Rise of the Super Subwoofers - A Comparison Guide

There are a multitude of approaches to reproducing bass in a sound system, and there are nearly as many different subwoofers to serve each approach. The most popular approach seems to be a little subwoofer tucked in the corner of the room. Perhaps it was a leftover subwoofer from a home-theater-in-a-box, or perhaps it was complimentary with the speaker set in a package deal. Either way, it is the cutest little thing; it reminds me of the miniature dachshund our family had as a pet years ago. It had more “yap” than “woof”, but you could not deny it tried its best to make itself heard. In the same way, I admire those little subwoofers that try so very hard. They may produce more “blip” than “boom”, but darn it if they don’t give it all they've got. This article is not about those subwoofers. If you are of the opinion that the duty of a subwoofer does not go beyond shoring up the lowest notes on the gentle strumming of a jazz guitar, this article may not interest you. If you are of the opinion that the bass experience does not truly begin until your vision is blurring and your lungs are near rupturing, do read on. 

This article is a survey of six of the latest super subwoofers which will blow out your eardrums and knock down your walls. The subs on this list have all of the necessary hardware for earning our Extreme Bassaholic rating which we confirmed for both the RBH and XTZ subs in our testing.

The subwoofers discussed here cannot be inconspicuously tucked away in a corner, and, for most people, they are too expensive to be purchased on a whim. Even something as simple as moving them across the room takes planning due to their sheer size and weight. These are the compromises one must face when owning some of the most powerful commercial subwoofers for home audio that are currently available. What is gained in performance must be paid for, not only in dollar amount, but in extra physical mass. Let’s compare some of the specifications of these monster subwoofers in the table below:

RBH SX-1212P/R

SX-1212P/R Product Page | SX-1212P/R Review

 

In our roundup, the RBH SX-1212P/R sports the least amount of woofer area with two 12” woofers effectively equaling the area of a 17” woofer, but don’t let that fool you: in Audioholic’s testing from our review here, it was shown to perform spectacularly. In fact, of all subwoofers tested by Audioholics, the SX-1212P/R holds the record for passing CEA measurements at 20 Hz and below, nearly touching 100 dB at an ultra deep 12.5 Hz. That was in outdoor testing, and even higher output levels would be expected to be gained in-room. One notable feature of the SX-1212P/R’s performance is a slight peak just above 20 Hz, which is due to the large 6” down-firing port. Normally a flat response is desired for the full bandwidth of the subwoofer’s range, and that can easily be had on the SX-1212P/R with some slight EQing, but those looking for more oomph in effects sounds may be happier to keep its native response, which effectively runs the deep bass hot. 

RBH 12" Bass Driver

The SX-1212P/R manages this impressive performance with a relatively small footprint as well, with an approximately 18” x 21” area needed. Rarely does such extreme performance require such modest floor space. This is not to say it can be made to easily vanish in a room, as its 38” height will not permit that, but it is difficult to imagine such tremendous power could fit in a smaller package. Needless to say, something has to give to achieve the performance/size ratio of the SX-1212P/R, and that is price. At $5,495 it is the second most expensive subwoofer of our round up. For those who blanched at that price tag, there is a passive version of this subwoofer, the SX-1212N/R, which has a MSRP of $2,430 and represents considerable savings to those who can provide their own amplification.

XTZ Cinema SUB 3X12

SUB 3X12 Product Page | SUB 3X12 Review

The XTZ SUB 3X12 is basically a discounted stack of three of their SUB 1X12 subs which turns out to be a lot of subwoofer, both in performance and in physical mass. At 170 lbs. two or more people will be necessary just to move it around the room, and its near four foot height essentially renders it a fixed piece of furniture as much as a component of electronics. On the other hand, it has a nice satin black finish which may help its acceptance in a modern home decor. The surface area of its three 12” woofers add up to nearly the area of a 21” woofer. Each of its three drivers are individually powered by their own 500 watt amplifier, adding up to 1,500 watts of amplification for the whole unit.

Two stacked XTZ SUB 3X12 subwoofers

Audioholics tested the SUB 3X12, and, in short term bursts, it managed over 120 dB of output from 40 Hz and above without exceeding 15% THD, along with a very healthy amount of output at lower frequencies. Not bad when you consider that THX Reference levels for subwoofer frequencies are specified at 115 dB peaks, meaning just one SUB 3X12 should be able to achieve THX Reference level in a medium sized room- or come very close to it. If that is not enough for you, XTZ suggests that the SUB 3X12 can be easily stacked for a line array subwoofer system, however, you may want to check if your floor can handle that kind of weight before you move forward with that idea. The SUB 3X12 has an EQ setting for a sealed mode operation along with a port plug for sealing the slot port. Personally, I wouldn’t want to eliminate all the deep bass headroom by blocking the port, but that option is there for those who dislike the idea of Helmholtz Resonance. It is not an inexpensive subwoofer, but considering everything you get, it is very reasonably priced at $2,500, which makes it among the less expensive subwoofers in our round up.

