Short answer: the JTR Speakers Kallos 12Sub. It ranks #2 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $3,699 and is still sold new; the SVS SB16-Ultra ranks #89 (rated 4.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The SVS SB16-Ultra’s replacement, the SVS SB17-Ultra R-Evolution, is rated 4.1/5 at $2,699.
What the JTR Speakers Kallos 12Sub does well: A compact sealed 12 inch subwoofer with a very powerful amplifier, smooth tuning and high output in a Baltic birch cabinet. Watch for: Erin’s Audio Corner tested it outdoors on video, but CEA-2010 output figures in the form the other subwoofers here are ranked on haven’t been published, so it can’t be placed against them.
Why pick the SVS SB16-Ultra: A sealed 16 inch subwoofer with forceful, punchy bass for movies and music, now discontinued but worth buying used. The tradeoff: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority.
Buy the JTR Speakers Kallos 12Sub. It is rated higher for sound quality; the SVS SB16-Ultra is no longer sold new.
About the ratings: the JTR Speakers Kallos 12Sub’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.3 to 4.7, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JTR Speakers Kallos 12Sub | SVS SB16-Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,699 | $2,300 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #89 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Warranty | 5/3 | 5 |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver | 16” (406mm) driver |
| Amplifier Power | 2000W RMS (Class D) | - |
| Frequency Response | 22Hz - 800Hz (+/-3dB outdoor) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Dimensions | 18.7”H x 18.7”W x 12.8”D (476 x 476 x 324 mm) | 20”H x 19.5”W x 20.1”D (508.0 x 495.3 x 510.5 mm) |
| Cabinet Material | Stacked Baltic birch | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | - | 86.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 91.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | - | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 103.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | - | 109.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | - | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | - | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | - | 119.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | - | 119.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | - | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 119.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 119.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | - | 119.0 dB |
| Weight | - | 121.9 lbs (55.3 kg) |
| Cabinet Color | - | black |
| Measurement Source | - | Audioholics |
| Inputs | - | XLR (balanced, LFE/stereo), RCA (LFE/stereo) |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| RCA Input | - | Yes |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JTR Speakers Kallos 12Sub: reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- SVS SB16-Ultra: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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