In this review, we will be comparing Classic 99 and SuperSub XXL, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from REL 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 REL Classic 99 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.REL Classic 99 and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL have a totally different setup: the REL Classic 99 features 1 x 12-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub XXL features 2 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Classic 99 has a frequency range of 24-120 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 Classic 99'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
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 REL Classic 99's and GoldenEar SuperSub XXL's external dimensions. REL Classic 99 has external dimensions of 536.6 x 400.1 x 396.9mm () 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).
REL Classic 99 is 84.9mm narrower and 37.1mm less deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub XXL but it is also 89.6mm 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 REL Classic 99 is approximately 1588.0cm2 / 246.1inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL is approximately 2104.9cm2 / 326.3inch2. The Classic 99 requires 25% less surface area than the SuperSub XXL 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 REL Classic 99 weighs 22.36kg / 49.2lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL weighs 37.27kg / 82lbs. This makes the SuperSub XXL 67% heavier than the Classic 99.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 99 and SuperSub XXL's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
1588cm2
vs
2104cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2099USD
vs
2499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 13-inch x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
447mm
vs
536mm
|
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 XXL needs about 33% more floor area. GoldenEar SuperSub XXL stands 37mm further into the room. REL Classic 99 is 90mm taller.
| General |
REL Classic 99 |
GoldenEar SuperSub XXL |
| Brand |
REL |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
24-120 Hz |
10-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
450-watt RMS |
1600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
536.6mm (21.1") |
447.0mm (17.6") |
| Width |
400.1mm (15.8") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
396.9mm (15.6") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
22.36kg (49.2lbs) |
37.27kg (82lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
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 SuperSub XXL goes deeper - 10Hz 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 SuperSub XXL has the bigger amplifier - 1600W against 450W RMS, about 5.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | GoldenEar SuperSub XXL moves more air: 2 x 12" against 12" 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 | REL Classic 99 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; 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. |
| Price | A | REL Classic 99 costs less - $2,099 against $2,499, about 16% less. |
A REL Classic 99 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 leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. REL Classic 99 is the one to take if it does not. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, GoldenEar SuperSub XXL will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, REL Classic 99 is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.