Short answer: the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X is the stronger midbass-output subwoofer, while the SVS SB-3000 reaches lower and offers more precise user control for less. The sealed 15-inch Dynamo delivers 120.5dB across 40 to 80Hz, can be configured forward or down firing, and includes Anthem Room Correction through its app.

The sealed 13-inch SB-3000 trades some 40 to 80Hz output for stronger 15Hz output, a five-year warranty, and three-band parametric EQ with 1Hz adjustment. Its measured average is 118.7dB, but it is considerably smaller and costs $1099 versus $1606.77.
Room and listening priorities decide this one. The Dynamo is compelling when higher upper-bass output and ARC integration are valuable; the SB-3000 is the more flexible choice for deep effects and manual calibration.
Buy the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X if you want the 15-inch driver’s stronger 40 to 80Hz output and Anthem Room Correction.
Buy the SVS SB-3000 if you want deeper 15Hz performance, compact dimensions and detailed onboard EQ at a lower price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X | SVS SB-3000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,606.77 | $1,099.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #14 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 86.2 dB | 90.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 99.4 dB | 96.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 103.9 dB | 101.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.7 dB | 107.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.4 dB | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 121.0 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.8 dB | 120.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.0 dB | 120.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.2 dB | 120.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.0 dB | 120.7 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.5 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Dimensions | 20.1"H x 17.9"W x 19.1"D (510.5 x 454.7 x 485.1 mm) | 15.6"H x 15.2"W x 15.7"D (396.2 x 386.1 x 398.8 mm) |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) | 54.5 lbs (24.7 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 20-200Hz, ±3dB | 18-270Hz, ±3dB |
| Amplifier Power | 900W RMS / 1800W peak | 800W RMS / 2500W peak |
| Inputs | RCA (stereo and LFE), XLR (LFE), speaker-level (banana) | RCA (unbalanced), USB |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 13" (330mm) driver |
| 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 | - |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 30-200Hz adjustable, 6/12/18/24dB slopes |
| Phase Control | - | 0°-180° |
| Features | - | Auto/On, 3-12V AC/DC trigger |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X:
- JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO vs MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X
- HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Monoprice SW-12
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Paradigm Defiance X12
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X: $1,606.77 eBay
Pros: Sealed 15-inch with 900W RMS, 1800W peak delivers forceful clean tight low bass. Easily configurable as forward-firing or down-firing. Smartphone app with Anthem Room Correction (ARC) optimizes bass across room. Wireless capable with optional SWT-X module.
Cons: Ported design room integration needs, mid-range 121.5 dB output, and $1607 price.
Full MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 900W RMS / 1800W peak |
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.5 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 20.1"H x 17.9"W x 19.1"D (510.5 x 454.7 x 485.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 20-200Hz, ±3dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (stereo and LFE), XLR (LFE), speaker-level (banana) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 86.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 99.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 103.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 121.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.0 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs HSU Research ULS-15 MK2
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Monoprice SW-12
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Paradigm Defiance X12
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15-BASE
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15SEICE-BASE
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Monoprice SW-15
- See all 48 comparisons
SVS SB-3000: $1,099.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 13-inch sealed design with 800W RMS (2500W peak) that Audioholics measured at a 118.7dB CEA-2010-A average from 40-80Hz, and rated by SVS at 18-270Hz within ±3dB. Beautifully made with pinpoint control and flawless tonal accuracy. Sweet spot performance-to-value ratio. Three-band parametric EQ with 1Hz precision adjustment.
Cons: Being sealed, it gives up deep-bass output: Audioholics measured 96.6dB at 20Hz and 101.7dB at 25Hz, about 15dB behind the ported SVS PB-3000 from the same series, so a large room or reference-level movie bass may call for a second sub.
Full SVS SB-3000 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 800W RMS / 2500W peak |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 118.7 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Crossover Frequency | 30-200Hz adjustable, 6/12/18/24dB slopes |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 15.2"W x 15.7"D (396.2 x 386.1 x 398.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 13" (330mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Features | Auto/On, 3-12V AC/DC trigger |
| Frequency Response | 18-270Hz, ±3dB |
| Inputs | RCA (unbalanced), USB |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 101.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 120.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 120.7 dB |
| Phase Control | 0°-180° |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 54.5 lbs (24.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS SB-3000 vs Monoprice SW-15
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15SEICE-BASE
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15-BASE
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15-BASE
- SVS SB-3000 vs Paradigm Defiance X12
- SVS SB-3000 vs Klipsch SPL-120
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
- See all 88 comparisons

