In this review, we will be comparing NS-SW050 and CR8SBT, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Yamaha and Mackie. 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 Yamaha NS-SW050 and Mackie CR8SBT 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.Yamaha NS-SW050and Mackie CR8SBT have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
NS-SW050 has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz whereas CR8SBT has a frequency range of 37-400 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the NS-SW050 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CR8SBT's min frequency of 37Hz.
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 Yamaha NS-SW050's and Mackie CR8SBT's external dimensions. Yamaha NS-SW050 has external dimensions of 292.1 x 292.1 x 339.7mm (11.5 x 11.5 x 13.375inch) whereas Mackie CR8SBT has external dimensions of 368.3 x 322.3 x 457.2mm ().
Mackie CR8SBT is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 30.2mm wider, 76.2mm taller and 117.5mm deeper than Yamaha NS-SW050.
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.
Mackie CR8SBT needs about 49% more floor or shelf area. Mackie CR8SBT is 118mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Mackie CR8SBT is 76mm 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 Yamaha NS-SW050 is approximately 992.3cm2 / 153.8inch2 and base area of the Mackie CR8SBT is approximately 1473.6cm2 / 228.4inch2. The NS-SW050 requires 33% less surface area than the CR8SBT 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 Yamaha NS-SW050 weighs 8.48kg / 18.7lbs and the Mackie CR8SBT weighs 11.52kg / 25.3lbs. This makes the CR8SBT 36% heavier than the NS-SW050.
Here is a comparison of how NS-SW050 and CR8SBT's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
37 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
292mm
vs
368mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
992cm2
vs
1473cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 High Frequency Response |
400 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
200USD
vs
220USD
|
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.
Mackie CR8SBT needs about 49% more floor area. Mackie CR8SBT stands 118mm further into the room. Mackie CR8SBT is 76mm taller.
| General |
Yamaha NS-SW050 |
Mackie CR8SBT |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
Mackie |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
37-400 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
292.1mm (11.5") |
368.3mm (14.5") |
| Width |
292.1mm (11.5") |
322.3mm (12.7") |
| Depth |
339.7mm (13.4") |
457.2mm (18") |
| Weight |
8.48kg (18.7lbs) |
11.52kg (25.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
|
1 Year |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Yamaha NS-SW050 goes deeper - 28Hz against 37Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 37Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Mackie CR8SBT has the bigger amplifier - 100W against 50W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Yamaha NS-SW050 is about 47% 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 | Mackie CR8SBT costs less - $200 against $220, about 9% less. |
A Yamaha NS-SW050 B Mackie CR8SBT
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Yamaha NS-SW050 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.