Short answer: the SVS SB-3000 for better sound quality, the Emotiva S12 for the lower price. The SVS SB-3000 ranks #14 of 145 subwoofers at $1099. The Emotiva S12 ranks #91 at $449, $650 cheaper.
What the SVS SB-3000 offers: 13-inch sealed with 800W RMS (2500W peak) delivers 118.7dB average with exceptional accuracy. Beautifully made with pinpoint control and flawless tonal accuracy. Sweet spot performance-to-value ratio. Three-band parametric EQ with 1Hz precision adjustment. Watch for: Ported cabinet room-mode dependency, compact 25 kg size limits bass extension, and $1,100 investment.
What the Emotiva S12 offers: Rear-ported, 300W class-D amplifier. 12” high-excursion driver with 25-150Hz response. Great value at $399 with more output than close competitors. Easy to use multiple subs together. Watch for: No detailed measurement caveats are currently recorded.
Buy the SVS SB-3000 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Emotiva S12 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| SVS SB-3000 | Emotiva S12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.00 | $449 |
| Ranked | #14 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #91 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | passive radiator |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.3 dB | 86.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.6 dB | 95.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 101.7 dB | 101.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.8 dB | 106.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.6 dB | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.7 dB | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 120.7 dB | 112.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.9 dB | 112.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.8 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 120.7 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 118.7 dB | 111.4 dB |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 15.2"W x 15.7"D (396.2 x 386.1 x 398.8 mm) | 17.4"H x 15.7"W x 16.9"D (441.2 x 400.0 x 428.5 mm) |
| Weight | 54.5 lbs (24.7 kg) | 66.1 lbs (30.0 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Brent Butterworth |
| Frequency Response | 18-270Hz, ±3dB | 25-150Hz |
| Amplifier Power | 800W RMS / 2500W peak | 300W RMS |
| Crossover Frequency | 30-200Hz adjustable, 6/12/18/24dB slopes | - |
| Inputs | RCA (unbalanced), USB | - |
| Phase Control | 0°-180° | - |
| Features | Auto/On, 3-12V AC/DC trigger | - |
| Drivers | 13" (330mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
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- SVS SB-3000 vs PSB Speakers SubSeries 450
- Monoprice SW-12 vs SVS SB-3000
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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
SVS SB-3000: $1,099.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 13-inch sealed with 800W RMS (2500W peak) delivers 118.7dB average with exceptional accuracy. Beautifully made with pinpoint control and flawless tonal accuracy. Sweet spot performance-to-value ratio. Three-band parametric EQ with 1Hz precision adjustment.
Cons: Ported cabinet room-mode dependency, compact 25 kg size limits bass extension, and $1,100 investment.
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
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- 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
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Emotiva S12: $449 eBay
Pros: Rear-ported, 300W class-D amplifier. 12” high-excursion driver with 25-150Hz response. Great value at $399 with more output than close competitors. Easy to use multiple subs together.
Full Emotiva S12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 300W RMS |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.4 dB |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 17.4"H x 15.7"W x 16.9"D (441.2 x 400.0 x 428.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 25-150Hz |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 86.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 95.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 101.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 106.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 112.1 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 66.1 lbs (30.0 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