In this review, we will be comparing Nero DueVoce DualX8 and Gravis I, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from OSD and Sonus faber. 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 Sonus faber Gravis I 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 Sonus faber Gravis I 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 Gravis I has a frequency range of 30-120 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 Gravis I's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 Sonus faber Gravis I's external dimensions. OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 has external dimensions of 311.2 x 265.1 x 333.4mm () whereas Sonus faber Gravis I has external dimensions of 337.0 x 286.0 x 340.0mm (13-1/4inch x 11-1/4inch x 13-3/8inch).
Sonus faber Gravis I is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20.9mm wider, 25.8mm taller and 6.6mm deeper than OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8.
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 Sonus faber Gravis I is approximately 972.4cm2 / 150.7inch2. The Nero DueVoce DualX8 requires 9% less surface area than the Gravis I 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 Sonus faber Gravis I weighs 14.55kg / 32lbs. This makes the Gravis I 87% heavier than the Nero DueVoce DualX8.
Here is a comparison of how Nero DueVoce DualX8 and Gravis I's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
165 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
311mm
vs
337mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
883cm2
vs
972cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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.
Sonus faber Gravis I needs about 10% more floor area. Sonus faber Gravis I is 26mm taller.
| General |
OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 |
Sonus faber Gravis I |
| Brand |
OSD |
Sonus faber |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
17-165 Hz |
30-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
130-watt RMS |
150-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 |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
311.2mm (12.3") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Width |
265.1mm (10.4") |
286.0mm (11.3") |
| Depth |
333.4mm (13.1") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
14.55kg (32lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Piano Black,Matte White |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Yr/3 Yr registered |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Yr/3 Yr registered |
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 30Hz. 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 150W 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; Sonus faber Gravis I 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 | A | OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 costs less - $300 against $999, about 70% less. |
A OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 B Sonus faber Gravis I
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, Sonus faber Gravis I is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $999 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.