SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer Review & Comments

[Steve Withers]

SVS's latest subwoofer the SB-3000 uses a new high-excursion 13-inch driver and promises an 'iron fist inside a velvet glove'. Hyperbole or fact? Let's find out if it lands a KO punch.
Read the review.

Write your own review for SVS SB-3000

 

[daveb975]

Great review, thanks.

One small point on the comparison with the SB4000 - the price of that one seems to be £1,799 rather than £1,399 as stated, unless I am missing an offer somewhere?

You say that it doesn't sound like a lightweight version of the SB-4000, so does it offer enough to justify the £450 extra?

For some reason the black ash finish seems to be the same price as the gloss on the SB-4000, so the difference between the two models in that finish is £525.

I love the SVS kit, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. My SB-13 Ultra (predecessor to the SB-4000) is three years old now, and has been brilliant.

It replaced an SB12+ which must be approaching ten years old now and still provides excellent sound in another system.

 

[DodgeTheViper]

I’ve always liked the look of the SVS Subs but as Steve says, I hate the grilles also. I can’t recall one of their Subs having a particularly bad review either, especially this latest range from them.

I still fancy trying a couple out.

 

[TarPot]

Great review. I have the SB-4000 and think it's great.

I was sceptical about the grille. But once I set it up and saw it in the flesh, I quite liked it.

I too was going to ask where is the SB-4000 for £1399.

 

[DodgeTheViper]

Great review. I have the SB-4000 and think it's great.

I was sceptical about the grille. But once I set it up and saw it in the flesh, I quite liked it.

I too was going to ask when is the SB-4000 £1399.

If you don’t mind me asking. What part of the country are you in ? A rough idea will do

Cheers

 

[lgans316]

I'd say SVS has achieved its goal of creating a serious sub with a limited footprint.

Agree. They somehow manage to do this and they blend into our smaller UK rooms quite well.

 

[Steve Withers]

Sorry gents that price was a typo, as you point out the SB-4000 is £1,799. As to whether the SB-4000 is worth the extra, unfortunately I can't say for sure. I've tested the PB-4000 and PC-4000, but I haven't had a chance to review the SB-4000. However based on those two, if you've got the extra cash I doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[darksideofthe]

I currently have a PC-2000. Do you think this would be a significant upgrade? I don't have room for the PB-3000 and the PC-4000 is just too tall for the missus. Such a shame they didn't do a PC-3000 to complete the range.

 

[Coulson]

This is more like it. I just wish:
a. I could afford one of these.
b. BK can supply some subs to compare against these obviously great subs.
c. I've just realised that Ed reviewed my BK in 2015. Guess what score it got lol.
d. I love this quote from a separate review:
"The speed of this woofer is startling – it’s like a fast car with a big engine and yet terrifying brakes"

 

[Scott_Mac]

I know of at least one user on here who has one! I traded my unused one for a Sub2. Was impressed with the SB2000 but never got to try out the 3000 before moving it on (decor related reasons...)

 

[daveb975]

This is more like it. I just wish:
a. I could afford one of these.
b. BK can supply some subs to compare against these obviously great subs.
c. I've just realised that Ed reviewed my sub in 2015. Guess what score it got lol.

Agree on the BK point. I love the SVS subwoofers, but they are a lot more expensive than BK once they are landed in the UK. The SB-3000 is $1,100 in the States and £1,400 over here.

I have got a BK XXLS400 in another system and it is excellent value at £450. I'm sure the SB-2000 is a bit better, but it is nearing twice the price.

If BK could translate that type of value into a sub the level of the SB-3000, it would probably cost £800. You'd lose out on the app control and other tech, but performance for the money would be amazing.

 

[lgans316]

I currently have a PC-2000. Do you think this would be a significant upgrade? I don't have room for the PB-3000 and the PC-4000 is just too tall for the missus. Such a shame they didn't do a PC-3000 to complete the range.

Same feelings here but the PC-2000 is ported and can dig 1 Hz lower than SB-3000.

Do a bass test in your room and you will notice the PC-2000 getting quite loud until 17 Hz and then gradually dropping off but pushing enough air to the rattle loose things and fixtures around until 10 Hz (throwing room gain into the mix as well).

