In this review, we will be comparing R18s 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 R18s 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 R18s and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL have a totally different setup: the Perlisten R18s features x -inch drivers whereas the SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
R18s has a frequency range of 20-288 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 R18s'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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The Perlisten R18s 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 R18s's and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL's external dimensions. Perlisten R18s has external dimensions of 618.0 x 570.0 x 575.0mm () 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).
Perlisten R18s is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 85mm wider, 171mm taller and 141mm deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub XXL.
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 56% more floor or shelf area. Perlisten R18s is 141mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Perlisten R18s is 171mm 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 Perlisten R18s is approximately 3277.5cm2 / 508.0inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is approximately 2104.9cm2 / 326.3inch2. The R18s requires 56% more surface area than the SuperSub XXL 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 Perlisten R18s weighs 57.30kg / 126.1lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL weighs 37.27kg / 82lbs. This makes the R18s 54% heavier than the SuperSub XXL.
Here is a comparison of how R18s and SuperSub XXL's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
288 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 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 |
 Height |
447mm
vs
618mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2104cm2
vs
3277cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
5495USD
|
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 56% more floor area. Perlisten R18s stands 141mm further into the room. Perlisten R18s is 171mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten R18s |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-288 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 |
618.0mm (24.3") |
447.0mm (17.6") |
| Width |
570.0mm (22.4") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
575.0mm (22.6") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
57.30kg (126.1lbs) |
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 R18s 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 R18s 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is about 54% 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 SuperSub XXL costs less - $2,499 against $5,495, about 55% less. |
A Perlisten R18s 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 $5,495 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - GoldenEar SuperSub XXL 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.