In this review, we will be comparing Varro PS350-BK and ForceField 30, 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 PS350-BK and GoldenEar ForceField 30 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 PS350-BK and GoldenEar ForceField 30 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.Both ELAC Varro PS350-BKand GoldenEar ForceField 30 have a single woofer setup however the ELAC Varro PS350-BK's woofer is 12-inch whereas the GoldenEar ForceField 30 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Varro PS350-BK has a frequency range of 24-150 Hz whereas ForceField 30 has a frequency range of 18-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the ForceField 30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Varro PS350-BK's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 PS350-BK has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the GoldenEar ForceField 30 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 PS350-BK's and GoldenEar ForceField 30's external dimensions. ELAC Varro PS350-BK has external dimensions of 439.0 x 418.0 x 420.0mm ( 17-1/4inch x 16-7/16inch x 16-1/2inch ) whereas GoldenEar ForceField 30 has external dimensions of 324.0 x 291.0 x 421.0mm ( 12-3/4inch x 11-7/16inch x 16-9/16inch ) .
GoldenEar ForceField 30 is 127mm narrower and 115mm shorter than ELAC Varro PS350-BK but it is also 1mm deeper.
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 PS350-BK is approximately 1755.6cm2 / 272.1inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar ForceField 30 is approximately 1225.1cm2 / 189.9inch2. The Varro PS350-BK requires 43% more surface area than the ForceField 30 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 Varro PS350-BK weighs 21.86kg / 48.1lbs and the GoldenEar ForceField 30 weighs 14.32kg / 31.5lbs. This makes the Varro PS350-BK 53% heavier than the ForceField 30.
Here is a comparison of how Varro PS350-BK and ForceField 30'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 PS350-BK?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Varro PS350-BK:
Grill Power Cord 4 Spikes
What's in the Box of GoldenEar ForceField 30?
Here are the items that come with the ForceField 30:
Powered subwoofer10-feet AC power cordQuick Start GuideOwners Manual
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250k Hz
vs
150k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
324mm
vs
439mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1225cm2 (291x421mm)
vs
1755cm2 (418x420mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
ELAC Varro PS350-BK |
GoldenEar ForceField 30 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
350 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-150 Hz |
18-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
700-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
front and bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
439.0mm (17.3") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Width |
418.0mm (16.5") |
291.0mm (11.5") |
| Depth |
420.0mm (16.5") |
421.0mm (16.6") |
| Weight |
21.86kg (48.1lbs) |
14.32kg (31.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
3 Years |