In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub X and Descend DN12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar and Definitive Technology. 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 SuperSub X and Definitive DN12 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.GoldenEar SuperSub X and Definitive DN12 have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers whereas the Descend DN12 features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz whereas Descend DN12 has a frequency range of 25-150 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 Descend DN12'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
Both GoldenEar SuperSub X and Definitive DN12 have Passive Radiator type cabinets. 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 GoldenEar SuperSub X's and Definitive DN12's external dimensions. GoldenEar SuperSub X has external dimensions of 324.0 x 356.0 x 388.0mm (12-3/4inch x 14inch x 15-1/4inch) whereas Definitive DN12 has external dimensions of 488.0 x 459.0 x 512.0mm (19-3/16inch x 18-1/16inch x 20-1/8inch).
Definitive DN12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 103mm wider, 164mm taller and 124mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub X.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Definitive DN12 in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Definitive DN12 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 GoldenEar SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2 and base area of the Definitive DN12 is approximately 2350.1cm2 / 364.3inch2. The SuperSub X requires 41% less surface area than the Descend DN12 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 GoldenEar SuperSub X weighs 18.18kg / 40lbs and the Definitive DN12 weighs 33.23kg / 73.1lbs. This makes the Descend DN12 83% heavier than the SuperSub X.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub X and Descend DN12'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 SuperSub X?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperSub X:
- Powered Subwoofer
- 10-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Definitive DN12?
Here are the items that come with the Descend DN12:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- CR2032 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)
- Owners Manual
 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 |
 Height |
324mm
vs
488mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1381cm2
vs
2350cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
1499USD
|
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.
Definitive DN12 needs about 70% more floor area. Definitive DN12 stands 124mm further into the room. Definitive DN12 is 164mm taller.
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
Definitive Technology Descend DN12 |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1400 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
12-250 Hz |
25-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1400-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
324.0mm (12.8") |
488.0mm (19.2") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
512.0mm (20.2") |
| Weight |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
33.23kg (73.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | 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 | A | GoldenEar SuperSub X has the bigger amplifier - 1400W against 500W RMS, about 4.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (2 x 8" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Definitive DN12 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Phase control | B | Definitive DN12 has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Driver placement | depends | GoldenEar SuperSub X fires side and Definitive DN12 fires front. 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 61% 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. |
| Price | B | Definitive DN12 costs less - $1,199 against $1,499, about 20% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperSub X B Definitive DN12
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. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Definitive DN12 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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.