Energy XL S12 vs SVS PB1000

[Dean Kurtz]

I have a 20 year old Energy XLS 12 sub with a chance to get a SVS PB 1000. Amazingly the Energy still works great. With the newer tech, would that be a step up?

 

[Eppie]

Specs on the Energy XLS12 that I could find:

• 12" driver
• Nominal (RMS) Output Power: 150 Watt
• Max (RMS) Output Power: 600 Watt (MOSFET class A/B)
• -3dB Frequency Response: 20 - 100 Hz
• Crossover Frequency: 80Hz, 50 - 100Hz
• Magnetic Shield: Yes
• Audio Amplifier: Integrated
• Connectivity Technology: Wired
• Controls: Power on/off, volume, subwoofer phase, subwoofer cut frequency

SVS PB1000:

• 10" driver
• Sledge STA-300D with 300 watts RMS continuous power (720 watts peak dynamic power). Class D topology.
• Green standby mode with less than 0.5 watts consumption.
• Frequency response 19 - 270 Hz +/- 3 dB
• Stereo line-level RCA Input & 80Hz High Pass Filtered Output connections.
• Stereo speaker level 5-way binding post input connections.
• Continuously variable low pass filter frequency with disable/LFE setting.
• Continuously variable volume and phase controls.

Even though the driver is smaller, the SVS is still rated down to 19Hz but your Energy is rated down to 20 Hz so pretty close. Little more amplifier power in the SVS and with the newer design the SVS might have better dynamics at high volume. Much of the improvement in modern subwoofers is in the driver. Based on the specs, the SVS might be a little better but likely not something that would be very noticeable at nominal levels. 20 years is getting old for a subwoofer so if the PB1000 is a really good deal, might be wise to grab it as a backup.

 

[Dean Kurtz]

Thanks. My son wanted to upgrade and give it to me for free. I didn't want him to do that if I didn't need it. I was going to wait a while and get a sb2000.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I would expect the svs to perform better almost everywhere. Meaning output, actual extension, and linearity.
Guessing by the model number, I’d say the energy is sealed. So if that’s right, it’s 20hz rating will be down considerably from the SVS’s 19hz.

 

[Dean Kurtz]

It's ported on the rear. Good for it's time. But I'm sure most of the better brands would be much better. I'm amazed it still works and the surround on the woofer is still good.

 

[afterlife2]

Is it for music or movies? SB for music and PB for both. I had a PB and loved it. Energy make great subs. I found two used 8 inch and they kick butt.

 

[Eppie]

If the specs are accurate, the Energy is down -3db at 20Hz and the SVS is also down about -3dB at 19Hz but the SVS likely rolls off less steeply below the stated ratings. Take the room size into account when choosing a replacement. The PB1000 and SB2000 are good for small to medium size rooms. I have the SB2000Pro and chose it because I have limited space. In general, the ported version will perform better and you should consider ported if you have the space.

 

[Dean Kurtz]

Right now I have a pretty big room, but I'm renting-so who knows what's next. I mostly use it for music. The wife does not like the sub much for movies. I don't get it, but I used to use this with Infinity Kappa 9a's. Maybe burnt her out with too much bass.

 

[Eppie]

Right now I have a pretty big room, but I'm renting-so who knows what's next. I mostly use it for music. The wife does not like the sub much for movies. I don't get it, but I used to use this with Infinity Kappa 9a's. Maybe burnt her out with too much bass.

My wife gets motion sickness on aircraft and very winding roads. She also does not like very deep bass and I think the two are related. Nice thing with the SVS Pro series is that there is a phone app and I can easily adjust the sub by a few dB as needed.

 

[Dean Kurtz]

That actually sounds like a great idea.

 

[lovinthehd]

PB1000 or PB1000Pro? Not quite the same sub....

 

[Dean Kurtz]

It's the old one. PB1000

 

[lovinthehd]

It's the old one. PB1000

Just checking as it does make a difference.....

 

[Dean Kurtz]

I think I'll wait until I can get a better one. Only waited 20 years so far. Hopefully the new ones are made to last too.

 

[lovinthehd]

I think I'll wait until I can get a better one. Only waited 20 years so far. Hopefully the new ones are made to last too.

Patience is a good thing, particularly when "upgrading"

 

[Dean Kurtz]

Rythmic looks good. So do the SVS for the price.

 

[lovinthehd]

Rythmic looks good. So do the SVS for the price.

I'd keep Hsu and RSL and Monolith subs on the list. You in the US?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Rythmic looks good. So do the SVS for the price.

For me Rythmik is better overall value. Svs has the app, but it doesn’t fit my use case, so I don’t find value in it. But for some, it’s super awesome, plus the free trial etc. all that stuff is baked into the price though, so… there’s that.
HSU is always a good choice, and Monolith has really been delivering great subs at reasonable prices.

 

[Dean Kurtz]

If mostly for music blending, not cranking bass on movies, what is best?

 

[lovinthehd]

Blending is more in your setup/equipment/use, doesn't need to be cranked for performance. A good sub is capable aside from basic accuracy in two main ways, extension (how low does it need to go) and spl (how loud at what frequencies do you need?)