When it comes to adding deep, powerful bass to your home audio system, few names carry as much weight as SVS. Today, we're comparing two of their most popular but very different subwoofers: the compact $664.99 SB-1000 Pro and the massive $2,159.99 PB-4000.
SVS has been refining their subwoofer technology for over 20 years. The SB-1000 Pro launched in early 2021, bringing smartphone app control and updated amplification to their entry-level sealed design. The PB-4000 debuted in late 2017 as part of SVS's premium lineup, incorporating technology from their flagship 16-Ultra series.
These subwoofers represent two distinct approaches to bass reproduction. The SB-1000 Pro uses a sealed cabinet (hence the "SB" designation), which typically offers tighter, more controlled bass but sacrifices some raw output and deep bass extension. The PB-4000's ported design (the "PB" prefix) uses carefully tuned ports to enhance low-frequency output and efficiency, especially in the lowest octaves below 30Hz.
The SB-1000 Pro reaches down to 20Hz with its 12-inch driver and 325-watt amplifier. That's impressive for a sealed design this size, providing enough output for music and movies in small to medium rooms (up to about 300 square feet). The bass remains tight and controlled, which is especially noticeable with music.
The PB-4000 is in another league entirely. Its 13.5-inch driver, powered by a massive 1,200-watt amplifier, delivers usable output down to 15Hz in its extended mode. This is where you start to feel rather than hear the bass - think dinosaur footsteps in Jurassic Park or the massive waves in Interstellar. The three-port design allows users to tune the subwoofer's response for different scenarios:
Here's where things get interesting. The SB-1000 Pro's sealed design provides exceptionally quick, detailed bass that works beautifully with music. Whether it's the pluck of an upright bass or the kick drum in rock music, the response is tight and natural.
The PB-4000 is remarkably musical for a ported design, thanks to its sophisticated DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and powerful amplifier. However, its larger driver and ported design mean it can't quite match the SB-1000 Pro's agility with fast-paced music. That said, it adds an authority to orchestral music and pipe organs that the smaller sub can't match.
For movie enthusiasts, both subs excel but in different contexts. The SB-1000 Pro handles action movies admirably in smaller rooms, producing clean, impactful bass that enhances the experience without overwhelming the space.
The PB-4000 is a home theater powerhouse. Its ability to pressurize large rooms with clean, powerful bass below 20Hz creates a truly cinematic experience. When properly set up, it can reproduce the most demanding movie soundtracks without strain, adding physical impact to explosions and sound effects while maintaining clarity.
Both subwoofers feature SVS's smartphone app control, which I find incredibly useful for real-world setup. You can adjust:
The PB-4000 adds more sophisticated DSP options and display features, though the SB-1000 Pro's controls will be sufficient for most users.
The SB-1000 Pro's 325-watt Sledge amplifier uses Class D technology for efficiency and cool operation. It's more than adequate for the sealed design's needs.
The PB-4000's 1,200-watt amplifier includes active Power Factor Correction (PFC), which helps maintain consistent performance regardless of your home's power quality. This becomes important when you're moving this much air with a large driver.
The SB-1000 Pro's compact size (13.5-inch cube) makes it incredibly versatile for placement. It can disappear behind furniture or fit into tight spaces while still delivering impressive performance.
The PB-4000 demands respect at 23.7" x 20.5" x 30" and 153 pounds. You'll need to plan your room around it, but the performance justifies the space requirement for serious home theater enthusiasts.
At $664.99, the SB-1000 Pro represents exceptional value, offering performance that competes with subwoofers costing significantly more. It's an ideal choice for someone building their first serious home theater or high-end music system.
The PB-4000 at $2,159.99 requires a bigger investment but delivers reference-level performance that would have cost double this amount a decade ago. For large rooms and serious home theater applications, it's still a strong value despite the premium price.
