I managed to audition these :
1) SB-2000 - I don't know how to put this, but I liked that the driver did not "vibrate unnecessarily" and stopped "abruptly".
This was particularly noticeable when playing music with "bassy" beats. I guess this is what is described as being "tight and accurate".
2) XTZ 12.17 Edge - This was calibrated for the room and was niceeeee.
Movies were great but I could feel that little bit of "boomyness", but I guess that's just because I was doing a side-by-side comparison with the SB-2000.
3) PB-2000 - Well, some content played very well. The Jurassic Park scene where the T-Rex comes out of its pen - was underwhelming (at least when compared to the XTZ 12.17 Edge). Now, I don't think it's a fair comparison though. The PB-2000 was not available and they arranged a sold unit for me after getting permission from the owner. So it was not calibrated for the room and maybe not placed very well either.
Overall, even though I loved the sealed sub, I am inclined towards the ported one as I would be using the HT mostly for movies and not music (and now that I know the difference after auditioning them).
And if I do get a PB-2000, when my wife kicks me out of the bedroom, I could easily sleep on top of it.
The XTZ 12.17 Edge has a rated RMS power of 700W, PB-2000 at 500W and PB-2000 Pro at 550W. How big of a consideration is this ?
Sure. Thanks for the input.
I need to get approval from "high command".