Subwoofer Reviews

GoldenEar ForceField 40 Subwoofer Review Test Bench

Test Bench

Peak Output Measurements

Peak output was measured using a UMIK-2 along with REW. Amp volume was turned to max and all measurements were taken with the UMIK-2 facing down 90 degrees at exactly 1 foot from the center of the woofer placed in the middle of my room to minimize the room effect on the measurements.

The volume level from my pre/pro was increased in 10 dB increments until distortion occurred while playing a 10-200 Hz sine wave. From there, the volume was dropped in 1 dB increments until distortion was no longer present.

COMMENTS
trynberg's picture
Submitted by trynberg on January 24, 2023 - 2:47pm

Not a true subwoofer IMO -- this is a very high priced woofer. I admit I fail to see who the audience is for such products. Rythmik Audio sells the L12 at half the price or the F12 for the same price, and both are better aesthetically and dramatically better in performance.

prerich45's picture
Submitted by prerich45 on January 25, 2023 - 9:16am

The Rythmik F12/L12 are both powerful and are true subwoofers. They're both basically black boxes as well (you can get black gloss). The GoldenEar has curved edges and is smaller that the Rythmik. Rythmik does offer black gloss ...but for HT use gloss speakers are playing out (if you use a projector). I'd take the Rythmik over the GoldenEar all day, but the GoldenEar looks....prettier.

trynberg's picture
Submitted by trynberg on January 27, 2023 - 1:48pm

Fair enough...especially since aesthetics are personal preference. IMO, the GoldenEar is not "prettier" enough to justify the cost/price penalty.

Dealzguy18's picture
Submitted by Dealzguy18 on January 28, 2023 - 6:26pm

This is just an overpriced woofer. There is no true sub in this fake sub. Golden Ear seems to be pulling a fast one on their customers with this subpar offering.

jeff-henning's picture
Submitted by jeff-henning on January 24, 2023 - 3:10pm

In my bedroom, I have KEF LSX's on stands on top of some cheap Boston Acoustics 10 inch subs. It sounds good for a bedroom system, but it's got nothing on my home theater.

If this sub cost about $450, sure. At $1,200, this is no bargain. You could buy two Rythmik L12 servo subs that will crush this box from every aspect.

This, of course is not the most egregious example of over priced small subs. A few competing companies have 10 inches that cost $3K or more. What a waste!

Physics determines how much air a sub can move and moving air is key to a sub's performance. A single 10" driver will always be limited in its low bass output. That's the point.

A half dozen 10" subs will work to get superb low bass, but not six of these subs. They don't go low enough for home theater.

This then tasks me to ask the question: why does anyone from this publication or Stereophile never review Rythmik's subs? That's all they make and they have about two dozen models to choose from.

David Vaughn's picture
Submitted by David Vaughn on January 24, 2023 - 4:25pm
Jeff, I have requested to review Rythmik subs but I'm not sure where we are in the process of getting one to audition. Stay tuned....
trynberg's picture
Submitted by trynberg on January 27, 2023 - 1:50pm

Excellent!

Dealzguy18's picture
Submitted by Dealzguy18 on January 28, 2023 - 6:28pm

This is just an overpriced woofer. There is no true sub in this fake sub. Golden Ear seems to be pulling a fast one on their customers with this subpar offering. I will happily go with a SVS or Rhythmik or even the Monoprice offering for such prices.

3ddavey13's picture
Submitted by 3ddavey13 on January 30, 2023 - 1:04pm

Funny you should mention the SVS SB3000. I paid $900 for the gloss black version because it had a blemish in the finish. Not a bad price for a 13" woofer with a 750-watt amp. The Forcefield 40 is the kind of sub you might mate with a soundbar if it wasn't so overpriced.

Jackson143's picture
Submitted by Jackson143 on April 5, 2023 - 9:01pm

The physics involved are simple to understand, with the active driver moving the air within the enclosure. This air pressure fluctuation causes the passive radiator to move, leading to the reduced motion of the main driver at the tuned frequency. This design has three advantages. First, it flattens the drywall repair near me frequency response.

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