SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer | What You Need to Know

SVS is one of our favorite subwoofer and speaker companies. Full stop. They make great bang-for-buck subwoofers and speakers. Recently, they announced a new 3000 Micro subwoofer. Every AV outlet is talking about it. For the most part, they are just regurgitating what SVS sent out in their press release. Nothing wrong with that. But we don’t do that here at AV Gadgets. We’re going to drill down and tell you what is important. De-press release the press release if you will. So, what is exciting about the new SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer?

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Small, Low, and Cheap – Pick Two

The rule of thumb with subwoofers is that you can have a sub that plays low/loud, can be small, or can be inexpensive, pick two. If it is small and hits low, it can’t be cheap. If it is cheap and hits low, it can’t be small. SVS is trying to defy this rule with the 3000 Micro. But have they done it?

At $799, the 3000 Micro might not be the textbook definition of “cheap”. However, in the world of subwoofers, it really, really is. With a rating down to 24Hz and considerable output, the $799 price tag seems pretty remarkable. The 3000 Micro measures just less than an 11-inch cube which is quite small. When we look at the output of the 3000 Micro and compare it to other subs in the SVS line, we see a graph that very much resembles the SB-2000 Pro with slightly less extension. So, what did SVS give up to get the specs they got with the 3000 Micro?

A little here and a little there.

Key Subwoofer Specs:

Dimensions (HxWxD including grilles): 10.9 x 11.7 x 10.7 in. (278 x 297 x 271mm)
Weight: 22.5 lbs. (10.2 kg)
Dual opposing 8-inch active drivers designed acoustically and electrically in parallel
800-watt RMS, 2500-watt peak Sledge STA-800D amplifier with fully discrete MOSFET output
Rear-mounted internal amplifier with Intelligent Control Interface (ICI)
Finish options: High-end Piano Gloss Black, Piano Gloss White, Premium Black Ash
Screw-in rubber feet
Cabinet: Structurally-reinforced MDF

SVS 3000 Micro vs SB-2000 Pro

If we look closely at the graphs provided by SVS for the 3000 Micro vs the SB-2000 Pro, we see very similar output at just bout 90dB. While the graphs claim that they are not showing max output, we have to assume that they were taken in similar ways. If we were to compare the SB-3000 as well, we’d see about 5dB more output. This suggests that the 3000 Micro has similar capabilities of the SB-2000 Pro. That’s pretty insane considering the size of the box and that they both clock in at the same price.

The price is relatively low, the size is small, and the extension is fairly deep. The thing is, it isn’t as small as other subwoofers with 8″ drivers, it doesn’t dig as deep as other subs its size, and it isn’t as expensive as other subs with similar performance. But SVS shaved a bit off of everything to create a subwoofer that is the best of all worlds. Should you be impressed? We are.

Who Needs This Sub?

The real question here is: Who is this subwoofer built for? If I were to make a guess, I’d say anyone in Europe. The small size, the glossy finish, and the output suggests that it is geared towards customers that are looking for a quality subwoofer in a small box that won’t break the bank. The aesthetic of the 3000 Micro just screams to be placed next to Scandinavian-style furniture.

But if you are shopping for a sub, the question is what do you want? Are you looking for the lowest output? The 3000 Micro isn’t for you. But if you have a medium-sized room (3000 cubic feet or less), and are space-challenged, the 3000 Micro might be just what you are looking for. This is a subwoofer that will be easy to place, easier to hide, and gives you tremendous output down to just above 20Hz. While the bass snobs will turn up their nose at the lack of sub-20Hz performance, it is an exceedingly small thing to give up in order to keep the price down and the size small.

One thing to consider is that the 3000 Micro is not compatible with SVS’s SoundPath Isolation feet. While they will tell you the dual opposing drivers and inert cabinet will cancel out the vibrations, there will still be some that pass through the rubber feet and into the floor. You’ll want to get something to decouple this sub. Luckily, we have an article for that.

Conclusion

I have to admit, when SVS announced the 3000 Micro, I wasn’t very impressed. Small subs are impressive because they are small. Usually, they give up too much performance to hold my interest. But the output and the extension of the 3000 Micro are far more impressive than the $799 price tag would suggest. If I were to make a prediction, I’d say that the 3000 Micro will quickly become SVS’s top-selling subwoofer. If I were on the market for a small sub, the 3000 Micro would shoot to the top of my list.