In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub X and Sub Air, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar and Focal. 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 Focal Sub Air 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.
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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.GoldenEar SuperSub X and Focal Sub Air have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers whereas the Sub Air features 1 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz whereas Sub Air has a frequency range of 40-200 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 Sub Air's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 SuperSub X 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 Focal Sub Air have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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.
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 Focal Sub Air'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 Focal Sub Air has external dimensions of 410.0 x 362.0 x 162.0mm (16-1/8 x 14-1/4 x 6-3/8inch).
GoldenEar SuperSub X is 6mm narrower and 86mm shorter than Focal Sub Air but it is also 226mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Focal Sub Air in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Focal Sub Air 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 Focal Sub Air is approximately 586.4cm2 / 90.9inch2. The SuperSub X requires 136% more surface area than the Sub Air 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 SuperSub X weighs 18.18kg / 40lbs and the Focal Sub Air weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the SuperSub X 135% heavier than the Sub Air.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub X and Sub Air'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 Focal Sub Air?
Here are the items that come with the Sub Air:
- Wireless powered subwoofer
- Wireless transmitter
- AC power adapter (attached 6-feet DC cord)
- AC power plug insert (2-prong)
- 8-feet AC power cord
- 4 Rubber feet
- 2 Brackets
- Four M4 x 10mm machine screws
- Four M4 x 17mm machine screws
- 4 Wood-screws
- 4 Wall-anchors
- User Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250k Hz
vs
200k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 10.5-inch x 9.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
324mm
vs
410mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
586cm2
vs
1381cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1299USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
Focal Sub Air |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1400 watts |
110 watts |
| Frequency Response |
12-250 Hz |
40-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1400-watt RMS |
110-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber |
Cellulose Pulp |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
324.0mm (12.8") |
410.0mm (16.1") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
162.0mm (6.4") |
| Weight |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |