In this review, we will be comparing DS123 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 DS123 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 DS123and OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 have a single woofer setup however the ELAC DS123's woofer is 12-inch whereas the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
DS123 has a frequency range of 28-150 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 DS123's min frequency of 28Hz.
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 DS123's and OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8's external dimensions. ELAC DS123 has external dimensions of 374.7 x 360.4 x 446.1mm () whereas OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm ().
ELAC DS123 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 95.3mm wider, 63.5mm taller and 112.7mm 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 DS123 is approximately 1607.7cm2 / 249.2inch2 and base area of the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is approximately 883.8cm2 / 137.0inch2. The DS123 requires 82% 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 DS123 weighs 13.70kg / 30.1lbs and the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the DS123 76% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how DS123 and Nero DueVoce DualX8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
165 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
311mm
vs
374mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
1607cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
599USD
|
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 DS123 needs about 82% more floor area. ELAC DS123 stands 113mm further into the room. ELAC DS123 is 64mm taller.
| General |
ELAC DS123 |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
OSD |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
28-150 Hz |
17-165 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
130-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
400-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
374.7mm (14.8") |
311.2mm (12.3") |
| Width |
360.4mm (14.2") |
265.1mm (10.4") |
| Depth |
446.1mm (17.6") |
333.4mm (13.1") |
| Weight |
13.70kg (30.1lbs) |
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 28Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | ELAC DS123 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 130W RMS, about 1.9dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | ELAC DS123 moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | ELAC DS123 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 54% 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 $599, about 50% less. |
A ELAC DS123 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. 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 DS123 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 $599 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.