In this review, we will be comparing SuperSat 50C and SuperSat 3C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by GoldenEar.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar SuperSat 50C and GoldenEar SuperSat 3C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar SuperSat 50C | GoldenEar SuperSat 3C |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-35k Hz | 80-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-200 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.18kg / 7lbs | 2.27kg / 5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4-13/16" x 26-13/16" x 2-9/16"
123.0 x 682.0 x 66.0mm | 4-13/16" x 12-5/8" x 2-7/8"
123.0 x 321.0 x 74.0mm |
|---|
SuperSat 50C and SuperSat 3C are members of GoldenEar's SuperSat series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
GoldenEar SuperSat Series
History
What size room are the GoldenEar SuperSat 50C and GoldenEar SuperSat 3C speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
GoldenEar SuperSat 50C |
GoldenEar SuperSat 3C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both SuperSat 50C and SuperSat 3C are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
GoldenEar SuperSat 50C |
GoldenEar SuperSat 3C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x -inch
|
2 x -inch
|
SuperSat 50C features a " Tweeter and 2 x " Woofer. On the other hand, the SuperSat 3C features a " Tweeter and 2 x " Woofer.
Frequency Response
SuperSat 50C has a frequency range of 60-35k Hz whereas SuperSat 3C has a frequency range of 80-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the SuperSat 50C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SuperSat 3C's min frequency of 80Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SuperSat 50C and SuperSat 3C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 92 dB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
SuperSat 50C and SuperSat 3C have the same power range of 20-200 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SuperSat 50C features 5-Way post type posts and SuperSat 3C has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 GoldenEar SuperSat 50C's and GoldenEar SuperSat 3C's external dimensions. GoldenEar SuperSat 50C has external dimensions of 123.0 x 682.0 x 66.0mm (4-13/16 x 26-13/16 x 2-9/16inch) whereas GoldenEar SuperSat 3C has external dimensions of 123.0 x 321.0 x 74.0mm (4-13/16 x 12-5/8 x 2-7/8inch).
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 GoldenEar SuperSat 50C is approximately 450.1cm2 / 69.8inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperSat 3C is approximately 237.5cm2 / 36.8inch2. The SuperSat 50C requires 90% more surface area than the SuperSat 3C which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The GoldenEar SuperSat 50C weighs 3.18kg / 7lbs and the GoldenEar SuperSat 3C weighs 2.27kg / 5lbs. This makes the SuperSat 50C 40% heavier than the SuperSat 3C.
Here is a comparison of how SuperSat 50C and SuperSat 3C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperSat 50C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SuperSat 50C:
- Satellite center speaker
- Grille
- 2 Foot brackets
- 2 Adjustable feet
- 2 Screws
- 4 Self-adhesive pads
- Owners Manual
- Wall-Mount Template
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperSat 3C?
Here are the items that come with the SuperSat 3C:
- Satellite center speaker
- Grille
- Adjustable foot
- Screw
- Washer
- 4 Self-adhesive pads
- Owners Manual
- Wall-Mount Template
 Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
237cm2
vs
450cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
329USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
GoldenEar SuperSat 50C |
GoldenEar SuperSat 3C |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
On-wall/on-shelf center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-35k Hz |
80-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
123.0mm (4.8") |
123.0mm (4.8") |
| Width |
682.0mm (26.9") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
66.0mm (2.6") |
74.0mm (2.9") |
| Weight |
3.18kg (7lbs) |
2.27kg (5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in GoldenEar's SuperSat series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
GoldenEar SuperSat 50C digs deeper - 60Hz against 80Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 92dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size |
depends |
GoldenEar SuperSat 3C is easier to place; GoldenEar SuperSat 50C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Passive Radiator vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price |
B |
GoldenEar SuperSat 3C is cheaper - $329 against $599, about 45% less; arguably a different class. |
A GoldenEar SuperSat 50C
B GoldenEar SuperSat 3C
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
GoldenEar SuperSat 50C is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 45% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - GoldenEar SuperSat 3C looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the GoldenEar SuperSat 50C appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper GoldenEar SuperSat 3C much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, GoldenEar SuperSat 50C has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, GoldenEar SuperSat 3C is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.