro takes everything up a notch. While it can't quite match the SB-1000 Pro's pinpoint accuracy with music, it compensates with authoritative power that transforms movie watching. When a T-Rex stomps in Jurassic Park or the Batmobile roars through Gotham, you don't just hear it – you feel it.
Both subwoofers integrate well with home theater systems, offering:
The PB-2000 Pro particularly shines in dedicated home theaters, where its extra output and deeper extension create that "commercial cinema" feel. The SB-1000 Pro works better in mixed-use living rooms where aesthetics and space matter as much as performance.
Choose the SB-1000 Pro if:
Choose the PB-2000 Pro if:
Both subwoofers represent excellent value in their respective categories. The SB-1000 Pro is a marvel of compact engineering, delivering refined performance that belies its size and price. The PB-2000 Pro offers a significant step up in output and extension, approaching reference-level performance at a mid-tier price point.
The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and constraints. Either way, both subwoofers demonstrate why SVS continues to dominate the home theater subwoofer market, offering professional-grade performance at consumer-friendly prices.
Remember: The best subwoofer isn't always the most powerful one – it's the one that best fits your space, budget, and listening preferences while delivering the performance you need.
| SVS SB-1000 Pro ($664.99) | SVS PB-2000 Pro ($992.74) |
|---|---|
| Design Type - Impacts bass character and room placement | |
| Sealed cabinet for tight, accurate bass | Ported design for maximum output and deeper extension |
| Amplifier Power - Determines maximum clean output | |
| 325W RMS, 820W peak | 550W RMS, 1500W peak |
| Frequency Response - Defines bass extension capability | |
| 20-270 Hz (±3dB) | 16-290 Hz (±3dB) |
| Cabinet Size - Critical for room placement | |
| 13.5" H x 13" W x 14.76" D (compact) | 20.9" H x 17.3" W x 23.6" D (large) |
| Weight - Affects portability and stability | |
| 26 lbs | 65 lbs |
| Room Size Suitability - Crucial for performance match | |
| Ideal for rooms up to 2000 cubic feet | Suitable for rooms up to 3000+ cubic feet |
| Primary Use Case Strengths - Helps match to listening preferences | |
| Music-focused, precise bass definition | Movie-focused, maximum impact and rumble |
| DSP Features - Enables customization and room correction | |
| 50 MHz DSP, 3-band PEQ, smartphone app | 50 MHz DSP, 3-band PEQ, smartphone app |
| Value Proposition - Helps determine best price/performance ratio | |
| Better value for smaller spaces and music | Better value for dedicated home theaters |
| Installation Flexibility - Important for room integration | |
| Highly flexible due to compact size | Requires more careful placement planning |
The $664.99 SB-1000 Pro is generally better for music due to its sealed design providing tighter, more accurate bass response. While the PB-2000 Pro can play louder, the SB-1000 Pro offers better precision for musical detail.
The SB-1000 Pro is ideal for small rooms due to its compact size and sealed design. It's less likely to overwhelm the space and easier to position than the larger PB-2000 Pro.
The $992.74 PB-2000 Pro is worth the extra cost if you have a larger room, prioritize home theater use, or need maximum output. For smaller rooms or primarily music listening, the SB-1000 Pro provides better value.
The PB-2000 Pro is superior for home theater due to its deeper bass extension (16Hz vs 20Hz) and higher power output. It creates more impactful movie effects than the SB-1000 Pro.
The main difference is design type - the SB-1000 Pro is sealed for precise bass, while the PB-2000 Pro is ported for maximum output and deeper extension. This affects both sound character and room placement flexibility.
The SB-1000 Pro is easier to set up due to its smaller size and more flexible placement options. Both use the same smartphone app for configuration, but the PB-2000 Pro requires more careful room positioning.
The SB-1000 Pro is better suited for apartment use due to its more controlled output and smaller size. The PB-2000 Pro might be too powerful for apartment living.
Either the SB-1000 Pro or PB-2000 Pro can work well alone, but dual subwoofers will provide more even bass response across multiple seats. Choose based on room size and budget.
Both the SB-1000 Pro and PB-2000 Pro use the same SVS smartphone app with identical control features, including parametric EQ, presets, and room compensation.
The SB-1000 Pro works best in rooms up to 2,000 cubic feet, while the PB-2000 Pro can handle rooms up to 3,000+ cubic feet effectively.
The SB-1000 Pro delivers 325W RMS/820W peak, while the PB-2000 Pro provides 550W RMS/1,500W peak power. The PB-2000 Pro's additional power helps achieve deeper bass extension.
Both the SB-1000 Pro and PB-2000 Pro are built to similar high standards and include the same 5-year warranty. Longevity should be similar with proper use.
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 - avnirvana.com - dreamediaav.com - audioholics.com - spacehifi.com.au - hometheaterreview.com - audiosciencereview.com - content.abt.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - svsound.com - crutchfield.com
