In this review, we will be comparing SubSeries 250 and SubSeries BP8, 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 BP8 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 BP8 have a single woofer setup however the PSB SubSeries 250's woofer is 10-inch whereas the PSB SubSeries BP8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SubSeries 250 and SubSeries BP8 has exactly the same frequency range of 25-150 Hz.
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
Both PSB SubSeries 250 and PSB SubSeries BP8 have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. 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.
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 BP8'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 BP8 has external dimensions of 355 x 330 x 330mm (14 x 13 x 13 inch).
PSB SubSeries 250 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 18mm wider, 7mm taller and 67mm deeper than PSB SubSeries BP8.
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 BP8 is approximately 1089.0cm2 / 168.8inch2. The SubSeries 250 requires 27% more surface area than the SubSeries BP8 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 BP8 weighs 19.10kg / 42lbs. This makes the SubSeries BP8 0% heavier than the SubSeries 250.
Here is a comparison of how SubSeries 250 and SubSeries BP8'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 BP8?
Here are the items that come with the SubSeries BP8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille
- 8-feet Power cord
- Owners Guide
- Specifications sheet
- Warranty Card
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
355mm
vs
362mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1089cm2
vs
1381cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 250 needs about 27% more floor area. PSB SubSeries 250 stands 67mm further into the room.
| General |
PSB SubSeries 250 |
PSB SubSeries BP8 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
25-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Carbon Fibre |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
High Density Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
50-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
362.0mm (14.3") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
348.0mm (13.7") |
330.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
397.0mm (15.6") |
330.0mm (13") |
| Weight |
19.09kg (42lbs) |
19.10kg (42lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Satin Black, Satin White |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
Siblings in PSB's SubSeries range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (25Hz vs 25Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | PSB SubSeries BP8 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 200W RMS, about 4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | PSB SubSeries 250 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | PSB SubSeries BP8 is about 23% 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 $1,499, about 33% less. |
A PSB SubSeries 250 B PSB SubSeries BP8
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.
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.