In this review, we will be comparing Subsonic and A120P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wilson Audio and JBL. 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic and JBL Stage A120P first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Wilson Audio Subsonic and JBL Stage A120P compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Wilson Audio Subsonic and JBL Stage A120P have a totally different setup: the Wilson Audio Subsonic features 3 x 12-inch drivers whereas the A120P features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Subsonic has a frequency range of 10-150 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the Subsonic can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120P's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 Wilson Audio Subsonic 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 JBL Stage A120P have Bass reflex type enclosure.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Wilson Audio Subsonic's and JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. Wilson Audio Subsonic has external dimensions of 1653.0 x 459.0 x 691.0mm ( 65-1/16 x 18-1/16 x 27-3/16inch) whereas JBL Stage A120P has external dimensions of 415.0 x 393.0 x 475.0mm ( 16-5/16 x 15-7/16 x 18-11/16inch) .
Wilson Audio Subsonic is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 66mm wider, 1238mm taller and 216mm deeper than JBL Stage A120P.
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 Wilson Audio Subsonic is approximately 3171.7cm2 / 491.6inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The Subsonic requires 70% more surface area than the A120P 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic weighs 229.00kg / 503.8lbs and the JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the Subsonic 1,126% heavier than the A120P.
Here is a comparison of how Subsonic and A120P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Number of Woofers |
3
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
415mm
vs
1653mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1866cm2
vs
3171cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
47250USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wilson Audio Subsonic |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
Wilson Audio |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
n/a |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
10-150 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
3 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper pulp |
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1653.0mm (65.1") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
459.0mm (18.1") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
691.0mm (27.2") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
229.00kg (503.8lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
1 Year |