In this review, we will be comparing Nova 8 and SuperSub X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wharfedale 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 Wharfedale Nova 8 and GoldenEar SuperSub X 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.Wharfedale Nova 8 and GoldenEar SuperSub X have a totally different setup: the Wharfedale Nova 8 features 1 x 8-inch drivers whereas the SuperSub X features 2 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Nova 8 has a frequency range of 33 Hz (-6dB) whereas SuperSub X has a frequency range of 12-250 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 12Hz, the SuperSub X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Nova 8's min frequency of 33Hz.
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 Wharfedale Nova 8 and GoldenEar SuperSub X have Passive Radiator type cabinets. 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 Wharfedale Nova 8's and GoldenEar SuperSub X's external dimensions. Wharfedale Nova 8 has external dimensions of 348.0 x 320.0 x 361.0mm (13.7inch x 12.6inch x 14.21inch) whereas GoldenEar SuperSub X has external dimensions of 324.0 x 356.0 x 388.0mm (12-3/4inch x 14inch x 15-1/4inch).
Wharfedale Nova 8 is 36mm narrower and 27mm less deeper than GoldenEar SuperSub X but it is also 24mm taller.
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.
GoldenEar SuperSub X needs about 20% more floor or shelf area. GoldenEar SuperSub X is 27mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale Nova 8 is 24mm 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 Wharfedale Nova 8 is approximately 1155.2cm2 / 179.1inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSub X is approximately 1381.3cm2 / 214.1inch2. The Nova 8 requires 16% less surface area than the SuperSub X 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 Wharfedale Nova 8 weighs 16.30kg / 35.9lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSub X weighs 18.18kg / 40lbs. This makes the SuperSub X 12% heavier than the Nova 8.
Here is a comparison of how Nova 8 and SuperSub X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Nova 8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Nova 8:
- Subwoofer
- Power cord
- Manual
- Rubber feet pads
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperSub X?
Here are the items that come with the SuperSub X:
- Powered Subwoofer
- 10-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
 Base Surface Area |
1155cm2
vs
1381cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
12 Hz
vs
33 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
324mm
vs
348mm
|
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 X needs about 20% more floor area. GoldenEar SuperSub X stands 27mm further into the room. Wharfedale Nova 8 is 24mm taller.
| General |
Wharfedale Nova 8 |
GoldenEar SuperSub X |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
1400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
33 Hz (-6dB) |
12-250 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
1400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
348.0mm (13.7") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
361.0mm (14.2") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Weight |
16.30kg (35.9lbs) |
18.18kg (40lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
Matte Black |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
USB port for firmware updates |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X goes deeper - 12Hz against 33Hz. 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 X has the bigger amplifier - 1400W against 200W RMS, about 8.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | GoldenEar SuperSub X moves more air: 2 x 8" against 8" 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 | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Wharfedale Nova 8 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Phase control | A | Wharfedale Nova 8 has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Driver placement | depends | Wharfedale Nova 8 fires front and GoldenEar SuperSub X 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 | A | Wharfedale Nova 8 costs less - $1,099 against $1,499, about 27% less. |
A Wharfedale Nova 8 B GoldenEar SuperSub X
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 X is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 36% more. Wharfedale Nova 8 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Wharfedale Nova 8 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.