In this review, we will be comparing PULSE SUB+ and PULSE SUB, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Bluesound. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Bluesound PULSE SUB+ and Bluesound PULSE SUB first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Bluesound PULSE SUB+ and Bluesound PULSE SUB have a totally different setup: the Bluesound PULSE SUB+ features 1 x 8-inch drivers whereas the PULSE SUB features 2 x 6.5-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
PULSE SUB+ has a frequency range of 22-150 Hz whereas PULSE SUB has a frequency range of . With a minimum frequency of Hz, the PULSE SUB can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PULSE SUB+'s min frequency of 22Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Bluesound PULSE SUB+'s and Bluesound PULSE SUB's external dimensions. Bluesound PULSE SUB+ has external dimensions of 300 x 457 x 146 mm () whereas Bluesound PULSE SUB has external dimensions of 330 x 292 x 315 mm ().
Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is 30mm shorter and 169mm less deeper than Bluesound PULSE SUB but it is also 165mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Bluesound PULSE SUB needs about 38% more floor or shelf area. Bluesound PULSE SUB is 169mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Bluesound PULSE SUB is 30mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is approximately 667.2cm2 / 103.4inch2 and base area of the Bluesound PULSE SUB is approximately 919.8cm2 / 142.6inch2. The PULSE SUB+ requires 27% less surface area than the PULSE SUB which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Bluesound PULSE SUB+ weighs 8.28kg / 18.2lbs and the Bluesound PULSE SUB weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the PULSE SUB 21% heavier than the PULSE SUB+.
Here is a comparison of how PULSE SUB+ and PULSE SUB's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
300mm
vs
330mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
667cm2
vs
919cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1149USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Bluesound PULSE SUB needs about 38% more floor area. Bluesound PULSE SUB stands 169mm further into the room. Bluesound PULSE SUB is 30mm taller.
| General |
Bluesound PULSE SUB+ |
Bluesound PULSE SUB |
| Brand |
Bluesound |
Bluesound |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
22-150 Hz |
|
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
350-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
330.0mm (13") |
| Width |
457.0mm (18") |
292.0mm (11.5") |
| Depth |
146.0mm (5.7") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
8.28kg (18.2lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Finish |
Matte |
Matte satin paint |
| Available Colors |
Black, White |
Black, White/Tan |
| Grille |
n/a |
Removable magnetic |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
Type A (upgrade only), Type B mini (service) |
n/a |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
Both are Bluesound, so the design approach is shared and the differences are mostly in output, size and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Amplifier power | B | Bluesound PULSE SUB has the bigger amplifier - 350W against 150W RMS, about 3.7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Bluesound PULSE SUB moves more air: 2 x 6.5" against 8" is 1.32x the cone area, not the 1.15x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (app control). |
| Cabinet size | depends | Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is about 34% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | A | Bluesound PULSE SUB+ costs less - $1,149 against $1,299, about 12% less. |
A Bluesound PULSE SUB+ B Bluesound PULSE SUB
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Bluesound PULSE SUB measures better, Bluesound PULSE SUB+ costs about 12% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.