In this review, we will be comparing Nero DueVoce DualX8 and SX-120, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from OSD and Cambridge Audio. 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 and Cambridge Audio SX-120 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.OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8and Cambridge Audio SX-120 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
Nero DueVoce DualX8 has a frequency range of 17-165 Hz whereas SX-120 has a frequency range of 34-150 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 SX-120's min frequency of 34Hz.
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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8's and Cambridge Audio SX-120's external dimensions. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm () whereas Cambridge Audio SX-120 has external dimensions of 296.0 x 297.0 x 350.0mm (11-5/8 x 11-11/16 x 13-3/4inch).
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 31.9mm narrower and 16.6mm less deeper than Cambridge Audio SX-120 but it is also 15.2mm 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is approximately 883.8cm2 / 137.0inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio SX-120 is approximately 1039.5cm2 / 161.1inch2. The Nero DueVoce DualX8 requires 15% less surface area than the SX-120 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs and the Cambridge Audio SX-120 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Nero DueVoce DualX8 1% heavier than the SX-120.
Here is a comparison of how Nero DueVoce DualX8 and SX-120's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
165 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
1039cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
319USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
296mm
vs
311mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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.
Cambridge Audio SX-120 needs about 18% more floor area. Cambridge Audio SX-120 stands 17mm further into the room. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 15mm taller.
| General |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
Cambridge Audio SX-120 |
| Brand |
OSD |
Cambridge Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
17-165 Hz |
34-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
130-watt RMS |
70-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Treated Paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
311.2mm (12.3") |
296.0mm (11.7") |
| Width |
265.1mm (10.4") |
297.0mm (11.7") |
| Depth |
333.4mm (13.1") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 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 | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 goes deeper - 17Hz against 34Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has the bigger amplifier - 130W against 70W RMS, about 2.7dB 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 | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; Cambridge Audio SX-120 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. |
| Warranty | B | Cambridge Audio SX-120 carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 costs less - $300 against $319, about 6% less. |
A OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 B Cambridge Audio SX-120
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?
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
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.