In this review, we will be comparing DS103 and Nero DueVoce DualX8, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC 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 ELAC DS103 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.Both ELAC DS103and OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 have a single woofer setup however the ELAC DS103's woofer is 10-inch whereas the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
DS103 has a frequency range of 31-150 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 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8's external dimensions. ELAC DS103 has external dimensions of 325.4 x 311.2 x 392.1mm () whereas OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm ().
ELAC DS103 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 46.1mm wider, 14.2mm taller and 58.7mm deeper than OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8.
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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is approximately 883.8cm2 / 137.0inch2. The DS103 requires 38% 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 ELAC DS103 weighs 10.30kg / 22.7lbs and the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the DS103 32% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how DS103 and Nero DueVoce DualX8'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 |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
31 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
165 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
311mm
vs
325mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
1220cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
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 38% more floor area. ELAC DS103 stands 59mm further into the room. ELAC DS103 is 14mm taller.
| General |
ELAC DS103 |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
OSD |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
31-150 Hz |
17-165 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
130-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.4mm (12.8") |
311.2mm (12.3") |
| Width |
311.2mm (12.3") |
265.1mm (10.4") |
| Depth |
392.1mm (15.4") |
333.4mm (13.1") |
| Weight |
10.30kg (22.7lbs) |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 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 | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 goes deeper - 17Hz 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 | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has the bigger amplifier - 130W against 100W RMS, about 1.1dB 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; 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is about 31% 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 | B | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 carries 2 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 | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 costs less - $300 against $479, about 37% less. |
A ELAC DS103 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?
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 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, OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 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. 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 $479 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.