In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub XXL and PB16-Ultra, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar and SVS. 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 SVS PB16-Ultra 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 XXL and SVS PB16-Ultra have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers whereas the PB16-Ultra features 1 x 16-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub XXL has a frequency range of 10-250 Hz whereas PB16-Ultra has a frequency range of 13-280 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the SuperSub XXL can go slightly deeper then the PB16-Ultra's min frequency of 13Hz.
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 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 SVS PB16-Ultra 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 XXL's and SVS PB16-Ultra'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 SVS PB16-Ultra has external dimensions of 635.0 x 553.0 x 788.0mm (25 x 21-3/4 x 31inch).
SVS PB16-Ultra is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 68mm wider, 188mm taller and 354mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub XXL.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar SuperSub XXL and SVS PB16-Ultra in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar SuperSub XXL and SVS PB16-Ultra 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 SVS PB16-Ultra is approximately 4357.6cm2 / 675.4inch2. The SuperSub XXL requires 52% less surface area than the PB16-Ultra 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 XXL weighs 37.27kg / 82lbs and the SVS PB16-Ultra weighs 79.32kg / 174.5lbs. This makes the PB16-Ultra 113% heavier than the SuperSub XXL.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub XXL and PB16-Ultra'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 XXL?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperSub XXL:
- Powered Subwoofer
- 10-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of SVS PB16-Ultra?
Here are the items that come with the PB16-Ultra:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 5-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (3V battery installed)
- Owners Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
13 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
two 13-inch x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
447mm
vs
635mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2104cm2
vs
4357cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
2900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
280 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
SVS PB16-Ultra |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1600 watts |
1500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
10-250 Hz |
13-280 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1600-watt RMS |
1500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
16" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiber |
Composite fiberglass/resin |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
447.0mm (17.6") |
635.0mm (25") |
| Width |
485.0mm (19.1") |
553.0mm (21.8") |
| Depth |
434.0mm (17.1") |
788.0mm (31") |
| Weight |
37.27kg (82lbs) |
79.32kg (174.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 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 XXL goes deeper - 10Hz against 13Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (1600W vs 1500W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (2 x 12" against 16"). |
| Enclosure | depends | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; SVS PB16-Ultra 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. |
| Phase control | B | SVS PB16-Ultra 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 XXL fires side and SVS PB16-Ultra 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 XXL is about 66% 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 | B | SVS PB16-Ultra carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL costs less - $2,499 against $2,900, about 14% less. |
A GoldenEar SuperSub XXL B SVS PB16-Ultra
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: SVS PB16-Ultra measures better, GoldenEar SuperSub XXL costs about 14% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - GoldenEar SuperSub XXL 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.