In this review, we will be comparing ForceField 4 and Dynamo 800X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar and MartinLogan. 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 GoldenEar ForceField 4 and MartinLogan 800X first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the GoldenEar ForceField 4 and MartinLogan 800X 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.GoldenEar ForceField 4and MartinLogan 800X have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
ForceField 4 has a frequency range of 14-250 Hz whereas Dynamo 800X has a frequency range of 24-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 14Hz, the ForceField 4 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dynamo 800X'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 GoldenEar ForceField 4 has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the MartinLogan 800X have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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.
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 GoldenEar ForceField 4's and MartinLogan 800X's external dimensions. GoldenEar ForceField 4 has external dimensions of 331.0 x 340.0 x 482.0mm ( 13inch x 13-3/8inch x 18-15/16inch ) whereas MartinLogan 800X has external dimensions of 351.0 x 318.0 x 350.0mm ( 13-13/16 x 12-1/2 x 13-3/4inch) .
MartinLogan 800X is 22mm narrower and 132mm less deeper than GoldenEar ForceField 4 but it is also 20mm 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 GoldenEar ForceField 4 is approximately 1638.8cm2 / 254.0inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 800X is approximately 1113.0cm2 / 172.5inch2. The ForceField 4 requires 47% more surface area than the Dynamo 800X 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 GoldenEar ForceField 4 weighs 14.55kg / 32lbs and the MartinLogan 800X weighs 13.64kg / 30lbs. This makes the ForceField 4 7% heavier than the Dynamo 800X.
Here is a comparison of how ForceField 4 and Dynamo 800X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar ForceField 4?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ForceField 4:
Powered Subwoofer10-feet AC power cordOwners Manual
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 800X?
Here are the items that come with the Dynamo 800X:
Powered subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cordUser-feets Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
14 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250k Hz
vs
200k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
331mm
vs
351mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
1113cm2
vs
1638cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| General |
GoldenEar ForceField 4 |
MartinLogan Dynamo 800X |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1200 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
14-250 Hz |
24-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front and bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
331.0mm (13") |
351.0mm (13.8") |
| Width |
340.0mm (13.4") |
318.0mm (12.5") |
| Depth |
482.0mm (19") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
14.55kg (32lbs) |
13.64kg (30lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Satin Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |