Short answer: the SVS SB-1000 PRO. Its 12-inch sealed driver returns a 113.9dB CEA-2010-A average, the highest output of any subwoofer in the under-30lb (13.6 kg) class, against the Polk PSW10’s lower 110.3 dB from a 100W Peak Class D amp. The PSW10 is the budget-tier option with ported placement demands, while the SVS is limited to 114 dB output and sensitive to room modes.
On the Polk Audio PSW10 side: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. The tradeoff: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $250 entry-level positioning.
The case for the SVS SB-1000 PRO: 12-inch sealed driver delivers 113.9dB CEA-2010-A average, the highest output of any subwoofer in the under-30lb (13.6 kg) weight class. Set against that: Compact ported design, room mode sensitivity, limited to 114 dB output, smaller than alternatives.
One note: the Polk Audio PSW10 is discontinued, but it still ranks #17 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Polk Audio PSW10 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the SVS SB-1000 PRO if sound quality matters more than the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio PSW10 | SVS SB-1000 PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 Discontinued | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #4 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 96.1 dB | 104.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 104.7 dB | 109.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.7 dB | 114.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.8 dB | 116.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.1 dB | 115.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 112.2 dB | 113.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.7 dB | 111.5 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.3 dB | 113.9 dB |
| Dimensions | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) | 13.5"H x 13"W x 14.8"D (342.9 x 330.2 x 374.9 mm) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 5/3 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black, white |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 91.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | - | 97.7 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How SVS SB-1000 PRO compares with other leading options:
- SVS SB-1000 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs Onkyo SKW-204
- SVS 3000 Micro vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Audio PSW10: $249.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. Deep bass capabilities are impressive with exceptional definition/control per CNet. Reduces distortion (uncommon at this price). Good hard clean bass performs well at higher volumes. Easy setup and affordable price consistently highlighted by thousands of buyers. Polk Power Port channels airflow cleanly for tighter bass without port noise. Best for average/small rooms and apartments.
Cons: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $249 entry-level positioning. Discontinued.
Full Polk Audio PSW10 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 96.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 104.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 112.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.7 dB |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by ErinsAudioCorner; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Klipsch HD Theater 600
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS 3000 Micro
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Onkyo SKW-204
- See all 12 comparisons
SVS SB-1000 PRO: $599.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 12-inch sealed driver delivers 113.9dB CEA-2010-A average, the highest output of any subwoofer in the under-30lb weight class. Sealed enclosure keeps bass tight and controlled for its compact footprint.
Cons: Compact ported design, room mode sensitivity, limited to 114 dB output, smaller than alternatives.
Full SVS SB-1000 PRO review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 113.9 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black, white |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 13"W x 14.8"D (342.9 x 330.2 x 374.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 91.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 104.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 109.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 116.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 115.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 113.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 111.5 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- 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
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs Onkyo SKW-204
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs SVS 3000 Micro
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs SVS SB-1000
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs Klipsch HD Theater 600
- See all 11 comparisons