Choose the SB-1000 Pro if:
Choose the PB-4000 if:
The beauty of SVS's lineup is that both options excel at their intended purposes. The SB-1000 Pro brings high-end performance to smaller rooms and budgets, while the PB-4000 delivers reference-level bass for those who demand the ultimate home theater experience.
Remember that SVS offers a 45-day in-home trial, letting you experience either subwoofer in your space before committing. This risk-free audition period makes either choice a safer investment in your audio journey.
| SVS SB-1000 Pro ($664.99) | SVS PB-4000 ($2,159.99) |
|---|---|
| Design Type - Affects bass character and room placement | |
| Sealed box (tighter, more precise bass) | Ported box (deeper extension, higher output) |
| Driver Size - Larger drivers generally move more air | |
| 12-inch composite fiber cone | 13.5-inch composite cone with glass fiber dustcap |
| Amplifier Power - Determines maximum clean output | |
| 325W RMS, 820W peak | 1200W RMS, 4000W peak |
| Frequency Response - Lower numbers mean deeper bass | |
| 20-270 Hz (±3 dB) | 17-200 Hz (±3 dB), extends to 15Hz in tuned mode |
| Cabinet Size - Critical for room placement | |
| 13.5" H x 13" W x 14.76" D (compact) | 23.7" H x 20.5" W x 30" D (requires planning) |
| Weight - Affects mobility and shipping | |
| 26 lbs (easily moveable) | 153.2 lbs (permanent placement recommended) |
| Room Size Recommendation - Key for performance | |
| Small to medium rooms (up to 300 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (300-800 sq ft) |
| DSP Features - Affects setup flexibility | |
| Basic app control, 3 presets, parametric EQ | Advanced control, variable tuning modes, more EQ options |
| Primary Use Case - Helps match to your needs | |
| Music and modest home theater in smaller rooms | Reference home theater and maximum output scenarios |
| Value Proposition - Performance per dollar | |
| Excellent performance for price in smaller spaces | Premium price but reference capabilities |
The $664.99 SB-1000 Pro is ideal for small rooms up to 300 square feet. Its compact sealed design provides tight, controlled bass without overwhelming the space. The PB-4000 would be oversized for small rooms.
The main difference is design approach - the SB-1000 Pro uses a sealed cabinet for precise bass, while the $2,159.99 PB-4000 uses a ported design for maximum output and deeper bass extension.
The SB-1000 Pro generally performs better with music due to its faster, more precise bass response. However, the PB-4000 excels with pipe organ music and other very low-frequency content.
The PB-4000 justifies its higher price if you have a large room, want reference-level home theater performance, or need maximum output. For smaller rooms and modest systems, the SB-1000 Pro provides better value.
The PB-4000 is superior for home theater use, offering deeper bass extension and higher output. However, the SB-1000 Pro performs well with movies in smaller rooms.
Choose sealed (SB-1000 Pro) for tighter bass and smaller rooms. Choose ported (PB-4000) for maximum output, deeper bass extension, and larger spaces.
The SB-1000 Pro works best in rooms up to 300 square feet, while the PB-4000 is designed for rooms between 300-800 square feet.
Yes, both the SB-1000 Pro and PB-4000 can be controlled via the SVS smartphone app, offering adjustments for volume, EQ, and presets.
The compact SB-1000 Pro is much easier to position, weighing only 26 lbs. The PB-4000 requires careful placement planning due to its large size and 153 lb weight.
Both are versatile, but the SB-1000 Pro excels with music, while the PB-4000 is optimized for home theater use. Each can handle both applications effectively within their size/room limitations.
The PB-4000 is significantly more powerful with 1200W RMS compared to the SB-1000 Pro's 325W RMS. However, raw power isn't the only factor in performance.
The SB-1000 Pro reaches down to 20Hz, while the PB-4000 extends to 17Hz in standard mode and 15Hz in extended mode.
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 - svsound.com - dreamediaav.com - avsforum.com - hometheaterreview.com - skybygramophone.com - svsound.com - audioholics.com - crutchfield.com - spacehifi.com.au - svsound.com
