In this review, we will be comparing BASIK SUB and Nero DueVoce DualX8, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from DALI and OSD. 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 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.DALI BASIK SUBand OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
BASIK SUB has a frequency range of 33-200 Hz whereas Nero DueVoce DualX8 has a frequency range of 17-165 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the Nero DueVoce DualX8 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the BASIK SUB's min frequency of 33Hz.
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 DALI BASIK SUB's and OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8's external dimensions. DALI BASIK SUB has external dimensions of 319.0 x 295.0 x 310.0mm () whereas OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm ().
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 29.9mm narrower and 7.8mm shorter than DALI BASIK SUB but it is also 23.4mm deeper.
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.
Near-identical footprints. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 23mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is approximately 883.8cm2 / 137.0inch2. The BASIK SUB requires 3% more surface area than the Nero DueVoce DualX8 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 DALI BASIK SUB weighs 9.75kg / 21.5lbs and the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the BASIK SUB 25% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how BASIK SUB and Nero DueVoce DualX8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
165 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Driver Setup |
1-way
vs
-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
33 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
311mm
vs
319mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
914cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
800USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 stands 23mm further into the room.
| General |
DALI BASIK SUB |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
| Brand |
DALI |
OSD |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
33-200 Hz |
17-165 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
170-watt RMS |
130-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
220-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper, long stroke |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
319.0mm (12.6") |
311.2mm (12.3") |
| Width |
295.0mm (11.6") |
265.1mm (10.4") |
| Depth |
310.0mm (12.2") |
333.4mm (13.1") |
| Weight |
9.75kg (21.5lbs) |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 goes deeper - 17Hz against 33Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | DALI BASIK SUB has the bigger amplifier - 170W against 130W RMS, about 1.2dB 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 | depends | DALI BASIK SUB is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Price | B | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 costs less - $300 against $800, about 63% less. |
A DALI BASIK SUB B OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8
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. 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 cost about $600 against $800 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.