Short answer: the SVS SB-1000 for better sound quality, the Onkyo SKW-204 for the lower price. The SVS SB-1000 ranks #1 of 48 subwoofers at $500. The Onkyo SKW-204 ranks #3 at $299, $201 cheaper.
One note: the Onkyo SKW-204 is discontinued, but it still ranks #3 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Onkyo SKW-204 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the SVS SB-1000 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Onkyo SKW-204 | SVS SB-1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 Discontinued | $500 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #1 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 77.3 dB | 95.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 90.1 dB | 103.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 103.3 dB | 107.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.7 dB | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.0 dB | 118.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.6 dB | 118.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.4 dB | 116.5 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.9 dB | 116.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 18.6"H x 10.8"W x 16.9"D (472.9 x 274.6 x 428.5 mm) | 13.5"H x 13"W x 14"D (342.9 x 330.2 x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
| Cabinet Color | black | black, white |
| Country | Japan | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Brent Butterworth |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Warranty | - | 5 |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | - | 91.5 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How SVS SB-1000 compares with other leading options:
- SVS SB-1000 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- SVS 3000 Micro vs SVS SB-1000
- SVS SB-1000 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS SB-1000
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs SVS SB-1000
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Onkyo SKW-204: $299 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 77.3 dB at 20 Hz and 115.9 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 10” (254mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: 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. The 472.9H x 274.6W x 428.5D mm cabinet and 11.8 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration. Discontinued.
Full Onkyo SKW-204 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.9 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | Japan |
| Dimensions | 18.6"H x 10.8"W x 16.9"D (472.9 x 274.6 x 428.5 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 77.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 90.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 103.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.4 dB |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brent Butterworth; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs SVS 3000 Micro
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs Polk Audio PSW10
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- See all 10 comparisons
SVS SB-1000: $500 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 95.5 dB at 20 Hz and 116.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 12” (305mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: 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. The 342.9H x 330.2W x 355.6D mm cabinet and 12.2 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration. Discontinued.
Notes: Discontinued 2021-02-25 when SB-1000 PRO was released.
Full SVS SB-1000 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 116.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black, white |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 13"W x 14"D (342.9 x 330.2 x 355.6 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 91.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 95.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 103.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 118.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 116.5 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brent Butterworth; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS SB-1000 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- SVS SB-1000 vs SVS 3000 Micro
- SVS SB-1000 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- SVS SB-1000 vs Polk Audio PSW10
- SVS SB-1000 vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- SVS SB-1000 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- SVS SB-1000 vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- SVS SB-1000 vs Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt