In this review, we will be comparing SubSeries BP8 and SuperSub X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from PSB and GoldenEar. 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 BP8 and GoldenEar SuperSub X 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.PSB SubSeries BP8 and GoldenEar SuperSub X have a totally different setup: the PSB SubSeries BP8 features 1 x 8-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
SubSeries BP8 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz whereas SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 12Hz, the SuperSub X 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 BP8 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 GoldenEar SuperSub X 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 BP8's and GoldenEar SuperSub X's external dimensions. PSB SubSeries BP8 has external dimensions of 355 x 330 x 330mm (14 x 13 x 13 inch) whereas GoldenEar SuperSub X has external dimensions of 324.0 x 356.0 x 388.0mm (12-3/4inch x 14inch x 15-1/4inch).
PSB SubSeries BP8 is 26mm narrower and 58mm less deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub X but it is also 31mm taller.
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.
GoldenEar SuperSub X needs about 27% more floor or shelf area. GoldenEar SuperSub X is 58mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. PSB SubSeries BP8 is 31mm 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 BP8 is approximately 1089.0cm2 / 168.8inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2. The SubSeries BP8 requires 21% less surface area than the SuperSub X 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 BP8 weighs 19.10kg / 42lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub X weighs 18.18kg / 40lbs. This makes the SubSeries BP8 5% heavier than the SuperSub X.
Here is a comparison of how SubSeries BP8 and SuperSub X'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 BP8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SubSeries BP8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille
- 8-feet Power cord
- Owners Guide
- Specifications sheet
- Warranty Card
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperSub X?
Here are the items that come with the SuperSub X:
- Powered Subwoofer
- 10-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
 Base Surface Area |
1089cm2
vs
1381cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 10.5-inch x 9.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
324mm
vs
355mm
|
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.
GoldenEar SuperSub X needs about 27% more floor area. GoldenEar SuperSub X stands 58mm further into the room. PSB SubSeries BP8 is 31mm taller.
| General |
PSB SubSeries BP8 |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
| Brand |
PSB |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
1400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
12-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
1400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon Fibre |
Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
High Density Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
355.0mm (14") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Width |
330.0mm (13") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
330.0mm (13") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Weight |
19.10kg (42lbs) |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black, Satin White |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
3 Years |
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 | GoldenEar SuperSub X goes deeper - 12Hz 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 | GoldenEar SuperSub X has the bigger amplifier - 1400W against 500W RMS, about 4.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X moves more air: 2 x 8" against 8" is 2x the cone area, not the 1.41x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | 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; GoldenEar SuperSub X 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | PSB SubSeries BP8 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Phase control | A | PSB SubSeries BP8 has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Warranty | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X carries 3 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A PSB SubSeries BP8 B GoldenEar SuperSub X
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?
GoldenEar SuperSub X 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, GoldenEar SuperSub X 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. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, PSB SubSeries BP8 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.