In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub X and Defiance X10, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar and Paradigm. 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 Paradigm Defiance X10 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 Paradigm Defiance X10 have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers whereas the Defiance X10 features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz whereas Defiance X10 has a frequency range of 29-240 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 Defiance X10's min frequency of 29Hz.
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 Paradigm Defiance X10 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 Paradigm Defiance X10'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 Paradigm Defiance X10 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 383.0 x 453.0mm (16-7/16inch x 15-1/16inch x 17-13/16inch).
Paradigm Defiance X10 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27mm wider, 94mm taller and 65mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub X.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Paradigm Defiance X10 in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar SuperSub X and Paradigm Defiance X10 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 Paradigm Defiance X10 is approximately 1735.0cm2 / 268.9inch2. The SuperSub X requires 20% less surface area than the Defiance X10 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 Paradigm Defiance X10 weighs 19.09kg / 42lbs. This makes the Defiance X10 5% heavier than the SuperSub X.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub X and Defiance X10'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 Paradigm Defiance X10?
Here are the items that come with the Defiance X10:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feetAC power cord
- ARC microphone
- 12
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
240 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 10.5-inch x 9.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
324mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1381cm2
vs
1735cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
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.
Paradigm Defiance X10 needs about 26% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance X10 stands 65mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance X10 is 94mm taller.
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
Paradigm Defiance X10 |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1400 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
12-250 Hz |
29-240 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1400-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
324.0mm (12.8") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Weight |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
19.09kg (42lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a ported 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 | A | GoldenEar SuperSub X goes deeper - 12Hz against 29Hz. 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 10" is 1.28x the cone area, not the 1.13x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | GoldenEar SuperSub X is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; Paradigm Defiance X10 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Paradigm Defiance X10 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 Paradigm Defiance X10 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 | Paradigm Defiance X10 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 Paradigm Defiance X10 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 38% 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 | Paradigm Defiance X10 costs less - $1,199 against $1,499, about 20% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperSub X B Paradigm Defiance X10
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, Paradigm Defiance X10 costs about 20% 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, Paradigm Defiance X10 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.