Deep Sea Sound Mariana 24

Mariana 24 Product Page

The main task of a subwoofer is to displace air thereby creating waves of pressure resulting in sound as perceived by our ears; clearly, the Mariana 24 takes this assignment very seriously. The idea behind the Mariana 24 is simple: take the world’s most powerful subwoofer driver in production, give it one of the best plate amplifiers available, and place them in a tastefully veneered and manageably-sized cabinet. The Deep Sea Sound Mariana 24 has the largest subwoofer driver available in any home audio product. To equal the same surface area with 12” woofers, you would need four of them, and to equal the linear displacement capability of the Mariana 24 driver, those 12” woofers would need to be capable of 36 mm of clean excursion, an uncommonly huge amount of linear stroke. Even then, they would need a lot more power to achieve the same output levels as the Mariana 24, as the 24” driver gives the subwoofer an above average sensitivity and efficiency. This means that the Mariana 24’s 4,000 watt amplifier is used to greater effect than it would be if its current was fed to a group of smaller drivers.

Stereo Integrity HS24 subwoofer driver

Some might dismiss a subwoofer with such a large cone as being fine for movie sound effects but unlikely to have the finesse for high fidelity sound, and they would be deeply mistaken. The driver used in the Mariana 24 has been tested here to have extremely high sound quality, exhibiting very low distortion, with excellent group delay and swift decay recovery signifying a superb transient response. The high sound quality is not surprising when you consider just how little such a large cone has to move to create very loud sound levels. When the voice coil does not have to travel far from its rest position, it can track the swings in voltage (i.e. the signal it is trying to reproduce) much more finely than at large oscillations where other forces become greater inhibitions to linear excursion. On top of extremely low distortion, the Mariana 24 has an extraordinarily neutral frequency response as well, varying by 0.75 dB from 14 to 180 Hz, and if that isn’t accurate enough for you, there is a second selectable DSP setting which tightens that tolerance down to 0.5 dB from 17 to 180 Hz. The Mariana 24 has power and precision, and it even has a manageable if largish size, approximating a 28” cube, with a shallower and wider version  also available. However, you will want a friend or two to help you move its formidable 200 lbs. weight. The base price is $4,000; not a cheap subwoofer, but when you consider that it is likely to be a permanent cure for any upgrade fever, that could very well make it a bargain.

Rise of the Super Subwoofers - A Comparison Guide (cont.)

Funk Audio 21.0

Funk Audio 21.0 Product Page

In the realm of subwoofers, there are powerhouse subs for which performance is by far the most important priority, followed by affordability, with aesthetics far down on the list in the manufacturer’s agenda. These type of subs usually end up either in a dedicated home theater room where the subwoofer will not be seen or a ‘man-cave’ where coarse decor is not frowned on. On the opposite side of the spectrum, and very likely outnumbering the affordable-performance-above-all subwoofers, are subs whose primary mission is to visually compliment the system. These kind of subwoofers, typically manufactured by high-end speaker companies, are treated like an expensive and good-looking accessory to a speaker set for which performance is merely an afterthought. Funk Audio defies both those categories in their line of subwoofers,and they have grown a reputation where neither form nor function is allowed any compromise. Their latest addition to their subwoofer family is the Funk Audio 21.0: a 21” driver fitted in a curved, hand-made cabinet and backed by a 4,800 watt amplifier.

Funk Audio Bass Driver

The powerful motor of the 21” driver utilizes Neodymium magnets and a 4.5” voice coil, which, together with the peak power of the amplifier, can apply as much as 365 lbs. of force to the cone. This ultra-tight hold on the lustrous carbon fiber cone results in an enormous amount of cone control, so you can expect very low distortion and an excellent transient response. A fun fact for the speaker driver nerds among us: the TSAD21V2 driver used in the 21.0 has a colossal BL^2/Re of 422 newtons squared per watt, which, in terms of physical force, makes it the most powerful home audio driver I have ever heard of by far. However, a driver is powerless without an amplifier, and the amp that Funk Audio has supplied is a doozy. Dual 2,400 watts amplifiers supply the driver with 4,800 watts, with each watt counting for far more than normal thanks to the driver’s above average sensitivity (95 dB/1 watt). What is especially admirable about the driver and amplifier is that, as with the cabinet, they are also both hand-made at Funk Audio. The cabinet itself is a work of art, which is not surprising given Funk’s reputation for having some of the finest speaker and subwoofer cabinetry available anywhere. The 21.0’s cabinet is a curved, heavily-braced, Baltic Birch enclosure which can veneered with a variety of high-end finishes of your choice. Beauty is in no less supply than brawn, and if the Funk Audio 21.0 has an analogue in the automobile world, it would certainly be an exotic Italian sportscar. At $6,035 it is expensive, yes, but unlike an exotic sportscar, the Funk Audio 21.0 is still affordable for many of us, and very reasonably priced considering what you get is one of the all-around finest subwoofers available.

