In this review, we will be comparing CR8SBT and Nero DueVoce DualX8, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Mackie and OSD. 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 Mackie CR8SBT and OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 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.Mackie CR8SBTand OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
CR8SBT has a frequency range of 37-400 Hz whereas Nero DueVoce DualX8 has a frequency range of 17-165 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the Nero DueVoce DualX8 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CR8SBT's min frequency of 37Hz.
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
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 Mackie CR8SBT's and OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8's external dimensions. Mackie CR8SBT has external dimensions of 368.3 x 322.3 x 457.2mm () whereas OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm ().
Mackie CR8SBT is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 57.2mm wider, 57.1mm taller and 123.8mm deeper than OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8.
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.
Mackie CR8SBT needs about 67% more floor or shelf area. Mackie CR8SBT is 124mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Mackie CR8SBT is 57mm 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 Mackie CR8SBT is approximately 1473.6cm2 / 228.4inch2 and base area of the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is approximately 883.8cm2 / 137.0inch2. The CR8SBT requires 67% more surface area than the Nero DueVoce DualX8 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 Mackie CR8SBT weighs 11.52kg / 25.3lbs and the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the CR8SBT 48% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how CR8SBT and Nero DueVoce DualX8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
400 Hz
vs
165 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
200USD
vs
300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
37 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
311mm
vs
368mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
1473cm2
|
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.
Mackie CR8SBT needs about 67% more floor area. Mackie CR8SBT stands 124mm further into the room. Mackie CR8SBT is 57mm taller.
| General |
Mackie CR8SBT |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
| Brand |
Mackie |
OSD |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
37-400 Hz |
17-165 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
130-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
368.3mm (14.5") |
311.2mm (12.3") |
| Width |
322.3mm (12.7") |
265.1mm (10.4") |
| Depth |
457.2mm (18") |
333.4mm (13.1") |
| Weight |
11.52kg (25.3lbs) |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | B | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 goes deeper - 17Hz against 37Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has the bigger amplifier - 130W against 100W RMS, about 1.1dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Mackie CR8SBT is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is about 49% 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 | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 carries 2 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Mackie CR8SBT costs less - $200 against $300, about 33% less. |
A Mackie CR8SBT B OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8
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: OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 measures better, Mackie CR8SBT costs about 33% 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 - OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 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.