Short answer: the Polk Audio PSW10. It ranks #17 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality at $249; the GoldenEar ForceField 3 ranks #18 and costs $650, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Polk Audio PSW10: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. Set against that: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $250 entry-level positioning.
One note: the GoldenEar ForceField 3 is no longer sold new, but at #18 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the Polk Audio PSW10. It ranks higher for sound quality than the GoldenEar ForceField 3 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| GoldenEar ForceField 3 | Polk Audio PSW10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $650 Discontinued | $249.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #17 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | passive radiator | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 91.9 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 98.3 dB | 96.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.4 dB | 104.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.9 dB | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.4 dB | 113.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.2 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) | 110.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 11.5"H x 11.4"W x 15.7"D (292.1 x 288.8 x 400.0 mm) | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 5/3 | 5/3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) driver | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | - | 113.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 112.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 110.7 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Polk Audio PSW10 compares with other leading options:
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS SB-1000
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs Polk Audio PSW10
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS 3000 Micro
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
GoldenEar ForceField 3: $650 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 110.2 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The passive radiator enclosure with 8” (203mm) driver is a compact way to add useful midbass support to a modest system.
Cons: Without a published 20 Hz result, deep-bass capability is less certain than the midbass figure. The 292.1H x 288.8W x 400.0D mm cabinet and 11.8 kg mass still need careful placement and calibration. Discontinued.
Full GoldenEar ForceField 3 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.2 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 11.5"H x 11.4"W x 15.7"D (292.1 x 288.8 x 400.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) driver |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 91.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 98.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.4 dB |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brent Butterworth; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs SVS 3000 Micro
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs Onkyo SKW-204
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt
- See all 9 comparisons
Polk Audio PSW10: $249.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. Deep bass capabilities are impressive with exceptional definition/control per CNet. Reduces distortion (uncommon at this price). Good hard clean bass performs well at higher volumes. Easy setup and affordable price consistently highlighted by thousands of buyers. Polk Power Port channels airflow cleanly for tighter bass without port noise. Best for average/small rooms and apartments.
Cons: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $249 entry-level positioning. Discontinued.
Full Polk Audio PSW10 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 96.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 104.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 112.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.7 dB |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by ErinsAudioCorner; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Klipsch HD Theater 600
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS 3000 Micro
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Onkyo SKW-204
- See all 12 comparisons