In this review, we will be comparing Nero DueVoce DualX8 and SUB8, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from OSD and Kanto. 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 Kanto SUB8 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 Kanto SUB8 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 SUB8 has a frequency range of 35-175 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 SUB8's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 Kanto SUB8's external dimensions. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm () whereas Kanto SUB8 has external dimensions of 301.0 x 281.0 x 329.0mm (11-13/16 x 11-1/16 x 12-15/16inch).
Kanto SUB8 is 10.2mm shorter and 4.4mm less deeper than OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 but it is also 15.9mm wider.
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.
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 Kanto SUB8 is approximately 924.5cm2 / 143.3inch2. The Nero DueVoce DualX8 requires 4% less surface area than the SUB8 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 Kanto SUB8 weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the SUB8 0% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how Nero DueVoce DualX8 and SUB8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
924cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
165 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
301mm
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.
Near-identical footprints.
| General |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
Kanto SUB8 |
| Brand |
OSD |
Kanto |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
17-165 Hz |
35-175 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
130-watt RMS |
125-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
311.2mm (12.3") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
265.1mm (10.4") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
333.4mm (13.1") |
329.0mm (13") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a sealed 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 35Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (130W vs 125W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| 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; Kanto SUB8 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 B Kanto SUB8
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. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Kanto SUB8 is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.