Klipsch RP-1600 vs SVS PB16 – Which Delivers Better Bass and Sound Quality?

Testing of the Klipsch RP1600SW vs the SVS PB16 Ultra

In this head-to-head comparison, I’m testing two of the most powerful 16-inch subwoofers on the market: the Klipsch RP-1600SW and the SVS PB16 Ultra. If you’re serious about bass performance in your home theater or hi-fi setup, this is the shootout you’ve been waiting for.

The Klipsch RP-1600 is the flagship model in the Reference Premiere subwoofer lineup, featuring a 16” Cerametallic driver, high-output Class D amplification, and front-firing ported design. It delivers hard-hitting, tight bass that’s ideal for both music and movies.

The SVS PB16 Ultra, on the other hand, is legendary in the subwoofer world — with a massive 16” driver, 1500W RMS (5000W peak) Sledge STA-1500D amp, and triple front ports. It’s built for those who crave ultra-deep, cinematic bass and room-filling low-end performance.

In this video, I compare their sound, power, design, and value. Whether you want tight musical accuracy or earthquake-level home theater impact, I’ll help you decide which 16” subwoofer is right for your setup.

What You’ll Learn:
• Build Quality & Amplifier Differences
• Bass Performance in Music Listening
• Home Theater Movie Tests & Impact
• Head-to-Head Sound Comparison
• Which Sub Delivers More for the right stuff

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[BrandonAttarDbran]

Placement is very important, you should have tested the klipsch in the same exact spot as the svs. anyway good video :) happy owner of Dual SVS SB16's

[thomasferguson]

Placement comparison is very important. Always test speakers and subs in the same location as the one your comparing it to for validity purposes

[sabbathAndy]

Awesome vid, well the Klipsch is still excellent for the money, theres a big difference on electronics involved on the Svs, a lot more power, Dsp is excellent, the app and so on. Finally it all comes down to budget. Both excellent.

[Jack]

I have two SVS Ultra 13 subs that i bought over 10 years ago and they weigh 90 lbs each! I really like that SVS has an upgrade path I did their upgraded plate amp Now it has SVS Subwoofer DSP and control smartphone app
• 1, 200 watts RMS, 4, 000+ watts Peak power amplifier with fully discrete MOSFET output

[TheNLHAZE]

Great video my friend thank you very much !!🍺cheers👍WOW I'm watching again and just noticed the camera is shaking when the S.V.S is playing again great video but the clear winner here is the svs and I may add I also do own the RP1600 as we'll, but it is what it is S.V.S The Winner 😊😊 😎

[MrBonger]

Ahh I’ve been waiting for this one. Thank you

[MikeNapoli-ugfm]

Great video. I enjoy watching your content. Thank you for your passion !

[Morphz_Unlimited]

Still not comparing apples to apples. The SVS makes considerably more power. I noticed that the SVS has more port noise than the Klipsch. Awesome vid!

[davecroucher]

Before I even watch this I will point out my observation on the port(s) output demo...
#1 even if both sub port have the same port area, the fact the SVS has it subdivided into 3 focuses that output much more than the Klipsch.
#2 the SVS has its output forced through 2 of its 3 ports, adding 33% more output to each.
#3 IF the port heights are observed, the SVS are.much higher off the floor. Adding far more air pressure higher on the object making it far more likely to topple!
The fact the Klipsch managed to slide the object, meaning it pushed its entire weight rather than toppling it, might be even more impressive.

[Martin-Raw]

Had two Klipsch R-115SW. Now I got one RP-1600.. Nothing less then a impressive beast! 🫅🔥🔥

[CaptainSplatch]

Great Video. Really showed off some of the details that I wanted to see. Thanks. Loving my new Klipsch rp-1400 and Denon avr. This just makes me appreciate it all the more.

[jorgejovel]

I have quad svs subs . 2 sb4000s in the rear and 2 sb16 ultras up front. The 4000s are directly behind my recliner 2 in ches away for tactile feel. I'm very happy with my setup .

[cellfactoruser]

Klipsch wins for 3 reasons: (well 4 if we include price)

1. At 17:08 the song (Bass I Love You) makes a brief bass note which is lower than 20hz. On the Klipsch, the bottle felt the pressure of air moving out of the sub. On SVS, it didn't move an inch.

2. Placement. Everyone said this, but ill just add it to the list anyway. Subwoofers aren't meant to be placed where the Klipsch sub is placed. Your results are invalid.

3. Everyone's impressed how the SVS makes the bottle fall, while the Klipsch didn't. That's a misdirection.
Well, that's normal physics to you. The exhaust in SVS is higher, therefore it's easier to make the bottle fall.
Klipsch's bursts air from the very bottom, so it's harder for the bottle to fall.

Overall I think the creator of the video is kinda biased towards SVS and can't be arsed to make proper comparisons. Yeah, they're heavy, no doubt. But don't go ahead and claim a victor, when the setup is all wrong.

Cheers!

[shaunvanzyl]

Great video Morne, keep the sound rocking brother, my 2 Klipsch Rp 1200 are pumping…

[mcjonner]

Tonewinner d6000 seems to be another sub that could be included in this conversation, one channel said it outperformed the svs at half the price or so. Probably from china, but a very well put together design overall.

Another one that needs more attention is starke as a budget sub can get into 15" ported for quite cheap.

[acidnut]

I just got two of the 1400sw to replace my dual SVS PB-1000 and they are out of this world. They are insane even with the gain at only 5. Playing A quiet place and my house door about to explode open. and they push so much air like two floor fans blowing at you.

[thembaallendlamini]

I love your personal opinion and it puts things into perspective. In dollar price, they are not that far off. However, in rands something happens to import stuff.

[dimitardimitrov]

Great video. I saw your previous videos Klipsch vs SVS because I have SVS PB1000 and I'm thinking about changing it.
My speakers are Klipsch and with this new subs RP series I was thinking about it. Especially considering that they are much cheaper than SVS and I can get RP1400SW for the money of PB2000 (the pro version is more expensive though). A bigger woofer will make a difference.
But thanks to you I will remain loyal to SVS
You make great videos, keep it up. Regards

[WorldFamousUnfluencer]

19:00 The "wobble" you describe here is not actually happening. This is a video optical phenomena that you will only see on screen. It's because when the driver moves at the same frequency as the frame rate of your screen (or the frame rate of the video), it will only look like it is "warping" because of how the picture on your screen is updated and the way that digital cameras record video (from the top to the bottom, one line at the time). The phenomena you see is called "rolling shutter effect". If you want to know more about it you can google that term.

[dwayneharris]

You have one of the port sealed on the SVS. What is the reason for that.