In this review, we will be comparing Q SUB120 and Q SUB80, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Q Acoustics. 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120 and Q Acoustics Q SUB80 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120and Q Acoustics Q SUB80 have a single woofer setup however the Q Acoustics Q SUB120's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Q Acoustics Q SUB80 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Q SUB120 has a frequency range of 28-250 Hz whereas Q SUB80 has a frequency range of 36-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Q SUB120 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q SUB80's min frequency of 36Hz.
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
Both Q Acoustics Q SUB120 and Q Acoustics Q SUB80 have Infinite Baffle type cabinets.
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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120's and Q Acoustics Q SUB80's external dimensions. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 has external dimensions of 400.0 x 400.0 x 432.0mm (15-3/4 x 15-3/4 x 17inch) whereas Q Acoustics Q SUB80 has external dimensions of 315.0 x 315.0 x 347.0mm (12-3/8 x 12-3/8 x 13-11/16inch).
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 85mm wider, 85mm taller and 85mm deeper than Q Acoustics Q SUB80.
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.
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 needs about 58% more floor or shelf area. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 85mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 85mm 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is approximately 1728.0cm2 / 267.8inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics Q SUB80 is approximately 1093.1cm2 / 169.4inch2. The Q SUB120 requires 58% more surface area than the Q SUB80 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB120 weighs 22.50kg / 49.5lbs and the Q Acoustics Q SUB80 weighs 15.00kg / 33lbs. This makes the Q SUB120 50% heavier than the Q SUB80.
Here is a comparison of how Q SUB120 and Q SUB80's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
315mm
vs
400mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1093cm2
vs
1728cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
799USD
|
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.
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 needs about 58% more floor area. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 stands 85mm further into the room. Q Acoustics Q SUB120 is 85mm taller.
| General |
Q Acoustics Q SUB120 |
Q Acoustics Q SUB80 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-250 Hz |
36-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
600-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
Paper composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
400.0mm (15.7") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
| Width |
400.0mm (15.7") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
| Depth |
432.0mm (17") |
347.0mm (13.7") |
| Weight |
22.50kg (49.5lbs) |
15.00kg (33lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Infinite Baffle |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Q Acoustics's Q Sub range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Q Acoustics Q SUB120 goes deeper - 28Hz against 36Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 36Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Q Acoustics Q SUB120 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Q Acoustics Q SUB120 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 | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Q Acoustics Q SUB80 is about 50% 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 | Q Acoustics Q SUB80 costs less - $599 against $799, about 25% less. |
A Q Acoustics Q SUB120 B Q Acoustics Q SUB80
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?
The usual trade-off: Q Acoustics Q SUB120 measures better, Q Acoustics Q SUB80 costs about 25% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Q Acoustics Q SUB80 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.