In this review, we will be comparing SuperSub XXL and SB16-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 SB16-Ultra 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 SVS SB16-Ultra 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 SVS SB16-Ultra have a totally different setup: the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers whereas the SB16-Ultra features 1 x 16-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SuperSub XXL has a frequency range of 10-250 Hz whereas SB16-Ultra has a frequency range of 16-460 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 SB16-Ultra's min frequency of 16Hz.
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 SB16-Ultra 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 SVS SB16-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 SB16-Ultra has external dimensions of 508.0 x 496.0 x 512.0mm ( 20 x 19-1/2 x 20-1/8inch) .
SVS SB16-Ultra is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 11mm wider, 61mm taller and 78mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub XXL.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar SuperSub XXL and SVS SB16-Ultra in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar SuperSub XXL and SVS SB16-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 SB16-Ultra is approximately 2539.5cm2 / 393.6inch2. The SuperSub XXL requires 17% less surface area than the SB16-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 SB16-Ultra weighs 55.45kg / 122lbs. This makes the SB16-Ultra 49% heavier than the SuperSub XXL.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSub XXL and SB16-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 Subwoofer10-feet AC power cordOwners Manual
What's in the Box of SVS SB16-Ultra?
Here are the items that come with the SB16-Ultra:
Powered subwooferGrille8-feet AC power cordRemote controlOwners Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
16 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
two 13-inch x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
447mm
vs
508mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2104cm2 (485x434mm)
vs
2539cm2 (496x512mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
460k Hz
vs
250k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
| App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
2300USD
vs
2499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
SVS SB16-Ultra |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1600 watts |
1500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
10-250 Hz |
16-460 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") |
508.0mm (20") |
| Width |
485.0mm (19.1") |
496.0mm (19.5") |
| Depth |
434.0mm (17.1") |
512.0mm (20.2") |
| Weight |
37.27kg (82lbs) |
55.45kg (122lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |