In this article, we are going to take a look at SVS’s latest 5000 series subwoofers. We’ll discuss who these are for, the differences between them, and help you understand which one might be a great fit to bring some serious bass to your system. We’ll also give you some subwoofer tips along the way to help you get the most out of any subwoofer in your room.

First things first, SVS builds some of the best bang for your buck subwoofers in the world, and these new models in their 5000 series collection are no different. While they share a lot of the same features and tech, the SB-5000 is the sealed version and the PB-5000 is the ported version. Let’s first discuss the similarities between these two new models and then we will go over the differences and why you might want one over the other.

Shared Features & Technology

At the center of both the SB-5000 and PB-5000 is a brand-new 15-inch driver engineered to deliver high output and low distortion. SVS paired this driver with their STA-2000D amplifier, which provides 2,000 watts RMS and peaks well over 5,000 watts. Each amplifier channel powers its own voice coil, with four discrete Class-D amplifier modules bridged into two, a true dual-mono design that increases current delivery, improves control, and helps reduce demand on your wall outlet. They use a custom switch-mode power supply with advanced two-stage Power Factor Correction to ensure it’s always performing at its peak, no matter what kind of power your home’s electrical circuit is delivering. An onboard AC line conditioner filters and stabilizes the voltage, cleans up waveform distortion, and eliminates interference from other devices. This helps deliver a clean, consistent 160V rail voltage from a standard 15-amp outlet, meaning you get reliable output, better efficiency, and less heat even when driving the sub hard. And despite all this power, the amp stays cool thanks to an internally cooled, FEA-optimized design with no external heatsinks.

Both subwoofers also feature SVS’s most advanced DSP system to date, the same high-powered processor first introduced in their flagship 17-inch Ultra Evolution model. This gives you the ability to fine-tune your sub to your room using adjustable crossover points, polarity, phase, parametric EQ, room gain compensation, and preset memory. You can access everything through the SVS app, which connects via Bluetooth and lets you control your sub from right from your listening position. In addition, the DSP also monitors things like driver behavior, internal temperature, amplifier status, and incoming voltage in real time, helping to maintain peak performance and long-term reliability without distortion or overload.

The app also has three presets to recall three different tunings. This is helpful for users who use their system for both music and movies, as a simple smartphone control can adjust the tuning of these subwoofers to a high-output movie mode or preset it for a more refined, lower-impact setting that’s better suited for two-channel listening. It basically lets you have multiple subwoofers in one unit, with custom tunings optimized for whatever you’re watching or listening to — whether that’s a high-impact movie setting, a more subtle music-focused mode, or a quieter late-night preset.

Another really cool feature of the app that we’re excited about is an upcoming firmware update that will bring Auto Room EQ to compatible SVS subwoofers. It will allow you to measure your room using the built-in microphone on your Android or Apple device and apply precision tuning automatically — all from the app. This will make calibrating your subwoofers a breeze and will be especially helpful when you have multiple subs in your setup. In addition to app-based control, the amplifier’s rear panel features an easy-to-read OLED display with a tactile interface that gives you direct access to all the sub’s key settings. It even includes a handy “Display Flip” function, so you can read it clearly when you are looking over the top of it at the back.

From a build standpoint, both models are rock-solid. They’re constructed from thick MDF and feature extensive internal bracing to minimize cabinet resonance. Both are available in Premium Black Ash or high-gloss Piano Black, with a removable grille for a more discreet or bold look, depending on your setup. And while they may be heavy at 101 pounds for the SB-5000 and 153 pounds for the PB-5000, the payoff is that they stay dead quiet and composed, even at high output.

SVS SB-5000

We put the SB-5000 to the test using some of our favorite movie scenes from a Kaleidescape to get the best audio quality possible in our test lab. We also incorporated it into a two-channel system with some SVS Titan floorstanding speakers. We used the app to get everything set up, and our initial reaction was that this new SB-5000 rocks. It just delivers incredibly tight and articulate bass. Because it’s a sealed design, the response rolls off more gradually at the lowest frequencies, but the result is bass that feels more controlled and immediate. Fast bass lines, kick drums, and subtle low-end effects all sound clean and defined. For music, it just brought out so much more in the songs and never felt slow or bloated. In home theater use, it has plenty of slam and depth for all but the largest rooms. You’ll get clean extension down into the subsonic range, and the sealed design helps it maintain control during complex scenes with multiple overlapping low-frequency effects.

