In this review, we will be comparing DS103 and ProSub 800, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC and Definitive Technology. 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 ELAC DS103 and Definitive ProSub 800 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 ELAC DS103and Definitive ProSub 800 have a single woofer setup however the ELAC DS103's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Definitive ProSub 800 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
DS103 has a frequency range of 31-150 Hz whereas ProSub 800 has a frequency range of 20-150 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 DS103's min frequency of 31Hz.
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 ELAC DS103's and Definitive ProSub 800's external dimensions. ELAC DS103 has external dimensions of 325.4 x 311.2 x 392.1mm () whereas 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).
ELAC DS103 is 2.6mm shorter and 30.9mm less deeper than Definitive ProSub 800 but it is also 49.2mm wider.
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 ELAC DS103 is approximately 1220.2cm2 / 189.1inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 800 is approximately 1108.3cm2 / 171.8inch2. The DS103 requires 10% more surface area than the ProSub 800 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 ELAC DS103 weighs 10.30kg / 22.7lbs and the Definitive ProSub 800 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the ProSub 800 15% heavier than the DS103.
Here is a comparison of how DS103 and ProSub 800's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
325mm
vs
328mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
31 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1108cm2
vs
1220cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
479USD
|
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.
ELAC DS103 needs about 10% more floor area. Definitive ProSub 800 stands 31mm further into the room.
| General |
ELAC DS103 |
Definitive Technology ProSub 800 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
31-150 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.4mm (12.8") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Width |
311.2mm (12.3") |
262.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
392.1mm (15.4") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Weight |
10.30kg (22.7lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
A sealed 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 | Definitive ProSub 800 goes deeper - 20Hz against 31Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Definitive ProSub 800 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 100W RMS, about 4.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | ELAC DS103 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | ELAC DS103 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Definitive ProSub 800 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. |
| Warranty | B | Definitive ProSub 800 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 | Definitive ProSub 800 costs less - $399 against $479, about 17% less. |
A ELAC DS103 B Definitive ProSub 800
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 ELAC DS103 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Definitive ProSub 800 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, ELAC DS103 is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.