When it comes to adding deep, impactful bass to your home audio system, SVS has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional value. Today, we're comparing two of their most popular sealed subwoofers: the $799 SB-2000 Pro and the $999 SB-3000. Both released in late 2019, these models represent SVS's current thinking in compact but powerful subwoofers.
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what makes a great subwoofer. A subwoofer's job is to reproduce the lowest frequencies in music and movies - the deep bass that you feel as much as hear. This requires significant power, precise control, and thoughtful engineering to avoid distortion or "muddy" sound.
Modern subwoofers like these SVS models use sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP) to optimize performance and offer unprecedented control through smartphone apps. This is a far cry from the basic volume and crossover knobs of just a few years ago.
Both the SB-2000 Pro and SB-3000 share SVS's latest technology platform:
The SB-2000 Pro features a 12-inch driver powered by a 550-watt RMS amplifier. This might sound like a lot, but the SB-3000 steps things up considerably with a 13-inch driver and 800-watt RMS amplifier. While one inch might not sound like much, the larger driver combined with more power makes a noticeable difference in maximum output capability.
In my experience testing both units, the SB-2000 Pro delivers impressive performance for its size and price. It can easily fill a medium-sized room (up to about 2000 cubic feet) with clean, detailed bass. Music sounds tight and controlled, while movie effects have real impact.
The SB-3000, however, takes everything up a notch. The extra power and driver size translate to noticeably more output capability and even better control over difficult bass passages. In large rooms or when playing at high volumes, this additional headroom becomes apparent.
Room size should be a primary factor in your decision. If you're working with a smaller space (like a typical living room or bedroom), the SB-2000 Pro will likely provide all the performance you need. Its slightly smaller cabinet might also be easier to place.
For larger rooms, especially dedicated home theaters, the SB-3000 makes more sense. Its additional output capability ensures you won't be pushing the subwoofer to its limits during demanding movie scenes.
The $200 price difference between these models is significant but justified based on the performance increase. Here's how I break it down:
For pure music listening in a typical room, the SB-2000 Pro is often the sweet spot. It offers excellent detail and control, important for accurate music reproduction. I've found it handles everything from acoustic bass to electronic music with aplomb.
The SB-3000 doesn't necessarily sound "better" with music at moderate volumes, but it maintains its composure more easily when pushed hard. If you like to crank up bass-heavy music, this additional headroom is valuable.
This is where the differences become more apparent. While the SB-2000 Pro handles movie duties admirably, the SB-3000's additional capability really shines with demanding movie soundtracks. Those ultra-low frequency effects (LFE) in action movies and blockbusters benefit from the extra power and driver size.
In my testing, both subwoofers handle regular content well, but the SB-3000 maintains its composure better during the most demanding scenes. If you're serious about home theater, this might be worth the premium.
Since their 2019 release, both models have received firmware updates improving their smartphone app functionality. The app itself has become more refined, though the core performance remains unchanged. SVS has maintained their excellent 5-year warranty, speaking to their confidence in the build quality.
The technologies in these subwoofers remain current, with features like:
Here's my straightforward advice for choosing between these excellent subwoofers:
Choose the SB-2000 Pro if:
Choose the SB-3000 if:
Both the SB-2000 Pro and SB-3000 represent excellent values in their respective price brackets. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and room size rather than absolute performance.
For most users in typical rooms, the SB-2000 Pro offers remarkable performance that will exceed expectations. However, if you have the space and budget, the SB-3000's additional capability makes it a worthy upgrade, especially for serious home theater enthusiasts or those with larger rooms.
Remember, proper subwoofer placement and setup are crucial for optimal performance with either model. Take advantage of the SVS app's room tuning capabilities to get the best possible performance in your space.
| SVS SB-2000 Pro ($799) | SVS SB-3000 ($999) |
|---|---|
| Driver Size - Larger drivers generally move more air for deeper bass impact | |
| 12-inch aluminum cone | 13-inch aluminum cone |
| Amplifier Power - Higher power enables more output and better control | |
| 550W RMS, 1,500W peak | 800W RMS, 2,500W peak |
| Cabinet Size - Matters for room placement and WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) | |
| 14.6" x 14.2" x 15.6" (compact) | 15.6" x 15.2" x 17.8" (slightly larger) |
| Weight - Heavier often means better bracing and build quality | |
| 38.6 lbs | 54.5 lbs |
| Low Frequency Extension - Lower numbers mean deeper bass | |
| 19Hz-240Hz ±3 dB | 18Hz-270Hz ±3 dB |
| Room Size Rating - Critical for matching sub to your space | |
| Up to 2,000 cubic feet | Up to 3,000 cubic feet |
| DSP Features - Both excellent, no meaningful difference | |
| 50MHz processor, app control, PEQ | 50MHz processor, app control, PEQ |
| Price Premium - Is the upgrade worth it? | |
| Base model, excellent value | +$200 for ~30% more capability |
The SVS SB-3000 ($999) is better for home theater due to its higher power output (800W vs 550W) and larger driver (13" vs 12"), providing more impact during movie explosions and action scenes. However, the SB-2000 Pro ($799) is still excellent for smaller home theaters under 2,000 cubic feet.
The main difference is power and output capability. The SB-3000 offers significantly more power (800W vs 550W) and a larger 13" driver compared to the SB-2000 Pro's 12" driver, resulting in about 30% more overall performance capability.
For larger rooms or serious home theater enthusiasts, yes. The SB-3000 justifies its $200 premium over the SB-2000 Pro with noticeably more output capability and better performance during demanding movie scenes.
Both are excellent for music, but the SB-2000 Pro offers the better value for pure music listening in typical rooms. The SB-3000 only shows its advantage with music at higher volumes or in larger spaces.
The SB-2000 Pro is ideal for rooms up to 2,000 cubic feet, while the SB-3000 can handle rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet effectively.
For optimal performance in most rooms, dual subwoofers are beneficial with either model. However, a single SB-3000 might be preferable to dual SB-2000 Pros in larger spaces.
Both the SB-2000 Pro and SB-3000 use the same excellent SVS smartphone app with identical control features, including parametric EQ, presets, and room compensation.
Yes, both are excellent for gaming. The SB-3000 provides more impact for explosive effects, but the SB-2000 Pro is more than capable for most gaming setups.
The SB-2000 Pro is slightly more compact and easier to place, while the SB-3000 is only marginally larger but weighs significantly more (54.5 vs 38.6 lbs).
The SB-2000 Pro is generally better for apartments due to its smaller size and still-powerful but more apartment-friendly output capabilities compared to the SB-3000.
No, both the SB-2000 Pro and SB-3000 are designed for easy DIY setup, with helpful smartphone app guidance for optimal performance tuning.
Both the SB-2000 Pro and SB-3000 are built to last with 5-year warranties. SVS has a strong track record of reliability, and these models should provide 10+ years of service with proper care.
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: themasterswitch.com - audioholics.com - soundandvision.com - spacehifi.com.au - soundstageaccess.com - digitalcinema.com.au - richersounds.com - projectorscreen.com - audiosciencereview.com - crutchfield.com - avsforum.com - crutchfield.com - nfm.com - skybygramophone.com - futureaudiophile.com - svsound.com - themasterswitch.com - 3634088.app.netsuite.com - soundstageaccess.com - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - svsound.com
