In this review, we will be comparing Nero DueVoce DualX8 and Elite ES12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from OSD and Polk 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 Polk Signature Elite ES12 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 OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8and Polk Signature Elite ES12 have a single woofer setup however the OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Polk Signature Elite ES12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Nero DueVoce DualX8 has a frequency range of 17-165 Hz whereas Elite ES12 has a frequency range of 22-250 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 Elite ES12's min frequency of 22Hz.
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
Polk Signature Elite ES12
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
Polk Signature Elite ES12 double Port
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 Polk Signature Elite ES12's external dimensions. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm () whereas Polk Signature Elite ES12 has external dimensions of 231.0 x 364.0 x 532.0mm (9-1/16inch x 14-5/16inch x 20-15/16inch).
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 98.9mm narrower and 198.6mm less deeper than Polk Signature Elite ES12 but it is also 80.2mm 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 Polk Signature Elite ES12 is approximately 1936.5cm2 / 300.2inch2. The Nero DueVoce DualX8 requires 54% less surface area than the Elite ES12 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 Polk Signature Elite ES12 weighs 21.64kg / 47.6lbs. This makes the Elite ES12 177% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how Nero DueVoce DualX8 and Elite ES12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
1936cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
849USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
165 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
231mm
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.
Polk Signature Elite ES12 needs about 119% more floor area. Polk Signature Elite ES12 stands 199mm further into the room. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is 80mm taller.
| General |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
Polk Signature Elite ES12 |
| Brand |
OSD |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
17-165 Hz |
22-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
130-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Mineral-filled polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
311.2mm (12.3") |
231.0mm (9.1") |
| Width |
265.1mm (10.4") |
364.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
333.4mm (13.1") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
21.64kg (47.6lbs) |
| 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 22Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Polk Signature Elite ES12 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 130W RMS, about 3.6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Polk Signature Elite ES12 moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| 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; Polk Signature Elite ES12 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is about 39% 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 | Polk Signature Elite ES12 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 $849, about 65% less. |
A OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 B Polk Signature Elite ES12
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: Polk Signature Elite ES12 measures better, OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 costs about 65% 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 $849 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.