In this review, we will be comparing Abyss 8 and SuperSub X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from MartinLogan and GoldenEar. 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 MartinLogan Abyss 8 and GoldenEar SuperSub X 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.MartinLogan Abyss 8 and GoldenEar SuperSub X have a totally different setup: the MartinLogan Abyss 8 features 1 x 8-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Abyss 8 has a frequency range of 23-200 Hz whereas SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 12Hz, the SuperSub X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Abyss 8's min frequency of 23Hz.
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 MartinLogan Abyss 8's and GoldenEar SuperSub X's external dimensions. MartinLogan Abyss 8 has external dimensions of 342.9 x 357.2 x 395.3mm () whereas GoldenEar SuperSub X has external dimensions of 324.0 x 356.0 x 388.0mm (12-3/4inch x 14inch x 15-1/4inch).
MartinLogan Abyss 8 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 1.2mm wider, 18.9mm taller and 7.3mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub X.
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.
Near-identical footprints. MartinLogan Abyss 8 is 19mm 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 MartinLogan Abyss 8 is approximately 1412.0cm2 / 218.9inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2. The Abyss 8 requires 2% more surface area than the SuperSub X 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 MartinLogan Abyss 8 weighs 21.18kg / 46.6lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub X weighs 18.18kg / 40lbs. This makes the Abyss 8 17% heavier than the SuperSub X.
Here is a comparison of how Abyss 8 and SuperSub X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Price per pair* |
1400USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
23 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 10.5-inch x 9.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
324mm
vs
342mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1381cm2
vs
1412cm2
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. MartinLogan Abyss 8 is 19mm taller.
| General |
MartinLogan Abyss 8 |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
23-200 Hz |
12-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
1400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
342.9mm (13.5") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Width |
357.2mm (14.1") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
395.3mm (15.6") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Weight |
21.18kg (46.6lbs) |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years w/ registration |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years w/ registration |
3 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X goes deeper - 12Hz against 23Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X has the bigger amplifier - 1400W against 500W RMS, about 4.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X moves more air: 2 x 8" against 8" is 2x the cone area, not the 1.41x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Price | A | MartinLogan Abyss 8 costs less - $1,400 against $1,499, about 7% less. |
A MartinLogan Abyss 8 B GoldenEar SuperSub X
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?
GoldenEar SuperSub X leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. MartinLogan Abyss 8 is the one to take if it does not.
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.