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  1. Home
  2. Powered Subwoofers
  3. DALI BASIK SUB vs DALI Sub C-8 D
DALI BASIK SUB vs DALI Sub C-8 D Comparison
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DALI BASIK SUB

Powered Subwoofer | 33-200 Hz

DALI BASIK SUB
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DALI Sub C-8 D

Powered Subwoofer | 33-200 Hz

DALI Sub C-8 D
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DALI BASIK SUB DALI BASIK SUB
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DALI Sub C-8 D DALI Sub C-8 D
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DALI BASIK SUB
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DALI Sub C-8 D
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DALI BASIK SUB vs DALI Sub C-8 D Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing BASIK SUB and Sub C-8 D, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by DALI. 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 DALI BASIK SUB and DALI Sub C-8 D first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsDALI BASIK SUBDALI Sub C-8 D
BrandDALI
Denmark · founded 1983
DALI
Denmark · founded 1983
Driver8" Paper, long stroke8" Paper, long stroke
Amplifier170 watts RMS170 watts RMS
EnclosurePortedPorted
Frequency response33-200 Hz33-200 Hz
Weight9.75kg / 21.5lbs—
Dimensions (H x W x D)12.56" x 11.61" x 12.2"
319.0 x 295.0 x 310.0mm
13.19" x 11.61" x 12.20"
335 x 295 x 310 mm
Woofer - 8 inch
DALI BASIK SUB
Woofer - 8 inch
DALI Sub C-8 D

Woofer

Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.

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.DALI BASIK SUBand DALI Sub C-8 D have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.

Frequency Response

BASIK SUB and Sub C-8 D has exactly the same frequency range of 33-200 Hz.

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

DALI BASIK SUB
DALI Sub C-8 D
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Subwoofer Speakers

DALI BASIK SUB
DALI Sub C-8 D
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet Type

Both DALI BASIK SUB and DALI Sub C-8 D have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the 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 DALI BASIK SUB's and DALI Sub C-8 D's external dimensions. DALI BASIK SUB has external dimensions of 319.0 x 295.0 x 310.0mm () whereas DALI Sub C-8 D has external dimensions of 335 x 295 x 310 mm ().

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 DALI BASIK SUB is approximately 914.5cm2 / 141.7inch2 and base area of the DALI Sub C-8 D is approximately 914.5cm2 / 141.7inch2.


Reasons to choose DALI BASIK SUB over DALI Sub C-8 D
Height 319mm vs 335mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Price per pair* 800USD vs 900USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Reasons to choose DALI Sub C-8 D over DALI BASIK SUB
Driver Setup 1-way vs -way Have a dedicated mid-range driver

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTDALI BASIK SUB front: 295 x 319 mm (11.6 x 12.6 in)DALI Sub C-8 D front: 295 x 335 mm (11.6 x 13.2 in)DALI BASIK SUB295 × 319 mmDALI Sub C-8 D295 × 335 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTDALI BASIK SUB footprint: 295 x 310 mm (11.6 x 12.2 in)DALI Sub C-8 D footprint: 295 x 310 mm (11.6 x 12.2 in)DALI BASIK SUB295 × 310 mmDALI Sub C-8 D295 × 310 mm
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.

Near-identical footprints. DALI Sub C-8 D is 16mm taller.

DALI BASIK SUB vs DALI Sub C-8 D Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General DALI BASIK SUB DALI Sub C-8 D
Brand DALI DALI
Speaker Type Powered Subwoofer Powered Subwoofer
Max Amplifier Output 170 watts 170 watts
Frequency Response 33-200 Hz 33-200 Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 170-watt RMS 170-watt RMS
Watts Peak (Max) 220-watt RMS 220-watt RMS
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 8" 8"
Woofer Composition Paper, long stroke Paper, long stroke
Tweeter Size - -
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Physical Specs
Height 319.0mm (12.6") 335.0mm (13.2")
Width 295.0mm (11.6") 295.0mm (11.6")
Depth 310.0mm (12.2") 310.0mm (12.2")
Weight 9.75kg (21.5lbs) n/a
Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
Grille n/a Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years

Verdict

Both are DALI, so the design approach is shared and the differences are mostly in output, size and price.

AreaBetterWhy
Bass depthevenly matchedEffectively the same reach (33Hz vs 33Hz).
Amplifier powerevenly matchedMuch the same amplifier (170W vs 170W RMS) - under 1dB apart.
Driver areaevenly matchedNear-identical radiating area (8" against 8").
Enclosureevenly matchedBoth are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way.
PriceADALI BASIK SUB costs less - $800 against $900, about 11% less.

A DALI BASIK SUB  B DALI Sub C-8 D
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?

Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.

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.


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