Short answer: the SVS SB-3000 if sound quality matters most, the Polk Audio HTS 12 if price matters most. The SVS SB-3000 ranks #14 of 145 subwoofers at $1099. The Polk Audio HTS 12 ranks #64 at $550, $549 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 Polk Audio HTS 12 offers: 12-inch ported with 200W RMS delivers deep bass extension improving over 10-inch model. Handles most home theater content with conviction in medium-sized rooms. Reliable mid-tier performance from trusted brand. Watch for: No detailed measurement caveats are currently recorded.
Buy the SVS SB-3000 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Polk Audio HTS 12 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| SVS SB-3000 | Polk Audio HTS 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.00 | $550 |
| Ranked | #14 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #64 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 101.7 dB | 99.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.8 dB | 106.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.6 dB | 110.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.7 dB | 114.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 120.7 dB | 115.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.9 dB | 114.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.8 dB | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 120.7 dB | 112.4 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 118.7 dB | 113.5 dB |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 15.2"W x 15.7"D (396.2 x 386.1 x 398.8 mm) | 18.5"H x 17.1"W x 18.1"D (469.9 x 434.8 x 460.0 mm) |
| Weight | 54.5 lbs (24.7 kg) | 49.8 lbs (22.6 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | 5/3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black, wood |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 18-270Hz, ±3dB | 22-180Hz |
| Amplifier Power | 800W RMS / 2500W peak | 200W 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs SVS SB-3000
- HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 vs SVS SB-3000
- 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) XV15SEICE-BASE
- 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
- See all 88 comparisons
Polk Audio HTS 12: $550 eBay
Pros: 12-inch ported with 200W RMS delivers deep bass extension improving over 10-inch model. Handles most home theater content with conviction in medium-sized rooms. Reliable mid-tier performance from trusted brand.
Full Polk Audio HTS 12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W RMS |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 113.5 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 18.5"H x 17.1"W x 18.1"D (469.9 x 434.8 x 460.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Frequency Response | 22-180Hz |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 99.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 106.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 110.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 115.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 114.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 112.4 dB |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 49.8 lbs (22.6 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