In this review, we will be comparing Varro RS500-SB and SuperSub X, 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 RS500-SB and GoldenEar SuperSub X 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 RS500-SB and GoldenEar SuperSub X compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.ELAC Varro RS500-SB and GoldenEar SuperSub X have a totally different setup: the ELAC Varro RS500-SB features 1 x 10-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Varro RS500-SB has a frequency range of 18-150 Hz whereas SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 12Hz, the SuperSub X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Varro RS500-SB'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 RS500-SB 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 SuperSub X 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 RS500-SB's and GoldenEar SuperSub X's external dimensions. ELAC Varro RS500-SB has external dimensions of 381.0 x 361.0 x 388.0mm ( 15inch x 14-3/16inch x 15-1/4inch ) whereas GoldenEar SuperSub X has external dimensions of 324.0 x 356.0 x 388.0mm ( 12-3/4inch x 14inch x 15-1/4inch ) .
GoldenEar SuperSub X is 5mm narrower and 57mm shorter than ELAC Varro RS500-SB but they have the same thickness of 388.0mm.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Varro RS500-SB and GoldenEar SuperSub X in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Varro RS500-SB and GoldenEar SuperSub X Size and External Dimensions
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 RS500-SB is approximately 1400.7cm2 / 217.1inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2. The Varro RS500-SB requires 1% more surface area than the SuperSub X 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 RS500-SB weighs 20.85kg / 45.9lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub X weighs 18.18kg / 40lbs. This makes the Varro RS500-SB 15% heavier than the SuperSub X.
Here is a comparison of how Varro RS500-SB and SuperSub X'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 RS500-SB?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Varro RS500-SB:
Grill Power Cord 4 Spikes
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperSub X?
Here are the items that come with the SuperSub X:
Powered Subwoofer10-feet AC power cordOwners Manual
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
1299USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
18 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250k Hz
vs
150k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| Passive Radiator |
two 10.5-inch x 9.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
324mm
vs
381mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1381cm2 (356x388mm)
vs
1400cm2 (361x388mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
ELAC Varro RS500-SB |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
| Brand |
ELAC |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
1400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
18-150 Hz |
12-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
1400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
381.0mm (15") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Width |
361.0mm (14.2") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Weight |
20.85kg (45.9lbs) |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
| 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 |