Short answer: the Behringer B2030P. It ranks #57 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $220; the SVS Prime Bookshelf ranks #63 and costs $699, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Behringer B2030P gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows strong horizontal directivity control, keeping the response nearly constant off-axis through most of the audible spectrum, with a wide beamwidth that eases seating position and toe-in requirements. The catch: A resonance around 800Hz shows up clearly in the on-axis response and the waterfall/CSD plot, and the flat, near-horizontal predicted in-room response makes it sound bright without an equalization target curve.
On the SVS Prime Bookshelf side: Reasonable sensitivity for the price at about 87dB, and the 6.5” woofer sits in its own dedicated sealed sub-compartment inside the cabinet for cleaner midrange/bass separation. Set against that: A scooped mid-range paired with a boosted upper mid-range creates an audibly uneven tonal balance, and there’s an additional dip in the treble around 4-5kHz that reads as slightly tinny relative to the recessed mid-range.
Buy the Behringer B2030P. It ranks higher for sound quality than the SVS Prime Bookshelf and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Behringer B2030P | SVS Prime Bookshelf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220 Discontinued | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #57 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #63 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 72Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.75" woofer, 0.75" ferrofluid-cooled tweeter | 6.5" polypropylene cone woofer with aluminum shorting ring (sealed sub-compartment), 1" aluminum dome tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in | - |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7.0 kg each | 15.5 lbs (15.5 lbs / 7.03 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 48Hz - 25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | up to 100W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot | - |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 87dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 vs Revel Performa M22
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 vs Polk Reserve R100
- JBL Studio 630 vs Infinity IL10
- JBL Studio 630 vs Behringer B2030P
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Polk Monitor XT20
The Two Speakers In Full
Behringer B2030P: $220 Discontinued
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows strong horizontal directivity control, keeping the response nearly constant off-axis through most of the audible spectrum, with a wide beamwidth that eases seating position and toe-in requirements. Distortion measurements hold up well against the pricier Revel M106 at both 86dB and 106dB SPL. With EQ to tame a resonance around 800Hz and a bit of a bass fill, the reviewer called it a “winner” that could play loud without bottoming out.
Cons: A resonance around 800Hz shows up clearly in the on-axis response and the waterfall/CSD plot, and the flat, near-horizontal predicted in-room response makes it sound bright without an equalization target curve. Vertical directivity is only typical, not exceptional. Long discontinued - the reviewer noted you’ll have to hunt for a used pair. Discontinued.
Full Behringer B2030P review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 79Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.5H x 8.4W x 8.3D in |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.75" woofer, 0.75" ferrofluid-cooled tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | up to 100W |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs / 7.0 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, vertical slot |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Behringer B2030P vs JBL Studio 630
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SVS Prime Bookshelf: $699.00 Amazon
Pros: Reasonable sensitivity for the price at about 87dB, and the 6.5” woofer sits in its own dedicated sealed sub-compartment inside the cabinet for cleaner midrange/bass separation. Overall response stays within about ±3dB from 80Hz-16kHz, which the reviewer calls reasonable for the price point. Wide, consistent horizontal radiation. Toeing the speakers 30 degrees off-axis smooths the in-room response noticeably if the on-axis tonal balance isn’t to your taste.
Cons: A scooped mid-range paired with a boosted upper mid-range creates an audibly uneven tonal balance, and there’s an additional dip in the treble around 4-5kHz that reads as slightly tinny relative to the recessed mid-range. Measured minimum impedance dips below 4 ohms (EPDR even lower), so an 8-ohm-only amplifier or AVR may struggle - a 4-ohm-stable amp or separate amplification is recommended. Bass extension is modest (F3 72Hz, F10 49Hz measured) - SVS clearly designed this to be paired with one of their subwoofers rather than to stand fully alone. Compared directly against its pricier sibling, the SVS Ultra Bookshelf, in the same review, the reviewer found the Ultra noticeably more tonally neutral.
Full SVS Prime Bookshelf review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" polypropylene cone woofer with aluminum shorting ring (sealed sub-compartment), 1" aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 25kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 15.5 lbs (15.5 lbs / 7.03 kg) each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs KEF Q3 Meta
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- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Polk Monitor XT20
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Focal Aria 906
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Infinity IL10
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Revel Performa M22
- See all 18 comparisons