In this review, we will be comparing Nostala FT12 and SuperSub X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Emotiva 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 Emotiva Nostala FT12 and GoldenEar SuperSub X 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.Emotiva Nostala FT12 and GoldenEar SuperSub X have a totally different setup: the Emotiva Nostala FT12 features 1 x 12-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Nostala FT12 has a frequency range of 25-150 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 Nostala FT12's min frequency of 25Hz.
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 Emotiva Nostala FT12 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 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
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 Emotiva Nostala FT12's and GoldenEar SuperSub X's external dimensions. Emotiva Nostala FT12 has external dimensions of 495.0 x 387.0 x 508.0mm (19-1/2 x 15-1/4 x 20inch) 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).
Emotiva Nostala FT12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 31mm wider, 171mm taller and 120mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub X.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Emotiva Nostala FT12 needs about 42% more floor or shelf area. Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 120mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 171mm taller.
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 Emotiva Nostala FT12 is approximately 1966.0cm2 / 304.7inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2. The Nostala FT12 requires 42% 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 Emotiva Nostala FT12 weighs 30.84kg / 67.8lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub X weighs 18.18kg / 40lbs. This makes the Nostala FT12 70% heavier than the SuperSub X.
Here is a comparison of how Nostala FT12 and SuperSub X'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 |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 10.5-inch x 9.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
324mm
vs
495mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1381cm2
vs
1966cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
1799USD
|
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.
Emotiva Nostala FT12 needs about 42% more floor area. Emotiva Nostala FT12 stands 120mm further into the room. Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 171mm taller.
| General |
Emotiva Nostala FT12 |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
1400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
12-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
1400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
495.0mm (19.5") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Width |
387.0mm (15.2") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
508.0mm (20") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Weight |
30.84kg (67.8lbs) |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
3 Years |
A ported 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 | GoldenEar SuperSub X goes deeper - 12Hz against 25Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X has the bigger amplifier - 1400W against 800W RMS, about 2.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 2 x 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Emotiva Nostala FT12 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; GoldenEar SuperSub X 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. |
| Phase control | A | Emotiva Nostala FT12 has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Driver placement | depends | Emotiva Nostala FT12 fires front and GoldenEar SuperSub X fires side. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | GoldenEar SuperSub X 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 | A | Emotiva Nostala FT12 carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X costs less - $1,499 against $1,799, about 17% less. |
A Emotiva Nostala FT12 B GoldenEar SuperSub X
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. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - GoldenEar SuperSub X is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.