In this review, we will be comparing CR8SBT and SA-CS9, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Mackie and Sony. 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 Sony SA-CS9 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.Both Mackie CR8SBTand Sony SA-CS9 have a single woofer setup however the Mackie CR8SBT's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Sony SA-CS9 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
CR8SBT has a frequency range of 37-400 Hz whereas SA-CS9 has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the SA-CS9 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 Sony SA-CS9's external dimensions. Mackie CR8SBT has external dimensions of 368.3 x 322.3 x 457.2mm () whereas Sony SA-CS9 has external dimensions of 345.0 x 295.0 x 400.0mm (11.6 x 13.6 x 15.7 inch).
Mackie CR8SBT is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27.3mm wider, 23.3mm taller and 57.2mm deeper than Sony SA-CS9.
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 25% more floor or shelf area. Mackie CR8SBT is 57mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Mackie CR8SBT is 23mm 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 Sony SA-CS9 is approximately 1180.0cm2 / 182.9inch2. The CR8SBT requires 25% more surface area than the SA-CS9 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 Sony SA-CS9 weighs 11.50kg / 25.3lbs. This makes the CR8SBT 0% heavier than the SA-CS9.
Here is a comparison of how CR8SBT and SA-CS9's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
400 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
200USD
vs
248USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
37 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
345mm
vs
368mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1180cm2
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 25% more floor area. Mackie CR8SBT stands 57mm further into the room. Mackie CR8SBT is 23mm taller.
| General |
Mackie CR8SBT |
Sony SA-CS9 |
| Brand |
Mackie |
Sony |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
37-400 Hz |
28-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
115-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
foamed-mica cellular reinforced |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
368.3mm (14.5") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
| Width |
322.3mm (12.7") |
295.0mm (11.6") |
| Depth |
457.2mm (18") |
400.0mm (15.7") |
| Weight |
11.52kg (25.3lbs) |
11.50kg (25.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
|
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
|
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Sony SA-CS9 goes deeper - 28Hz against 37Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 37Hz. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (100W vs 115W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | Sony SA-CS9 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Sony SA-CS9 is about 25% 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 | Mackie CR8SBT costs less - $200 against $248, about 19% less. |
A Mackie CR8SBT B Sony SA-CS9
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: Sony SA-CS9 measures better, Mackie CR8SBT costs about 19% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two.
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.