Short answer: the SVS 3000 Micro. It ranks #6 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $999; the Focal Sub Air ranks #23, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the SVS 3000 Micro does well: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 90.6 dB at 20 Hz and 113.5 dB through 40-80 Hz. 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.
What the Focal Sub Air does well: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. Watch for: Without a published 20 Hz output result, deep-bass capability is less certain than its midbass figure.
Buy the SVS 3000 Micro. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Sub Air and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| SVS 3000 Micro | Focal Sub Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.00 | $1,399.00 |
| Ranked | #6 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #23 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported, side |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 90.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 92.9 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 98.3 dB | 91.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 103.6 dB | 100.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 110.7 dB | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 117.5 dB | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 122.1 dB | 114.3 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 113.5 dB | 109.0 dB |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 11.7”W x 10.7”D (276.9 x 297.2 x 271.8 mm) | 16.1”H x 14.2”W x 6.3”D (408.9 x 360.7 x 160.0 mm) |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | 1(or3) |
| Cabinet Color | black, white | black |
| Country | United States | France |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Brent Butterworth |
| Drivers | 2x 8” (203mm) driver | 8” (203mm) driver |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How SVS 3000 Micro compares with other leading options:
- SVS 3000 Micro vs SVS SB-1000
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Onkyo SKW-204
- SVS 3000 Micro vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Klipsch Flexus Sub 100
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The Two Speakers In Full
SVS 3000 Micro: $999.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 90.6 dB at 20 Hz and 113.5 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 8” (203mm) 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 276.9H x 297.2W x 271.8D mm cabinet and 10.2 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Full SVS 3000 Micro review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 113.5 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black, white |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 11.7”W x 10.7”D (276.9 x 297.2 x 271.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” (203mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 90.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 92.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 98.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 103.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 110.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 117.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 122.1 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 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 3000 Micro vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Onkyo SKW-204
- SVS 3000 Micro vs SVS SB-1000
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Klipsch Flexus Sub 100
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Polk Audio PSW10
- SVS 3000 Micro vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- SVS 3000 Micro vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- See all 15 comparisons
Focal Sub Air: $1,399.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, side enclosure with 8” (203mm) driver is intended to add useful bass support without a full-size cabinet.
Cons: Without a published 20 Hz output result, deep-bass capability is less certain than its midbass figure. The 408.9H x 360.7W x 160.0D mm cabinet and 7.7 kg mass still need careful placement and calibration.
Notes: low profile (<8in)
Full Focal Sub Air review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 109.0 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | France |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 14.2”W x 6.3”D (408.9 x 360.7 x 160.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, side |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 91.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 100.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 114.3 dB |
| Warranty | 1(or3) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 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