Short answer: the Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II. It ranks #2 of 42 subwoofers at $499; the GoldenEar ForceField 3 ranks #5 and costs $650, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II gets right: 12-inch sealed driver reaches 111.1dB CEA-2010-A average, second only to the pricier SVS SB-1000 PRO among compact subwoofers. Set against that: Small sealed driver limits extension below 20 Hz and 9.5 kg compact size.
One note: the GoldenEar ForceField 3 is discontinued, but it still ranks #5 of 42 subwoofers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the GoldenEar ForceField 3 if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| GoldenEar ForceField 3 | Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $650 Discontinued | $499 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 42 in Small Powered Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #2 of 42 in Small Powered Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | passive radiator | sealed |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 91.9 dB | 100.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 98.3 dB | 105.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.4 dB | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.9 dB | 111.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.4 dB | 112.0 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.2 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) | 111.1 dB |
| Dimensions | 11.5"H x 11.37"W x 15.75"D (292.1 x 288.8 x 400.0 mm) | 14.75"H x 14.25"W x 16.37"D (374.6 x 361.9 x 415.8 mm) |
| Weight | 26 lbs / 11.8 kg | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg |
| Warranty | 5/3 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 95.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | - | 111.0 dB |
The Two Speakers In Full
GoldenEar ForceField 3: $650 Discontinued
Cons: Discontinued.
| 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 11.37"W x 15.75"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 |
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II: $499 Discontinued
Pros: 12-inch sealed driver reaches 111.1dB CEA-2010-A average, second only to the pricier SVS SB-1000 PRO among compact subwoofers. Sealed cabinet suits smaller rooms without a large footprint.
Cons: Small sealed driver limits extension below 20 Hz and 9.5 kg compact size. Discontinued.
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.1 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.75"H x 14.25"W x 16.37"D (374.6 x 361.9 x 415.8 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 95.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 100.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 105.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 111.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 111.0 dB |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs / 9.5 kg |
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Polk Audio PSW10
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs SVS SB-1000
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs SVS 3000 Micro
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Paradigm Defiance V12
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.