JTR Captivator S2

Captivator S2 Product Page

JTR Speakers is a company known for bringing the power and pragmatism of professional audio design sensibilities to heavy-duty home audio applications. Their speakers and subwoofers combine a high fidelity sound with concert level loudness capabilities, and the Captivator S2 is very much a testament this philosophy. The non-nonsense aesthetic correctly suggests that the bulk of the cost of the Captivator S2 goes to raw performance. Two high-excursion 18” drivers with large surrounds all but challenge the user to throw everything they have at it. The driver have to be considered the heart of any sealed subwoofer system, and the Captivator S2 is centered around an extremely powerful pair of drivers which act as insurance against ever running out of headroom at sane listening levels. The two 18” woofers have the cumulative surface area exceeding a single 24” woofer, and when you consider their 33 mm one way linear excursion, it adds up to a whole lot of potential air displacement. However, lots of energy must be spent to in order to move that quantity of air, and a monster 4,000 watt amplifier is what is chosen to make those woofers move. The design of the Captivator S2 suggests high sound quality along with massive output. So much cone area under control of so much motor mass should make for a very tight response.

Captivator S2 driver

The Captivator S2 was recently given a redesign which has boosted efficiency, lowered extension, and lowered distortion by using improved drivers and a larger cabinet. The cabinet is an achievement in itself. It is a heavily-braced enclosure made from 25 mm, void-free Baltic Birch, a wood preferred by higher end speaker manufacturers because of the greater stiffness and lighter weight compared to MDF. The rectangular shape of the cabinet makes for more versatile placement options; it can be laid on its side to fit under displays or stood up vertically to fit in places where a smaller footprint is necessary. The appearance of the design of the Captivator S2 is not as elegant as some high end subwoofers, but it does have a clean simplicity which would fit into many modern decors without any visual discord. The edges are rounded, and the base finish is a smooth matte black. A magnetic grill is provided for those who can’t tolerate the sight of woofers, which also makes for a clean look sans grill due to no peg holes on the front baffle. Custom finishes can also be ordered for a few hundred dollars extra. At $3,599 not including shipping, the JTR Captivator S2 is not a cheap subwoofer, but considering the amount of subwoofer you get for the price, it looks to be a great value. 

Reaction Audio Gamma 21

Gamma 21 Product Page

Although Reaction Audio is a relatively recent company, began in early 2014, it has already made a big splash in the world of manufacture direct speakers and subwoofers due to the high performance their products provide for their very affordable prices. Their newest offering is the Gamma 21, the least expensive ($1,799) subwoofer in our roundup by a considerable margin, but it is no weakling. The Gamma 21 sports an impressive 21” driver in a heavy-duty sealed cabinet powered by a 2,400 watt amplifier. The driver has to be considered the center-piece of the Gamma 21 with a 25 lbs. motor structure capable of 4” peak-to-peak excursion. That is a lot of air displacement, especially when you consider the size and price of the unit. The development of the driver itself took over a year, and it has the advantages of being able to play well in a smaller enclosure along with the extra sensitivity that comes with its powerful magnet and large cone diameter. The high thermal power handling of the driver's 8 layer voice coil allows the Gamma 21's beefy 2,400 watt amp to drive it to thunderous output levels.  However, like other subs in the comparison with high output amplifiers, we recommend a dedicated circuit line to get the most out of this amp.

Gamma 21 Driver

The appearance of the Gamma 21 is simple and clean: a smooth satin black finish, rounded edges, and a recessed baffle for the driver with no peg holes thanks to the magnetic grill. It is not a flashy item, but it is simple and neat without being drab, and custom finishes are available at an extra cost. The cabinet itself is a very sturdy construction; it is built from one inch thick MDF with extensive internal bracing. It is built like a tank, and at 140 lbs shipped, you will likely need a buddy to help put it into place. With such a beefy motor, shorting rings, and a large cone, the Gamma 21 is certain to rank high not only in sound quantity but also sound quality, so it should be as welcome in high-fidelity stereo systems every bit as much as surround-sound home theater systems. There is no question it costs more than what most people end up spending on a subwoofer, but in our roundup it is comparatively affordable, complete with a five year warranty and free shipping. Furthermore, if for any reason you decide it is not the subwoofer for you, Reaction Audio will pay for the return shipping within 45 days after you receive it. We are betting that, given the extraordinarily high value of what is being offered, returns of the Gamma 21 will be a very rare occurrence.

Conclusion

Over-the-top subwoofers such as the ones discussed in this article are not a new thing for home audio; however, they are becoming more common as audio companies attempt to distinguish themselves with a flagship product. It was only a few years ago that subwoofers with a single 18” driver were considered the extreme fringe of higher performance design, but now, in light of what we have just seen, that can only be considered a starting point. We covered six of the latest super subwoofers, but these aren’t the only choices as far as commercially available extreme subwoofers go. If the pace continues of the launching of new monster subwoofers, it may not be long before we do another roundup of these titans.