The NAD C320BEE is an amazing entry-level integrated amplifier that has garnered plenty of accolades throughout the years due to its high performance and affordable price point. Even after so many years have passed, the C320BEE amps are still been used and praised by many. The sound quality of the NAD C320BEE is really good in this price range especially if you match it with the right speakers but this amp does have its own limitations though.
As an entry-level amplifier, the power output is considered good as well, and at 50 Watts per channel into 8/4 Ohms you can drive mostly bookshelf speakers. Still, we all know how limited bookshelf speakers are when it comes to bass performance. Sure we can invest in high-end bookshelf speakers with better bass reproduction but it will cost way more than the amplifier itself and the NAD C320BEE may not be able to fully drive such loudspeakers. Not to mention, subterranean low frequencies delivery will still be lacking.
To resolve this, we can connect an active subwoofer to the NAD C320BEE integrated amp and the sub will help to supplement the bass performance. There are many subwoofer choices out there, to find the right one we will need to learn more about the sonic prowess and characteristics of the C320BEE amp. Finding out what are your subwoofer requirements will help a lot too. We will also be planning to share with you a list of the best subwoofers which you can choose and pair with your NAD C320BEE.
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Sonic Characteristics of NAD C320BEE
It may be a two decades old integrated amplifier but the aesthetic design of the NAD C320BEE still holds up. You should be able to match this classic amplifier with modern speakers without it being too out of place. The clean look of the C320BEE should sit well in most home interiors too. The frequency response is 20Hz-20kHz which is fine. There is a headphone output for listeners who want an occasional private music listening session from time to time. Another notable feature will be the preamp output where you can connect a power amplifier to drive larger loudspeakers which can be a good idea. It will cost quite a lot to have this setup and you might not even be able to deliver the same level of very deep bass performance that a high-quality subwoofer can muster.
The NAD C320BEE is a transparent amp that produces plenty of details with clarity. Music presentations sounded clean and clear, the vocal reproductions are natural-sounding and have nice timbre which is surprisingly good for a budget amplifier. The instruments are accurately rendered as well but the details do get congested a little during the busy music passages. NAD C320BEE has a pleasing sound quality and makes it easy to listen to. There is warmth in the overall sound reproduction and the bass performance is solid with a slight emphasis to compensate for the power limitation. A sealed subwoofer will be an ideal choice to partner with the NAD C320BEE so that the accuracy and controlled bass performance will help improve the overall sonic performance.
NAD C320BEE Specifications
- Power Outputs: 50 Watts per channel into 8/4 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Inputs: 5 Line inputs, 2 Tape inputs
- Outputs: Preamp output, Headphone output, 2 Tape outputs
- Dimensions: 435mm x 100mm x 290mm | 17.1″ x 3.9″ x 11.4″
- Weight: 6.5kg (14.3lbs)
Subwoofer Requirements
You can start with working on a budget that you are comfortable enough to use and invest in a subwoofer. You can also use this opportunity to find out what other HiFi components you may need. The budget you have allocated will affect the subwoofer choices and the available space in your room will be a factor as well. For instance, if you have limited space then you probably should go for a smaller subwoofer. The size of the listening room will also be a factor. Usually, for medium to large-sized rooms, you should go for bigger and more powerful subwoofers as they are proficient in filling the space with sonic energy.
As mentioned earlier, the NAD C320BEE will work well with a sealed subwoofer even if you listen to bass-heavy music like EDM, dubstep, trance, movie soundtracks, etc. Unless you are a bass fanatic then a ported subwoofer will be an ideal choice for you as generally, it has higher bass outputs and max SPL but is not as accurate and agile as a sealed subwoofer. For nearfield music listening, you can use a compact subwoofer except when you are playing at really loud volumes as you will need a sub that should at least have enough power to accommodate your usage. For listeners who listen to music that produces subterranean bass frequencies, we will suggest getting subwoofers capable of delivering low-ends of down to 20Hz efficiently and prominently.
