In this review, we will be comparing ProSub 800 and Minx X201, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Definitive Technology and 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 Definitive ProSub 800 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 Definitive ProSub 800and Cambridge Audio Minx X201 have a single woofer setup however the Definitive ProSub 800's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 features a 6.5-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
ProSub 800 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz whereas Minx X201 has a frequency range of 36-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the ProSub 800 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 X201
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X201
Cabinet Type
Both Definitive ProSub 800 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 Definitive ProSub 800's and Cambridge Audio Minx X201's external dimensions. Definitive ProSub 800 has external dimensions of 328.0 x 262.0 x 423.0mm (12-7/8 x 10-5/16 x 16-5/8inch) 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).
Definitive ProSub 800 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 52mm wider, 108mm taller and 167mm deeper than Cambridge Audio Minx X201.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Definitive ProSub 800 and Cambridge Audio Minx X201 in scale.
Comparison image of Definitive ProSub 800 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 Definitive ProSub 800 is approximately 1108.3cm2 / 171.8inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 is approximately 537.6cm2 / 83.3inch2. The ProSub 800 requires 106% 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 Definitive ProSub 800 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs and the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the ProSub 800 136% heavier than the Minx X201.
Here is a comparison of how ProSub 800 and Minx X201's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X201
What's in the Box of Definitive ProSub 800?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ProSub 800:
- 8-inch Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille (installed)
- 7-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
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 |
20 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 6.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
220mm
vs
328mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
537cm2
vs
1108cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 ProSub 800 needs about 106% more floor area. Definitive ProSub 800 stands 167mm further into the room. Definitive ProSub 800 is 108mm taller.
| General |
Definitive Technology ProSub 800 |
Cambridge Audio Minx X201 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Cambridge Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-150 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 |
Polymer |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
328.0mm (12.9") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Width |
262.0mm (10.3") |
210.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
423.0mm (16.7") |
256.0mm (10.1") |
| Weight |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
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 |
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 | A | Definitive ProSub 800 goes deeper - 20Hz against 36Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Definitive ProSub 800 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 | Definitive ProSub 800 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Definitive ProSub 800 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. |
| Phase control | B | Cambridge Audio Minx X201 has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Cambridge Audio Minx X201 is about 67% 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 | A | Definitive ProSub 800 costs less - $399 against $449, about 11% less. |
A Definitive ProSub 800 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?
Definitive ProSub 800 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Cambridge Audio Minx X201 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Definitive ProSub 800 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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.