In this review, we will be comparing AMBEO Sub and ProSub 800, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Sennheiser and Definitive Technology. 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub and Definitive ProSub 800 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.Sennheiser AMBEO Suband Definitive ProSub 800 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
AMBEO Sub has a frequency range of 27-80 Hz whereas ProSub 800 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the ProSub 800 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the AMBEO Sub's min frequency of 27Hz.
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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub's and Definitive ProSub 800's external dimensions. Sennheiser AMBEO Sub has external dimensions of 366.7 x 269.9 x 269.9mm () whereas Definitive ProSub 800 has external dimensions of 328.0 x 262.0 x 423.0mm (12-7/8 x 10-5/16 x 16-5/8inch).
Definitive ProSub 800 is 7.9mm narrower and 38.7mm shorter than Sennheiser AMBEO Sub but it is also 153.1mm deeper.
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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is approximately 728.5cm2 / 112.9inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 800 is approximately 1108.3cm2 / 171.8inch2. The AMBEO Sub requires 34% less surface area than the ProSub 800 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub weighs 8.16kg / 18lbs and the Definitive ProSub 800 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the ProSub 800 45% heavier than the AMBEO Sub.
Here is a comparison of how AMBEO Sub and ProSub 800's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
728cm2
vs
1108cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
328mm
vs
366mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
500USD
|
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.
Definitive ProSub 800 needs about 52% more floor area. Definitive ProSub 800 stands 153mm further into the room. Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is 39mm taller.
| General |
Sennheiser AMBEO Sub |
Definitive Technology ProSub 800 |
| Brand |
Sennheiser |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
27-80 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
366.7mm (14.4") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Width |
269.9mm (10.6") |
262.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
269.9mm (10.6") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Weight |
8.16kg (18lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 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 | Definitive ProSub 800 goes deeper - 20Hz against 27Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (350W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Definitive ProSub 800 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is about 27% 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. |
| Warranty | B | Definitive ProSub 800 carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Definitive ProSub 800 costs less - $399 against $500, about 20% less. |
A Sennheiser AMBEO Sub B Definitive ProSub 800
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?
Definitive ProSub 800 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Sennheiser AMBEO Sub if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Definitive ProSub 800 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Sennheiser AMBEO Sub 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.