Short answer: the SVS SB-3000. It ranks #14 of 145 subwoofers by sound quality at $1099; the REL Acoustics R-528 ranks #69 and costs $1999, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 REL Acoustics R-528 offers: 12-inch carbon-fiber passive radiator with 500W RMS Class D amp reaches 21Hz. Fast impulse response best in REL series. Breathtaking bass reach and low distortion in compact package. Speed and detail-oriented musicality. Premium fit and finish. Watch for: No detailed measurement caveats are currently recorded.
Buy the SVS SB-3000. It ranks higher for sound quality than the REL Acoustics R-528 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| SVS SB-3000 | REL Acoustics R-528 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.00 | $1999 |
| Ranked | #14 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #69 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | passive radiator |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 101.7 dB | 92.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.8 dB | 106.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.6 dB | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.7 dB | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 120.7 dB | 114.6 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 | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 118.7 dB | 112.8 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 15.2"W x 15.7"D (396.2 x 386.1 x 398.8 mm) | 17.5"H x 15.5"W x 17.2"D (444.5 x 393.7 x 436.9 mm) |
| Weight | 54.5 lbs (24.7 kg) | 58 lbs (26.3 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | 3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Brent Butterworth |
| Frequency Response | 18-270Hz, ±3dB | 21Hz-6dB |
| Amplifier Power | 800W RMS / 2500W peak | 500W 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
More worthwhile head-to-heads for SVS SB-3000:
- JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO vs SVS SB-3000
- 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- SVS SB-3000 vs Monoprice SW-15
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15
- 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
REL Acoustics R-528: $1999 eBay
Pros: 12-inch carbon-fiber passive radiator with 500W RMS Class D amp reaches 21Hz. Fast impulse response best in REL series. Breathtaking bass reach and low distortion in compact package. Speed and detail-oriented musicality. Premium fit and finish.
Full REL Acoustics R-528 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 500W RMS |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 112.8 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 17.5"H x 15.5"W x 17.2"D (444.5 x 393.7 x 436.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 21Hz-6dB |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 92.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 106.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 114.6 dB |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 58 lbs (26.3 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


