In this review, we will be comparing Varro DS1000-BG and ForceField 40, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC and GoldenEar. 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 Varro DS1000-BG and GoldenEar ForceField 40 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the ELAC Varro DS1000-BG and GoldenEar ForceField 40 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.ELAC Varro DS1000-BG and GoldenEar ForceField 40 have a totally different setup: the ELAC Varro DS1000-BG features 2 x 10-inch drivers whereas the ForceField 40 features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Varro DS1000-BG has a frequency range of 18-150 Hz whereas ForceField 40 has a frequency range of 14-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 14Hz, the ForceField 40 can go slightly deeper then the Varro DS1000-BG's min frequency of 18Hz.
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 ELAC Varro DS1000-BG has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs. On the other hand the GoldenEar ForceField 40 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Varro DS1000-BG's and GoldenEar ForceField 40's external dimensions. ELAC Varro DS1000-BG has external dimensions of 372.0 x 431.0 x 372.0mm ( 14-5/8inch x 16-15/16inch x 14-5/8inch ) whereas GoldenEar ForceField 40 has external dimensions of 378.0 x 339.0 x 485.0mm ( 14-7/8inch x 13-5/16inch x 19-1/16inch ) .
ELAC Varro DS1000-BG is 6mm shorter and 113mm less deeper than GoldenEar ForceField 40 but it is also 92mm 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 Varro DS1000-BG is approximately 1603.3cm2 / 248.5inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar ForceField 40 is approximately 1644.2cm2 / 254.9inch2. The Varro DS1000-BG requires 2% less surface area than the ForceField 40 which gives it a small advantage 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 Varro DS1000-BG weighs 32.45kg / 71.4lbs and the GoldenEar ForceField 40 weighs 18.41kg / 40.5lbs. This makes the Varro DS1000-BG 76% heavier than the ForceField 40.
Here is a comparison of how Varro DS1000-BG and ForceField 40's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Varro DS1000-BG?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Varro DS1000-BG:
2 Grilles Power Cord 4 Spikes
What's in the Box of GoldenEar ForceField 40?
Here are the items that come with the ForceField 40:
Powered subwoofer10-feet AC power cordQuick Start GuideOwners Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
372mm
vs
378mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1603cm2 (431x372mm)
vs
1644cm2 (339x485mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Low Frequency Response |
14 Hz
vs
18 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250k Hz
vs
150k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
2499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ELAC Varro DS1000-BG |
GoldenEar ForceField 40 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
18-150 Hz |
14-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
2000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front and bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
372.0mm (14.6") |
378.0mm (14.9") |
| Width |
431.0mm (17") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Depth |
372.0mm (14.6") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
32.45kg (71.4lbs) |
18.41kg (40.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
n/a |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
3 Years |