In this review, we will be comparing Nero DueVoce DualX8 and ForceField 3, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from OSD 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 and GoldenEar ForceField 3 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 GoldenEar ForceField 3 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 ForceField 3 has a frequency range of 18-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the Nero DueVoce DualX8 can go slightly deeper then the ForceField 3's min frequency of 18Hz.
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 GoldenEar ForceField 3's external dimensions. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm () whereas GoldenEar ForceField 3 has external dimensions of 288.0 x 293.0 x 432.0mm (11-5/16inch x 11-1/2inch x 17inch).
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 27.9mm narrower and 98.6mm less deeper than GoldenEar ForceField 3 but it is also 23.2mm 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 GoldenEar ForceField 3 is approximately 1265.8cm2 / 196.2inch2. The Nero DueVoce DualX8 requires 30% less surface area than the ForceField 3 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 GoldenEar ForceField 3 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the ForceField 3 52% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how Nero DueVoce DualX8 and ForceField 3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
18 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
1265cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
165 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
288mm
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.
GoldenEar ForceField 3 needs about 43% more floor area. GoldenEar ForceField 3 stands 99mm further into the room. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 23mm taller.
| General |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
GoldenEar ForceField 3 |
| Brand |
OSD |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
17-165 Hz |
18-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
130-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
311.2mm (12.3") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
| Width |
265.1mm (10.4") |
293.0mm (11.5") |
| Depth |
333.4mm (13.1") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
Different price classes - GoldenEar ForceField 3 costs roughly 2x what OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (17Hz vs 18Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | GoldenEar ForceField 3 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 130W RMS, about 8.9dB 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 | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 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. |
| Warranty | B | GoldenEar ForceField 3 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 $599, about 50% less. |
A OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 B GoldenEar ForceField 3
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: GoldenEar ForceField 3 measures better, OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $300 each, two OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 cost about $600 against $599 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.