Adding a second, third, or even fourth SB-5000 to your setup will make your room even more capable. It’s not even about having more low-end output. Having more subs will take the strain off each other and actually spread the bass more evenly across your entire room, ensuring that no seat is left out. If you’ve ever experienced a room with dual subs or more, you’ll know just how it gives you that feeling where the bass is coming from the whole room and not just one single corner. We’d bet it’s one of the best upgrades you’ll make in your home theater once all the basics are already taken care of. If you do go this route, be sure to check out our subwoofer placement guide and calibration guide to be sure you get the most out of them. In addition, when you purchase from Audio Advice, you’ll get our team of home theater experts ready to help you every step of the way!

Overall Thoughts and Who It’s For

The SB-5000 is an excellent choice for people who want clean, accurate bass that integrates seamlessly with their speakers. It’s especially great for music systems, all but the largest theater, or rooms where a large ported box would be impractical. It offers nearly the same extension as the PB-5000 but with a tighter, more focused sound that many audiophiles prefer. If you value balance, precision, and a more compact form factor, the SB-5000 is a smart choice.

SVS PB-5000

This level of control is especially useful depending on whether your system is more focused on music or home theater. For two-channel listening, sealing one or more ports can improve transient response and help preserve instrument detail and tone. For movies and immersive content, leaving the ports open delivers more slam and higher overall SPL for that cinematic rumble. Best of all, the SVS app automatically adjusts the DSP settings based on how you tell it that the sub is configured, so you’re always getting optimized performance without having to dive deep into menus. This adaptability makes the PB-5000 a versatile choice for a wide range of room sizes and system setups, while still delivering reference-level performance.

As with the SB-5000, you can control everything from the app, including phase, polarity, crossover settings, and EQ. And if you’re not sure where to place a large sub like this, we highly recommend watching our subwoofer placement video, which is full of practical tips for avoiding dead spots and getting smoother response across multiple seats. Even if you have a room where you can’t run wires to where you want to place your sub, we can help you with wireless options from SVS, like the SouthPath Wireless Adapter.

When we set up this 154 pound beast, we were excited to throw all the action movies with great LFE at it that we could think of. And we will say, we were not disappointed. It delivers chest-thumping output in the lowest octaves, and the ported design allows it to do so with less effort than a sealed model. That translated into more headroom, more dynamic impact, and greater room-filling capability, especially in larger spaces like our test lab. It excelled with movies like Mad Max, Dune, and other action movies with big explosions, rumbling engines and deep cinematic scores. It just made everything feel more immersive and alive.

Surprisingly, it also holds up well with music too. The ports are well-tuned, and the DSP helps avoid the boominess or one-note sound that can affect some ported subs. Sealing the ports or applying light EQ can make it even better for music, but for most listeners, it strikes a nice balance between power and control.

Overall Thoughts and Who It’s For

The PB-5000 is ideal for people who want the biggest, deepest bass possible and have the room to support it. It’s perfect for dedicated home theaters, large media rooms, or open-concept spaces where smaller subs just don’t cut it. If you want to feel every low-end effect and get that true cinematic rumble, the PB-5000 delivers! It’s not small, and it’s not subtle, but if you’ve got the space, you’ll be rewarded with subwoofer performance that rivals much more expensive options.

Overall Thoughts

SVS clearly put a lot of engineering and attention to detail into the 5000 Series. Both the SB-5000 and PB-5000 deliver reference-level performance with the flexibility to fit different kinds of rooms and systems. The sealed SB-5000 offers tight, accurate bass that works beautifully in music and mixed-use setups, while the ported PB-5000 delivers bigger, more powerful bass that excels in large home theaters and high-output systems.

Choosing between them comes down to your space, listening habits, and preferences for how you want your bass to sound. If you value precision and want a sub that disappears into the system, go sealed. If you want to shake the room and feel the low end in your chest, go ported.

No matter which one you pick, placement and calibration are key to getting the best results. Take the time to experiment with sub location, and check out our subwoofer placement and calibration videos to help guide the process. A little extra effort in setup goes a long way toward unlocking everything these subwoofers are capable of. Whether you go with the SB-5000 or the PB-5000, you’re getting a subwoofer built to last, built to perform, and built to bring your system to life in a way you’ll feel every time you press play.

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