In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub X and C-308ASWi, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar and Klipsch. 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers whereas the C-308ASWi features 1 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz whereas C-308ASWi has a frequency range of 28-150 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 C-308ASWi's min frequency of 28Hz.
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 Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi'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 Klipsch C-308ASWi has external dimensions of 299.0 x 286.0 x 356.0mm (11-3/4 x 11-1/4 x 14inch).
GoldenEar SuperSub X is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 70mm wider, 25mm taller and 32mm deeper than Klipsch C-308ASWi.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Klipsch C-308ASWi in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi is approximately 1018.2cm2 / 157.8inch2. The SuperSub X requires 36% more surface area than the C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi weighs 12.27kg / 27lbs. This makes the SuperSub X 48% heavier than the C-308ASWi.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub X and C-308ASWi'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 Klipsch C-308ASWi?
Here are the items that come with the C-308ASWi:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
28 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 |
299mm
vs
324mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1018cm2
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 |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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.
GoldenEar SuperSub X needs about 36% more floor area. GoldenEar SuperSub X stands 32mm further into the room. GoldenEar SuperSub X is 25mm taller.
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
Klipsch C Series C-308ASWi |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1400 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
12-250 Hz |
28-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1400-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
324.0mm (12.8") |
299.0mm (11.8") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Weight |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
12.27kg (27lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | GoldenEar SuperSub X goes deeper - 12Hz against 28Hz. 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 300W RMS, about 6.7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | GoldenEar SuperSub X moves more air: 2 x 8" against 8" is 2x the cone area, not the 1.41x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Klipsch C-308ASWi 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch C-308ASWi offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Phase control | B | Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 | Klipsch C-308ASWi is about 32% 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 | GoldenEar SuperSub X carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Klipsch C-308ASWi costs less - $1,299 against $1,499, about 13% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperSub X B Klipsch C-308ASWi
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?
The usual trade-off: GoldenEar SuperSub X measures better, Klipsch C-308ASWi costs about 13% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 - Klipsch C-308ASWi 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.