In this review, we will be comparing SubSeries 450 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 450 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 450and PSB SubSeries BP8 have a single woofer setup however the PSB SubSeries 450's woofer is 12-inch whereas the PSB SubSeries BP8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SubSeries 450 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz whereas SubSeries BP8 has a frequency range of 25-150 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 BP8'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 450 has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the PSB SubSeries BP8 have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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 450's and PSB SubSeries BP8's external dimensions. 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) whereas PSB SubSeries BP8 has external dimensions of 355 x 330 x 330mm (14 x 13 x 13 inch).
PSB SubSeries 450 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 83mm wider, 46mm taller and 123mm deeper than PSB SubSeries BP8.
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.
PSB SubSeries 450 needs about 72% more floor or shelf area. PSB SubSeries 450 is 123mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. PSB SubSeries 450 is 46mm 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 PSB SubSeries 450 is approximately 1870.9cm2 / 290.0inch2 and base area of the PSB SubSeries BP8 is approximately 1089.0cm2 / 168.8inch2. The SubSeries 450 requires 72% 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 450 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs and the PSB SubSeries BP8 weighs 19.10kg / 42lbs. This makes the SubSeries 450 7% heavier than the SubSeries BP8.
Here is a comparison of how SubSeries 450 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 450?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SubSeries 450:
- Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille
- 8-feet Power cord
- Owners Guide (En/Fr/Sp)
- Specifications sheet
- Warranty Card
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 |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
355mm
vs
401mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1089cm2
vs
1870cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
1999USD
|
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.
PSB SubSeries 450 needs about 72% more floor area. PSB SubSeries 450 stands 123mm further into the room. PSB SubSeries 450 is 46mm taller.
| General |
PSB SubSeries 450 |
PSB SubSeries BP8 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-150 Hz |
25-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Carbon Fibre |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
High Density Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
401.0mm (15.8") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
413.0mm (16.3") |
330.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
453.0mm (17.8") |
330.0mm (13") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
19.10kg (42lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
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 |
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 | 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 BP8 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 400W RMS, about 1dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | PSB SubSeries 450 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 | PSB SubSeries 450 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; PSB SubSeries BP8 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | PSB SubSeries BP8 is about 48% 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 | B | PSB SubSeries BP8 costs less - $1,499 against $1,999, about 25% less. |
A PSB SubSeries 450 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?
PSB SubSeries 450 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 33% more. PSB SubSeries BP8 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 BP8 is usually the easier one to make sound right. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - PSB SubSeries BP8 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.