In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub X and MilleniaSub, 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 MilleniaSub 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 MilleniaSub have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers whereas the MilleniaSub features 1 x -inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz whereas MilleniaSub has a frequency range of 24-150 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 MilleniaSub'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 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 MilleniaSub 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
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 MilleniaSub'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 MilleniaSub has external dimensions of 386.0 x 180.0 x 467.0mm (15-3/16inch x 7-1/16inch x 18-3/8inch).
GoldenEar SuperSub X is 62mm shorter and 79mm less deeper than Paradigm MilleniaSub but it is also 176mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
GoldenEar SuperSub X needs about 64% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm MilleniaSub is 79mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm MilleniaSub is 62mm 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 SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2 and base area of the Paradigm MilleniaSub is approximately 840.6cm2 / 130.3inch2. The SuperSub X requires 64% more surface area than the MilleniaSub 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the SuperSub X 67% heavier than the MilleniaSub.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub X and MilleniaSub'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 MilleniaSub?
Here are the items that come with the MilleniaSub:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Stand
- 4 Feet
- 4 Locking collars
- 4 Felt-pads
- 2 Screws
- 4 Rubber inserts
- Owners Manual
- Important Operating Info
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
24 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 |
324mm
vs
386mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
1699USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Base Surface Area |
840cm2
vs
1381cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 64% more floor area. Paradigm MilleniaSub stands 79mm further into the room. Paradigm MilleniaSub is 62mm taller.
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
Paradigm MilleniaSub |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1400 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
12-250 Hz |
24-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1400-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber |
Reinforced Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front and back |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
324.0mm (12.8") |
386.0mm (15.2") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
467.0mm (18.4") |
| Weight |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a sealed 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 24Hz. 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. |
| 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 MilleniaSub is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Phase control | B | Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 MilleniaSub fires front/rear. 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 | Paradigm MilleniaSub is about 27% 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 | A | GoldenEar SuperSub X costs less - $1,499 against $1,699, about 12% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperSub X B Paradigm MilleniaSub
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?
GoldenEar SuperSub X has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, GoldenEar SuperSub X will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Paradigm MilleniaSub is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.