If I were to upgrade, I would go for another cylinder or a sealed SVS like this due to its form factor and ability to go ultrasonic without breaking the bank too much.

 

[vkvedam]

I don't like the fact we are being charged a lot more for these US/Canada based ones, REL used to be UK based and after being sold now they are also doing the same.

$1≠ £1, simple. Why can't we be buying the ones based in the UK?

 

[DodgeTheViper]

I don't like the fact we are being charged a lot more for these US/Canada based ones, REL used to be UK based and after being sold now they are also doing the same.

$1≠ £1, simple. Why can't we be buying the ones based in the UK?

Oh not this old chestnut again.

Because it's not a case of making a 'simple' equation like you have said above.

 

[Steve Withers]

Same feelings here but the PC-2000 is ported and can dig 1 Hz lower than SB-3000.

Do a bass test in your room and you will notice the PC-2000 getting quite loud until 17 Hz and then gradually dropping off but pushing enough air to the rattle loose things and fixtures around until 10 Hz (throwing room gain into the mix as well).

If I were to upgrade, I would go for another cylinder or a sealed SVS like this due to its form factor and ability to go ultrasonic without breaking the bank too much.

SVS's cylindrical subs are awesome. The PC-4000 really impressed me with its depth, and the fact it went that low in a form factor that's less intrusive compared to the PB-4000.

 

[Steve Withers]

I currently have a PC-2000. Do you think this would be a significant upgrade? I don't have room for the PB-3000 and the PC-4000 is just too tall for the missus. Such a shame they didn't do a PC-3000 to complete the range.

It is a shame there's no PC-3000, I love SVS's cylindrical subs. From memory (and it's worth noting I reviewed the SB-2000 five years ago), I do think the SB-3000 would make for a decent upgrade.

 

[daveb975]

I don't like the fact we are being charged a lot more for these US/Canada based ones, REL used to be UK based and after being sold now they are also doing the same.

$1≠ £1, simple. Why can't we be buying the ones based in the UK?

One of the problems is that $1 is much closer to £1 than it was a few years ago. When you add on duty/VAT costs and shipping at both ends, it will likely tip it over $1:£1.

The $1.1k to £1.4k we are seeing here might be a little bit toppy, but is there a direct competitor that is manufactured in the UK given that BK don't do one?

 

[lgans316]

These subs are cheap stateside but the prices here are rip off. Maybe if we do hard brexit, we could strike a trade deal with the US for duty free import.

 

[DodgeTheViper]

I think the biggest thing we miss out on is a 45 day buy and try home trial.
It could work with just a few units made available for the purpose. Yes there would be a waiting list and would take some organising and obviously a cost to someone. But . . .

 

[SonOfSJ]

It is a shame there's no PC-3000, I love SVS's cylindrical subs.

So do I -thrice!

 

[TarPot]

If you don’t mind me asking. What part of the country are you in ? A rough idea will do

Cheers

Milton Keynes area.

 

[meagabyte]

I love SVS and have been toying with the idea of replacing my PC2000 with something from PSA.
I wonder how the SB3000 compares against the S1510.

 

[Coulson]

... I love SVS's cylindrical subs.

Why would you go with a girly sub like that when you can have a sub that looks like a side cabinet. A man's sub!

 

[Steve Withers]

Why would you go with a girly sub like that when you can have a sub that looks like a side cabinet. A man's sub!

The PB-4000 is literally the size of a chest freezer, and I feared for the integrity of my house (not to mention my back) when I had it in for review.

 

[vkvedam]

The $1.1k to £1.4k we are seeing here might be a little bit toppy, but is there a direct competitor that is manufactured in the UK given that BK don't do one?

Correct! I am not asking for something made in the UK as most stuff is made in far east nowadays anyway. It astonishes me people charging more to sell it here as compared to the states excluding the VAT factor. Take for example KEF or Fyne which got reviewed quite recently. Prices would reflect the forex and we don't get ripped off.

If not mistaken some firms from the far east (Japan) don't charge people extra for being sold in the UK or EU. VAT is a different matter altogether. Is it dealership margin to blame partially?