In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub XXL and Silver W-12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar and Monitor Audio . 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 XXL and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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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 XXL and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers whereas the Silver W-12 features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub XXL has a frequency range of 10-250 Hz whereas Silver W-12 has a frequency range of 20-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the SuperSub XXL can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Silver W-12's min frequency of 20Hz.
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
Monitor Audio Silver W-12
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver W-12
Cabinet Type
The GoldenEar SuperSub XXL 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 Monitor Audio Silver W-12 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 XXL's and Monitor Audio Silver W-12's external dimensions. GoldenEar SuperSub XXL has external dimensions of 447.0 x 485.0 x 434.0mm ( 17-9/16inch x 19-1/16inch x 17-1/16inch ) whereas Monitor Audio Silver W-12 has external dimensions of 355.0 x 342.0 x 445.0mm ( 13-15/16 x 13-7/16 x 17-1/2inch) .
Monitor Audio Silver W-12 is 143mm narrower and 92mm shorter than GoldenEar SuperSub XXL but it is also 11mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar SuperSub XXL and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar SuperSub XXL and Monitor Audio Silver W-12 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 XXL is approximately 2104.9cm2 / 326.3inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Silver W-12 is approximately 1521.9cm2 / 235.9inch2. The SuperSub XXL requires 38% more surface area than the Silver W-12 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 XXL weighs 37.27kg / 82lbs and the Monitor Audio Silver W-12 weighs 20.14kg / 44.3lbs. This makes the SuperSub XXL 85% heavier than the Silver W-12.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub XXL and Silver W-12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver W-12
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperSub XXL?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperSub XXL:
Powered Subwoofer10-feet AC power cordOwners Manual
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Silver W-12?
Here are the items that come with the Silver W-12:
Powered sub6-feet AC power cordGrilleAuto setup mic (w/ attached 19.5-feet cable)10.75-feet Mono minijack cable4 FeetOwners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250k Hz
vs
120k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 13-inch x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
355mm
vs
447mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1521cm2 (342x445mm)
vs
2104cm2 (485x434mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2100USD
vs
2499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
Monitor Audio Silver W-12 |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1600 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
10-250 Hz |
20-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1600-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber |
C-CAM |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
447.0mm (17.6") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
485.0mm (19.1") |
342.0mm (13.5") |
| Depth |
434.0mm (17.1") |
445.0mm (17.5") |
| Weight |
37.27kg (82lbs) |
20.14kg (44.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |