In this review, we will be comparing SubSeries 250 and SubSeries 450, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by PSB. 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 PSB SubSeries 250 and PSB SubSeries 450 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 PSB SubSeries 250and PSB SubSeries 450 have a single woofer setup however the PSB SubSeries 250's woofer is 10-inch whereas the PSB SubSeries 450 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SubSeries 250 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz whereas SubSeries 450 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SubSeries 450 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SubSeries 250's min frequency of 25Hz.
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
Cabinet Type
The PSB SubSeries 250 has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs. On the other hand the PSB SubSeries 450 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or sealed designs.
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 PSB SubSeries 250's and PSB SubSeries 450's external dimensions. PSB SubSeries 250 has external dimensions of 362.0 x 348.0 x 397.0mm (14-1/4 x 13-11/16 x 15-5/8inch) whereas PSB SubSeries 450 has external dimensions of 401.0 x 413.0 x 453.0mm (15-3/4 x 16-1/4 x 17-13/16inch).
PSB SubSeries 450 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 65mm wider, 39mm taller and 56mm deeper than PSB SubSeries 250.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB SubSeries 250 and PSB SubSeries 450 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB SubSeries 250 and PSB SubSeries 450 Size and External Dimensions
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 PSB SubSeries 250 is approximately 1381.6cm2 / 214.1inch2 and base area of the PSB SubSeries 450 is approximately 1870.9cm2 / 290.0inch2. The SubSeries 250 requires 26% less surface area than the SubSeries 450 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 PSB SubSeries 250 weighs 19.09kg / 42lbs and the PSB SubSeries 450 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the SubSeries 450 7% heavier than the SubSeries 250.
Here is a comparison of how SubSeries 250 and SubSeries 450's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB SubSeries 250?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SubSeries 250:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of PSB SubSeries 450?
Here are the items that come with the SubSeries 450:
- Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille
- 8-feet Power cord
- Owners Guide (En/Fr/Sp)
- Specifications sheet
- Warranty Card
 Height |
362mm
vs
401mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1381cm2
vs
1870cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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.
PSB SubSeries 450 needs about 35% more floor area. PSB SubSeries 450 stands 56mm further into the room. PSB SubSeries 450 is 39mm taller.
| General |
PSB SubSeries 250 |
PSB SubSeries 450 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
50-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
362.0mm (14.3") |
401.0mm (15.8") |
| Width |
348.0mm (13.7") |
413.0mm (16.3") |
| Depth |
397.0mm (15.6") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| Weight |
19.09kg (42lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
A sealed subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | B | PSB SubSeries 450 goes deeper - 20Hz against 25Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | PSB SubSeries 450 has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 200W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | PSB SubSeries 450 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | PSB SubSeries 250 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; PSB SubSeries 450 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only PSB SubSeries 250 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | PSB SubSeries 250 is about 33% 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. |
| Price | A | PSB SubSeries 250 costs less - $999 against $1,999, about 50% less. |
A PSB SubSeries 250 B PSB SubSeries 450
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: PSB SubSeries 450 measures better, PSB SubSeries 250 costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, PSB SubSeries 450 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, PSB SubSeries 250 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 $999 each, two PSB SubSeries 250 cost about $1,998 against $1,999 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.