Short answer: the SVS PB-1000 PRO. Both are rated 3.8/5 for sound quality (#51 and #82 of 212 subwoofers), and the SVS PB-1000 PRO costs $849 against $899 for the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer: The 12” subwoofer of Polk’s Signature Elite range, replacing the Polk Audio HTS 12. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 12 it replaces (113.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands); its 300W amplifier should give it a little more output.
Why pick the SVS PB-1000 PRO: Ported 12-inch with 325W RMS delivers guttural low extension to 17Hz.
Buy the SVS PB-1000 PRO. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $50 less than the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer.
Worth knowing: the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.4 to 4.0, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer | SVS PB-1000 PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 | $849.00 |
| Ranked | #82 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #51 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 19”H x 14.3”W x 19”D (483 x 363 x 483 mm) | 18.9”H x 15”W x 20”D (480.1 x 381.0 x 508.0 mm) |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Warranty | 5/3 | 5 |
| Enclosure | ported | ported, front |
| Drivers | 12” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer | 12” (305mm) driver with ported design |
| Amplifier Power | 300W Class D | 325W RMS |
| Frequency Response | 22-250Hz (manufacturer specified) | 17-260Hz, ±3dB |
| Weight | 47.6 lbs (21.6 kg) | 42.5 lbs (19.3 kg) |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | - | 96.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 104.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | - | 110.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | - | 110.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | - | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | - | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | - | 117.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | - | 116.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 115.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 115.3 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | - | 115.9 dB |
| Cabinet Color | - | black |
| Measurement Source | - | Audioholics |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How SVS PB-1000 PRO compares with other leading options:
- JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO vs SVS PB-1000 PRO
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs SVS PB-1000 PRO
- HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 vs SVS PB-1000 PRO
- Monoprice SW-12 vs SVS PB-1000 PRO
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15 vs SVS PB-1000 PRO
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer: $899.00 Estimated World Wide Stereo eBay
Same family: the Polk Signature Elite ES10 (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES15 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES20 (largest bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES50 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES55 (floorstanding, estimated 4/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES60 (largest floorstanding, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.2/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Pros: The 12” subwoofer of Polk’s Signature Elite range, replacing the Polk Audio HTS 12. A 12” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer with two internal Power Ports is driven by a 300W Class D amplifier with 32-bit DSP and Time-Smart phase control, rated down to 22Hz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 12 it replaces (113.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands); its 300W amplifier should give it a little more output.
Full Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2024 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 300W Class D |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 19”H x 14.3”W x 19”D (483 x 363 x 483 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 22-250Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 47.6 lbs (21.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
SVS PB-1000 PRO: $849.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the SVS PB12-NSD (ranked lower, rated 3.7/5) and the SVS PB-1000 (ranked lower, rated 3.6/5). See every SVS subwoofers generation.
Same family: the SVS PB-2000 PRO (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, rated 3.9/5), the SVS SB-1000 PRO (larger subwoofer, rated 3.7/5), the SVS SB-2000 Pro (larger subwoofer, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5) and the SVS PC-2000 Pro (larger subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: Ported 12-inch with 325W RMS delivers guttural low extension to 17Hz. Shakes things up like pricier competitors at 1/3 cost. Dual high-grade ferrite magnets with FEA-optimized motor. SVS app control.
Full SVS PB-1000 PRO review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 325W RMS |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.9 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 18.9”H x 15”W x 20”D (480.1 x 381.0 x 508.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver with ported design |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Frequency Response | 17-260Hz, ±3dB |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 96.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 104.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 110.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 110.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 117.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 116.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 115.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 115.3 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 42.5 lbs (19.3 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 PB-1000 PRO vs SVS SB-2000 Pro
- SVS PB-1000 PRO vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE
- SVS PB-1000 PRO vs Klipsch RP-1200SW
- SVS PB-1000 PRO vs KRK S12.4
- SVS PB-1000 PRO vs Rythmik F12
- SVS PB-1000 PRO vs Klipsch SPL-120
- SVS PB-1000 PRO vs SVS SB-3000
- SVS PB-1000 PRO vs Monoprice SW-15
- See all 20 comparisons