Short answer: the Q Acoustics Q SUB120. It ranks #79 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $1,399; the ELAC Varro RS500 ranks #143, rated 3.6/5, at $1,399. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The case for the Q Acoustics Q SUB120: Sealed 12 inch subwoofer with a 300W continuous (600W peak) amplifier, up from the 220W of the Q Acoustics Q B12 it replaces. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Q Acoustics Q B12, which reached 115.2dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands but only 98.4dB at 20Hz.
The case for the ELAC Varro RS500: Sealed reference enclosure with a 10-inch aluminum sandwich cone and HEX surround powered by a 500W RMS BASH amplifier. Watch for: Sealed alignment requires significant power down deep, resulting in lower maximum burst SPL than ported counterparts at 20Hz.
Buy the Q Acoustics Q SUB120. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ELAC Varro RS500 at the same price, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Q Acoustics Q SUB120 3.5 to 4.1; ELAC Varro RS500 3.4 to 3.8). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics Q SUB120 | ELAC Varro RS500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.00 | $1,399.00 |
| Ranked | #79 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #143 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver | 10” (254mm) aluminum-sandwich cone with HEX surround |
| Amplifier Power | 300W RMS (600W peak) | 500W RMS / 1000W peak (BASH) |
| Frequency Response | 28-250Hz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 18Hz - 150Hz (in-room, manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 114dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 40-250Hz (adjustable low pass) | - |
| Dimensions | 17”H x 15.7”W x 15.7”D (432 x 400 x 400 mm) | 15”H x 14.2”W x 15.2”D (381 x 360 x 387 mm) |
| Weight | 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) |
| Cabinet Color | black, white | - |
| Country | United Kingdom | Germany |
| Warranty | - | 3/1 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Q Acoustics Q SUB120:
- ELAC Varro RS700 vs Q Acoustics Q SUB120
- KEF Kube 15 MIE vs Q Acoustics Q SUB120
- ELAC Varro RS500 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 12
- ELAC Varro RS500 vs REL Acoustics T/7x
- ELAC Varro RS500 vs Neumann KH 750 DSP
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM 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
Q Acoustics Q SUB120: $1,399.00 Estimated Amazon Q Acoustics eBay
Older model: the Q Acoustics Q B12 (ranked higher, rated 3.8/5). See every Q Acoustics Subwoofers generation.
Pros: Sealed 12 inch subwoofer with a 300W continuous (600W peak) amplifier, up from the 220W of the Q Acoustics Q B12 it replaces. Onboard DSP adds automatic input detection, dual phase and delay controls, and a 40 to 250Hz low pass crossover for easier room integration. Q Acoustics rates it at 114dB maximum output and 28Hz at the -6dB point.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Q Acoustics Q B12, which reached 115.2dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands but only 98.4dB at 20Hz. As a sealed design it gives up some deep bass output to similarly priced ported subwoofers. At 22.5 kg it is heavy for its size.
Full Q Acoustics Q SUB120 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 300W RMS (600W peak) |
| Cabinet Color | black, white |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Crossover Frequency | 40-250Hz (adjustable low pass) |
| Dimensions | 17”H x 15.7”W x 15.7”D (432 x 400 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 28-250Hz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 114dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ELAC Varro RS500: $1,399.00 Estimated Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the ELAC Varro RS700 (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5).
Pros: Sealed reference enclosure with a 10-inch aluminum sandwich cone and HEX surround powered by a 500W RMS BASH amplifier. Provides excellent transient accuracy, lower group delay, and AutoEQ room correction down to 18Hz.
Cons: Sealed alignment requires significant power down deep, resulting in lower maximum burst SPL than ported counterparts at 20Hz. Premium pricing over the PS series.
Full ELAC Varro RS500 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W RMS / 1000W peak (BASH) |
| Country | Germany |
| Dimensions | 15”H x 14.2”W x 15.2”D (381 x 360 x 387 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” (254mm) aluminum-sandwich cone with HEX surround |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 150Hz (in-room, manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3/1 |
| Weight | 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons