Klipsch and SVS are two of the biggest and most well-known subwoofer brands on the market. Both are known for their quality and performance in the sound department, used by experts and professionals around the world.
So both are great choices, but which is right for your home? Let’s take a look at our top picks from each brand based on the overall value and see how they compare to one another.
Klipsch vs SVS Subwoofer
Things To Consider When Choosing A Subwoofer
You might have only just heard about a subwoofer and may still be considering whether it is the right choice for you. So what are the things that you should think about before buying a subwoofer?
Budget
Like with all big purchase decisions, it’s important to decide on a price you’re happy to spend before you decide to start looking at options. With so many great choices on the market, it can be easy to get lost in the sea of choices.
With prices ranging from $50 to up to $2000, you can get lots of quality subwoofers for the price you’re happy with.
Power
Choosing a subwoofer that has a certain level of power is important for your home. Subwoofers can range from 100-1000 watts, so choosing one that isn’t too loud or too powerful might be a good choice for your setup.
The higher the wattage, the more powerful the subwoofer. A subwoofer with high wattage can really shake up a room and you will really feel the vibrations pass through.
Do you have neighbors that won’t appreciate hearing the thumping sounds of a heavy bass coming from your living room? Power is definitely something to think about before you pull the trigger.
Room Size
Getting the right acoustics for your home theatre system is a must if you want to have the best possible experience. Ultimately, the room you choose to have your subwoofer will have a key impact on the performance you get from it.
Now, before you go taking down walls or moving house, it’s important to understand that you can find a subwoofer that works for your specific room.
Perhaps you don’t want to see lots of wires as your room is a little smaller – a wireless subwoofer could be the best choice.
Or maybe you’ve got a home theatre room which is large and spacious. You’ll probably want a couple of powerful subwoofers for that epic bass sound.
Either way, it’s always good to have a look at your room first and begin to get an understanding of what would work best before making a choice.
Klipsch vs SVS Subwoofer – Which Is Best?
Now we know what to look for when choosing a new subwoofer for your home, which is better, a Klipsh subwoofer or a SVS subwoofer?
Here’s a look at our favorite models from both brands.
Klipsch R-121SW Subwoofer
A standout pick for those that want something that will turn your home audio from damp and cloudy to vibrant and bouncing. At a great price, the R-121SW Subwoofer is our top pick from Klipsch.
Klipsch R-121SW Subwoofer
The Klipsch R-121SW is one of the two new offerings in the Reference series subwoofers. It has a more modern, streamlined design with some new features to improve the sound experience.
It has revamped spun-copper thermoformed crystalline polymer (TCP) woofers, which further help reduce distortion.
Specifications
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 28Hz – 120Hz |
| MAXIMUM ACOUSTIC OUTPUT | 118dB |
| AMPLIFIER TYPE | All digital |
| AMPLIFIER POWER | 200W / 400W |
| WOOFER | 12″ high excursion spun-copper TCP woofer |
| ENCLOSURE MATERIAL | MDF |
| ENCLOSURE TYPE | Bass Reflex |
| INPUTS | Line-level/LFE RCA jacks |
| HEIGHT | 16.6” (421 mm) |
| WIDTH | 16” (406 mm) |
| DEPTH | 19.7” ( 500 mm) |
| WEIGHT | 35 lbs (16.0 kg) |
| FINISH | Black Textured Wood Grain Vinyl |
Key Features
- 12-inch high-performance driver
- Spun-copper TCP woofer
- All-digital amplifier
- Reinforced MDF construction
- Low pass crossover and phase control
- Low-profile grille
This best Klipsch subwoofer is similar to its predecessor, the R-120SW. However, it has an improved driver and woofer, which allows it to produce an even cleaner base with a frequency response as low as 28 Hz.
The size is also slightly different, as this one is a little bit bigger and heavier. The construction is based on MDF with a vinyl finish that’s scratch-resistant. So in terms of its design, it’s similar to other Reference series subs. Still, the new construction is supposed to reduce cabinet vibrations.
The front-firing driver allows placement flexibility. It also has a front-mounted LED power indicator that tells whether the subwoofer is on or off. However, the inputs and controls are on the back.
Its all-digital amplifier has a 0/180 phase and auto power-on function.
Pros
- Cleaner bass
- Refined design
- Easy tuning
- No degradation or distortion
Cons
- Heavy
Our Verdict
Klipsch R-121SW Subwoofer
A standout pick for those that want something that will turn your home audio from damp and cloudy to vibrant and bouncing. At a great price, the R-121SW Subwoofer is our top pick from Klipsch.
The great thing about the Klipsch range is you know you’re going to get a subwoofer that can perform in every situation. The Klipsch R-121SW is fundamentally a brilliant subwoofer for many reasons, not just because the price is reasonable for the level of quality you’re getting. The bass sound is clean and the design looks super sleek. It’s very easy to tune and the chances of any distortion are slim to none. This Klipsch really is one of the best subwoofers on the market for an audio enthusiast that doesn’t want to pay the big prices for a professional-level sub.
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
Specification
| Model | SB-3000 |
| Power | 800 Watts |
| Type | Subwoofer |
| Connected By | Bluetooth |
| Dimensions | 15.7 by 15.2 by 15.6 inches |
| Weight | 61.7 pounds |
These speakers come with perfect sound and powerful room-shaking ability giving you a massive but effortless output. The SB-3000 is undoubtedly one of the subwoofers to rule them all, with excellent low-frequency responses you can’t find with other speakers.
Key Features
The SB-3000 has a great set of features that allow it to create such an immersive sound experience. The massive SPLs mean there’s no distortion and high throughput.
It also has a quick start and stops function to cut out the sound without any loss and with extreme precision. It’s therefore perfect for those who make or edit music. The Intelligent Integration from the Advanced DSP will help them blend seamlessly with all types of speakers.
The ideal thing about the SB-3000 is the sound output is never boomy. By this I mean it always seems to have a perfect balance, precisely what you need when mixing and producing audio.
The 13″ high excursion drive gives you fantastic sound with the lowest frequency, for those delicate bass noises and the Sledge Amplifier STA-800D2 gives vibrant power with unlimited control at 800 watts.
The SB-3000 is the ultimate choice subwoofer. It’s up there with the best on the market and that’s why it gets our best overall pick for SVS subwoofers.
Pros
- Comparable to the Velodyne and less than half the price
- Excellent bass for movies
- Mobile app to control the bass while watching
- Deep bass which is never harsh or boomy
Cons
- Pricey
Our Verdict
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
A sophisticated 800 watts RMS, 2,500+ watts peak power Sledge STA-800D2 DSP amplifier, innovative new 13-inch high-excursion SVS driver and an optimized sealed cabinet design take control of a room with deeper bass and higher output levels than what is typically possible from a relatively compact subwoofer.
For me, if you’re looking for the most premium and professional level of subwoofer, SVS takes the crown. It’s price is premium, but you really are getting movie theater quality sound, that taps into the richest of bass notes and take your listening experience to another level. The price ins’t for the faint hearted, however, the SB-3000 makes it as simple as possible to get the best out of your sound and truly shows why it’s the favored choice for musicians and sound pros across the globe.