In this review, we will be comparing Descend DN12 and A120P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Definitive Technology 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 Definitive DN12 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.Definitive DN12and JBL Stage A120P have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Descend DN12 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Descend DN12 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
Cabinet Type
The Definitive DN12 has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the JBL Stage A120P have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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 Definitive DN12's and JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. Definitive DN12 has external dimensions of 488.0 x 459.0 x 512.0mm (19-3/16inch x 18-1/16inch x 20-1/8inch) 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).
Definitive DN12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 66mm wider, 73mm taller and 37mm deeper than JBL Stage A120P.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Definitive DN12 and JBL Stage A120P in scale.
Comparison image of Definitive DN12 and JBL Stage A120P 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 Definitive DN12 is approximately 2350.1cm2 / 364.3inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The Descend DN12 requires 26% more surface area than the A120P 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 Definitive DN12 weighs 33.23kg / 73.1lbs and the JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the Descend DN12 78% heavier than the A120P.
Here is a comparison of how Descend DN12 and A120P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Definitive DN12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Descend DN12:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- CR2032 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A120P?
Here are the items that come with the A120P:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
- Important Safety Instructions
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 12-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
415mm
vs
488mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1866cm2
vs
2350cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
1199USD
|
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.
Definitive DN12 needs about 26% more floor area. Definitive DN12 stands 37mm further into the room. Definitive DN12 is 73mm taller.
| General |
Definitive Technology Descend DN12 |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
250 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
488.0mm (19.2") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
459.0mm (18.1") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
512.0mm (20.2") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
33.23kg (73.1lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
1 Year |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a ported 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 | A | Definitive DN12 goes deeper - 25Hz against 32Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | A | Definitive DN12 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 250W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Definitive DN12 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; JBL Stage A120P is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Definitive DN12 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | JBL Stage A120P is about 32% 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 | A | Definitive DN12 carries 3 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | JBL Stage A120P costs less - $300 against $1,199, about 75% less. |
A Definitive DN12 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?
The usual trade-off: Definitive DN12 measures better, JBL Stage A120P costs about 75% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Definitive DN12 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $1,199 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.