In this review, we will be comparing MSX Sub 300 and ForceField 3, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Cambridge Audio and GoldenEar. 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 and GoldenEar ForceField 3 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.Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300and GoldenEar ForceField 3 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
MSX Sub 300 has a frequency range of 31-200 Hz whereas ForceField 3 has a frequency range of 18-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the ForceField 3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MSX Sub 300's min frequency of 31Hz.
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
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300's and GoldenEar ForceField 3's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 has external dimensions of 312.7 x 266.7 x 311.2mm () whereas GoldenEar ForceField 3 has external dimensions of 288.0 x 293.0 x 432.0mm (11-5/16inch x 11-1/2inch x 17inch).
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is 26.3mm narrower and 120.8mm less deeper than GoldenEar ForceField 3 but it is also 24.7mm taller.
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.
GoldenEar ForceField 3 needs about 53% more floor or shelf area. GoldenEar ForceField 3 is 121mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is 25mm 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is approximately 830.0cm2 / 128.7inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar ForceField 3 is approximately 1265.8cm2 / 196.2inch2. The MSX Sub 300 requires 34% less surface area than the ForceField 3 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 weighs 7.48kg / 16.5lbs and the GoldenEar ForceField 3 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the ForceField 3 58% heavier than the MSX Sub 300.
Here is a comparison of how MSX Sub 300 and ForceField 3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
 Base Surface Area |
830cm2
vs
1265cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
31 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
288mm
vs
312mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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.
GoldenEar ForceField 3 needs about 53% more floor area. GoldenEar ForceField 3 stands 121mm further into the room. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is 25mm taller.
| General |
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 |
GoldenEar ForceField 3 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
31-200 Hz |
18-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.7mm (12.3") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
| Width |
266.7mm (10.5") |
293.0mm (11.5") |
| Depth |
311.2mm (12.3") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Weight |
7.48kg (16.5lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | GoldenEar ForceField 3 goes deeper - 18Hz against 31Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | GoldenEar ForceField 3 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 300W RMS, about 5.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is about 29% 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. |
| Warranty | B | GoldenEar ForceField 3 carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 costs less - $549 against $599, about 8% less. |
A Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 B GoldenEar ForceField 3
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?
GoldenEar ForceField 3 leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is the one to take if it does not. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 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.