In this review, we will be comparing PULSE SUB+ and A120P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Bluesound and JBL. 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 JBL Stage A120P 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.Both Bluesound PULSE SUB+and JBL Stage A120P have a single woofer setup however the Bluesound PULSE SUB+'s woofer is 8-inch whereas the JBL Stage A120P features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PULSE SUB+ has a frequency range of 22-150 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the PULSE SUB+ can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120P's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. Bluesound PULSE SUB+ has external dimensions of 300 x 457 x 146 mm () whereas JBL Stage A120P has external dimensions of 415.0 x 393.0 x 475.0mm (16-5/16 x 15-7/16 x 18-11/16inch).
Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is 115mm shorter and 329mm less deeper than JBL Stage A120P but it is also 64mm 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.
JBL Stage A120P needs about 180% more floor or shelf area. JBL Stage A120P is 329mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. JBL Stage A120P is 115mm 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 JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The PULSE SUB+ requires 64% less surface area than the A120P 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 JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the A120P 126% heavier than the PULSE SUB+.
Here is a comparison of how PULSE SUB+ and A120P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
22 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 App-Based Control |
BluOS Controller (iOS, Android)
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
300mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
667cm2
vs
1866cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
1149USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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.
JBL Stage A120P needs about 180% more floor area. JBL Stage A120P stands 329mm further into the room. JBL Stage A120P is 115mm taller.
| General |
Bluesound PULSE SUB+ |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
Bluesound |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
22-150 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polycellulose |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
457.0mm (18") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
146.0mm (5.7") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
8.28kg (18.2lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
Matte |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black, White |
n/a |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
Type A (upgrade only), Type B mini (service) |
n/a |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
|
1 Year |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Bluesound PULSE SUB+ goes deeper - 22Hz against 32Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | JBL Stage A120P has the bigger amplifier - 250W against 150W RMS, about 2.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | JBL Stage A120P moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Bluesound PULSE SUB+ offers a wireless link. It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Bluesound PULSE SUB+ is about 74% 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 | B | JBL Stage A120P costs less - $300 against $1,149, about 74% less. |
A Bluesound PULSE SUB+ B JBL Stage A120P
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?
JBL Stage A120P has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $300 each, two JBL Stage A120P cost about $600 against $1,149 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. 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.