In this review, we will be comparing MilleniaSub and ForceField 40, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub and GoldenEar ForceField 40 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 Paradigm MilleniaSuband GoldenEar ForceField 40 have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm MilleniaSub's woofer is -inch whereas the GoldenEar ForceField 40 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
MilleniaSub has a frequency range of 24-150 Hz whereas ForceField 40 has a frequency range of 14-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 14Hz, the ForceField 40 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MilleniaSub's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 ForceField 40 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub's and GoldenEar ForceField 40's external dimensions. Paradigm MilleniaSub has external dimensions of 386.0 x 180.0 x 467.0mm (15-3/16inch x 7-1/16inch x 18-3/8inch) whereas GoldenEar ForceField 40 has external dimensions of 378.0 x 339.0 x 485.0mm (14-7/8inch x 13-5/16inch x 19-1/16inch).
Paradigm MilleniaSub is 159mm narrower and 18mm less deeper than GoldenEar ForceField 40 but it is also 8mm 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 ForceField 40 needs about 96% more floor or shelf area. GoldenEar ForceField 40 is 18mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 Paradigm MilleniaSub is approximately 840.6cm2 / 130.3inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar ForceField 40 is approximately 1644.2cm2 / 254.9inch2. The MilleniaSub requires 49% less surface area than the ForceField 40 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs and the GoldenEar ForceField 40 weighs 18.41kg / 40.5lbs. This makes the ForceField 40 69% heavier than the MilleniaSub.
Here is a comparison of how MilleniaSub and ForceField 40's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm MilleniaSub?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of MilleniaSub:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Stand
- 4 Feet
- 4 Locking collars
- 4 Felt-pads
- 2 Screws
- 4 Rubber inserts
- Owners Manual
- Important Operating Info
What's in the Box of GoldenEar ForceField 40?
Here are the items that come with the ForceField 40:
- Powered subwoofer
- 10-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Owners Manual
 Base Surface Area |
840cm2
vs
1644cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
14 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
378mm
vs
386mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
1699USD
|
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.
GoldenEar ForceField 40 needs about 96% more floor area. GoldenEar ForceField 40 stands 18mm further into the room.
| General |
Paradigm MilleniaSub |
GoldenEar ForceField 40 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-150 Hz |
14-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Reinforced Polymer |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front and back |
front and bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
386.0mm (15.2") |
378.0mm (14.9") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Depth |
467.0mm (18.4") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
18.41kg (40.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
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 ForceField 40 goes deeper - 14Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | GoldenEar ForceField 40 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 300W RMS, about 5.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Enclosure | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; GoldenEar ForceField 40 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. |
| Phase control | A | Paradigm MilleniaSub has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Driver placement | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub fires front/rear and GoldenEar ForceField 40 fires front/down. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 | GoldenEar ForceField 40 costs less - $1,199 against $1,699, about 29% less. |
A Paradigm MilleniaSub B GoldenEar ForceField 40
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 ForceField 40 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 ForceField 40 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Paradigm MilleniaSub is usually the easier one to make sound right. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Paradigm MilleniaSub 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.