SVS Ported Subwoofers

All Subwoofers Dual Subwoofers Speakers Speaker Systems Accessories

Seismic Output, Subterranean Low Frequency Extension

A subwoofer is a purpose-built loudspeaker solely responsible for playing low frequencies (bass). SVS ported subwoofers deliver massive, effortless bass while remaining accurate and refined so you can hear and feel every heart-pounding detail with its full impact and clarity.

Ported subwoofers are popular for users who enjoy pushing sound pressure levels (SPLs) to the max in a home theater environment and for music fans who want the deepest extension and most output possible. If you want to experience the full energy of every action movie explosion or the guttural feeling of a musical bass drop, an SVS ported subwoofer is ideal for you.

All SVS ported subwoofers (and nearly all SVS sealed subwoofers) play below 20Hz, the threshold of human hearing. Below this frequency, sound is only felt and playback adds a deeply immersive, palpable effect that draws you further into movies, music and other audio experiences.

Compared to sealed cabinet subwoofers with similar sized drivers and amplifier power, ported (or vented) subwoofers produce greater dynamic output and can generally play lower. Sealed subwoofers excel with punchiness, accuracy, and transient response, while being more compact in size. SVS is always narrowing the delta between ported and sealed subwoofer performance and for a more detailed explanation, check out the SVS Sound Experts article, Ported vs. Sealed Subwoofers.

Known as our “PB” (Ported Box) and “PC” (Ported Cylinder) models, SVS offers a range of ported subwoofer options for all different home theaters and audio systems.

SVS President Gary Yacoubian shares five things to listen for when choosing a subwoofer for your home theater of HiFi system.

PB-1000 Pro
Rated 4.84541062801932 out of 5 stars and 207 reviews
Redefines subwoofer performance in its class and beyond with heart-pounding output, subterranean extension, and pinpoint accuracy.

$ 799.99

  • Driver | 12"
  • Amplifier | 325 watts RMS (820+ watts peak)
  • Freq. Response | 17-260 Hz ±3 dB
  • Dimensions | 18.9" (H) 15" (W) 20" (D)

$ 799.99

PB-2000 Pro
Rated 4.86808510638298 out of 5 stars and 235 reviews
Breathtaking output and subterranean deep bass extension with astonishing detail and accuracy. Brings reference subwoofer performance to more people than ever.

$ 1,099.99

  • Driver | 12"
  • Amplifier | 550 watts RMS (1500+ watts peak)
  • Freq. Response | 16Hz to 290Hz +/-3dB (standard mode)
  • Freq. Response | 17Hz to 290Hz +/-3dB (sealed mode)
  • Dimensions | 20.9" (H) 17.3" (W) 23.6" (D)

$ 1,099.99

PB-3000
Rated 4.97489539748954 out of 5 stars and 239 reviews
Hits the ultimate sweet spot for ported subwoofers with massive output and subterranean extension that exceeds much larger and more expensive subwoofers.

$ 1,599.99

  • Driver | 13"
  • Amplifier | 800 watts RMS (2500+ watts peak)
  • Freq. Response | 16-260 Hz ±3 dB (standard mode)
    18-260 Hz ±3 dB (sealed mode)
  • Dimensions | 21.9” (H) 18.3” (W) 26” (D)

$ 1,599.99

PB-4000
Rated 4.94392523364486 out of 5 stars and 107 reviews
Setting all performance benchmarks for ported subwoofers in its class, PB-4000 unleashes heart-pounding output and infrasonic deep bass extension with pinpoint accuracy. Brutally powerful yet subtl...

$ 2,299.99

  • Driver | 13.5"
  • Amplifier | 1200 watts RMS (4000+ watts peak)
  • Freq. Response | 16-200 Hz ±3 dB (standard mode)
    13-200 Hz ±3 dB (extended mode)
    18-200 Hz ±3 dB (sealed mode)
  • Dimension | 23.4” (H) 20.5” (W) 30” (D)

$ 2,299.99

PB16-Ultra
Rated 4.94509803921569 out of 5 stars and 255 reviews
The ultimate reference standard for bass, PB16-Ultra redefines what is possible from a ported cabinet subwoofer design with cost-no-object design and engineering.

$ 2,899.99

  • Driver | 16"
  • Amplifier | 1500 watts RMS (5000+ watts peak)
  • Freq. Response | 15-280 Hz +/- 3 dB (standard mode)
    13-280 Hz +/- 3 dB (extended mode)
    14-360 Hz +/- 3 dB (sealed mode)
  • Dimension | 25” H X 21.7” W X 30.9” D

$ 2,899.99

FAQ

A ported subwoofer, also known as a bass reflex subwoofer, is a type of subwoofer cabinet that uses tuned ports to improve the efficiency and extend the low-frequency response of the subwoofer. The port in the enclosure is carefully tuned to a specific length and diameter, which determines the resonant frequency of the system. This tuning process allows the port to reinforce specific low-frequency sounds, resulting in increased output and improved efficiency in that frequency range compared to sealed cabinet subwoofers. To learn more about the characteristics of ported subwoofers, click here

Ported subwoofers are generally considered better for home theater and music with deep bass output, like EDM, because they produce more dynamic impact and deeper low frequency extension, especially at reference playback levels, while requiring less amplifier power to achieve the same volume levels as sealed enclosures. They are more efficient in converting electrical energy into sound output due to the resonance effect of the port. However, the trade-off is that ported subwoofers may not offer the same level of accuracy and tightness as sealed enclosures. Simply put, if you want the most room-energizing, gut-punching, floor-trembling cinematic experience possible, a ported subwoofer should be your choice. They are also more capable of filling larger spaces. To learn more about the benefits of ported subwoofers, click here

It is not recommended to run sealed and ported subwoofers in a home theater system. By mixing both cabinet types, it can cause the subwoofers to work against each other due to having very different phase responses, especially over the port tuning frequency of the ported subwoofer. The sound waves will cancel each other out over that bandwidth, and you’ll get reduced performance. To learn more about mixing ported and sealed subwoofers in a home theater, click here

Subwoofer placement often depends on available floor space and competing variables like décor and visual impact considerations. The most common placement for a subwoofer is in the front of the room and usually results in the best blending with your main speakers. Front and rear corners of a room are also recommended areas for subwoofer placement as well. To learn more about subwoofer placement, click here.