In this review, we will be comparing D3is In-Wall / On-Wall and SuperSub XXL, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Perlisten 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 Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL 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.Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL have a totally different setup: the Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall features x -inch drivers whereas the SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
D3is In-Wall / On-Wall has a frequency range of 20-290 Hz whereas SuperSub XXL has a frequency range of 10-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the SuperSub XXL can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the D3is In-Wall / On-Wall's min frequency of 20Hz.
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
Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall
Cabinet Type
The Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL 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 Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall's and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL's external dimensions. Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall has external dimensions of () whereas GoldenEar SuperSub XXL has external dimensions of 447.0 x 485.0 x 434.0mm (17-9/16inch x 19-1/16inch x 17-1/16inch).
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 485mm wider, 447mm taller and 434mm deeper than Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall.
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 Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall weighs 39.70kg / 87.3lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL weighs 37.27kg / 82lbs. This makes the D3is In-Wall / On-Wall 7% heavier than the SuperSub XXL.
Here is a comparison of how D3is In-Wall / On-Wall and SuperSub XXL's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall
 High Frequency Response |
290 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
0mm
vs
447mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
2104cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Passive Radiator |
two 13-inch x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
5995USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
20-290 Hz |
10-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
1600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
mm (0") |
447.0mm (17.6") |
| Width |
mm (0") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
mm (0") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
39.70kg (87.3lbs) |
37.27kg (82lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
A ported 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 XXL goes deeper - 10Hz against 20Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | depends | Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; GoldenEar SuperSub XXL 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. |
| Driver placement | depends | Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall fires front and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL fires side. 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. |
| Price | B | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL costs less - $2,499 against $5,995, about 58% less. |
A Perlisten D3is In-Wall / On-Wall B GoldenEar SuperSub XXL
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 XXL has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. 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 $2,499 each, two GoldenEar SuperSub XXL cost about $4,998 against $5,995 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.