In this review, we will be comparing Minx X301 and Minx X201, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Cambridge Audio. 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 Minx X301 and Cambridge Audio Minx X201 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 Cambridge Audio Minx X301and Cambridge Audio Minx X201 have a single woofer setup however the Cambridge Audio Minx X301's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 features a 6.5-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Minx X301 has a frequency range of 31-200 Hz whereas Minx X201 has a frequency range of 36-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 31Hz, the Minx X301 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Minx X201's min frequency of 36Hz.
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 Minx X301
Cambridge Audio Minx X201
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X301
Cambridge Audio Minx X201
Cabinet Type
Both Cambridge Audio Minx X301 and Cambridge Audio Minx X201 have Passive Radiator type cabinets. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or sealed designs.
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 Minx X301's and Cambridge Audio Minx X201's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio Minx X301 has external dimensions of 312.0 x 267.0 x 310.0mm (12-1/4 x 10-1/2 x 12-3/16inch) whereas Cambridge Audio Minx X201 has external dimensions of 220.0 x 210.0 x 256.0mm (8-5/8 x 8-1/4 x 10-1/16inch).
Cambridge Audio Minx X301 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 57mm wider, 92mm taller and 54mm deeper than Cambridge Audio Minx X201.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Cambridge Audio Minx X301 and Cambridge Audio Minx X201 in scale.
Comparison image of Cambridge Audio Minx X301 and Cambridge Audio Minx X201 Size and External Dimensions
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 Minx X301 is approximately 827.7cm2 / 128.3inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 is approximately 537.6cm2 / 83.3inch2. The Minx X301 requires 54% more surface area than the Minx X201 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Minx X301 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the Minx X301 50% heavier than the Minx X201.
Here is a comparison of how Minx X301 and Minx X201's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X301
Cambridge Audio Minx X201
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio Minx X301?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Minx X301:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Installation Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio Minx X201?
Here are the items that come with the Minx X201:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Installation Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
31 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
two 6.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
220mm
vs
312mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
537cm2
vs
827cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
549USD
|
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.
Cambridge Audio Minx X301 needs about 54% more floor area. Cambridge Audio Minx X301 stands 54mm further into the room. Cambridge Audio Minx X301 is 92mm taller.
| General |
Cambridge Audio Minx X301 |
Cambridge Audio Minx X201 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Cambridge Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
31-200 Hz |
36-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.0mm (12.3") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Width |
267.0mm (10.5") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
310.0mm (12.2") |
256.0mm (10.1") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Siblings in Cambridge Audio's Minx range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Cambridge Audio Minx X301 goes deeper - 31Hz against 36Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 36Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Cambridge Audio Minx X301 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Cambridge Audio Minx X301 moves more air: 8" against 6.5" is 1.51x the cone area, not the 1.23x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Cambridge Audio Minx X201 is about 54% 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 | Cambridge Audio Minx X201 costs less - $449 against $549, about 18% less. |
A Cambridge Audio Minx X301 B Cambridge Audio Minx X201
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?
Cambridge Audio Minx X301 leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. Cambridge Audio Minx X201 is the one to take if it does not. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Cambridge Audio Minx X201 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.