These are some of the main subwoofer requirements and you might want to add in a few more of your own. There are other requirements that could be set by your spouse/loved ones living together with you or you may prefer to match the subwoofer with your speakers instead. The longer the subwoofer requirement checklist is the better, as this will help give you a clearer picture of what you want from a powered sub. This is why you might want to take your time with this. When you are ready, you can check out the list of the best subwoofers which we have prepared for you below.
Best Subwoofers to pair with NAD C320BEE
The Rythmik Audio L12 is one of the best subwoofers to match with the NAD C320BEE. It is made by a reputable company specializing in designing and building audiophile quality subwoofers at reasonable prices. This 12″ sealed subwoofer uses Direct Servo technology which enables the L12 to produce high-quality bass with agility and accuracy. The speed of the overall bass performance is amazing too. The Rythmik Audio L12 has 300 Watts RMS power and can dig down to 18Hz bass extension which is really impressive for an entry-level subwoofer and will match well with NAD C320BEE integrated amp.
SVS SB-1000 Pro is an excellent sealed subwoofer made by another reputable subwoofer specialist. SVS is a well-regarded brand where it has impressed both audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts ever since its first debut. The SVS SB-1000 Pro is an upgraded version of its predecessor and will be an ideal choice for the NAD C320BEE amplifier. It is very powerful with up to 820 Watts of Peak power and reaches down to 20Hz bass extension with prominence. SVS SB-1000 Pro has been considered as one of the best subwoofers in its price range and is certainly worthy of your time to check it out.
More Info at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro Sealed Subwoofer
For listeners with large listening rooms and who want a subwoofer that can fill the room with immense sonic energy without compromising the bass quality then the HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 will be an ideal choice to go for. HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 is an extremely powerful 15″ sealed subwoofer with continuous power of 600 Watts and goes up to a whopping 2000 Watts peak (short-term). The frequency response is 20Hz-200Hz and is sanely priced as well which makes it a really suitable match to the NAD C320BEE integrated amplifier. We highly suggest you give this active sub an audition.
When it comes to heart-pounding bass output, the SVS PB-2000 Pro is the right sub for the job. It is a very high-powered 12″ ported subwoofer with 550 Watts RMS power and goes all the way up to 1500+ Watts of Peak power. The PB-2000 Pro can dig really deep into the bass extension and can deliver bass frequencies of down to 16Hz, filling and shaking your listening room with incredible sonic energy. SVS PB-2000 Pro is one of the best ported subwoofers to pair with the NAD C320BEE amplifier and will be satisfying enough for most bass fanatics. Furthermore, the powerful bass reproduction has accuracy and detail too.
More Info at Amazon – SVS PB-2000 Pro Ported Subwoofer
If you prefer ported subwoofers that use servo technology and do not break the bank, you might want to take a look at the Rythmik Audio LV12F. It is the entry-level ported subwoofer of the well-regarded Rythmik Audio and will be an exemplary subwoofer choice for your NAD C320BEE. The Rythmik Audio LV12F is a 12″ ported subwoofer with 300 Watts RMS power and can deliver subterranean bass frequencies of down to 19Hz. The high bass output has accuracy and articulation, providing its users with powerful and well-controlled overall bass performance. Rythmik Audio LV12F bass performance will work well with the NAD C320BEE integrated amplifier.
For listeners who have a very tight budget, you might want to take a look at Klipsch R-12SW. This is a very highly rated budget ported subwoofer which has garnered loads of rave reviews over the years. The R-12SW is a 12″ ported sub with 400 Watts of dynamic power and matches well with the NAD C320BEE integrated amplifier. With this number of positive ratings and at such an affordable price, the Klipsch R-12SW is definitely worth the time and effort to hear them out. The Polk Audio PSW10 will be another budget subwoofer with incredibly high ratings but it has only up to 100 Watts of dynamic power though.
More Information at Amazon – Klipsch R-12SW Subwoofer
More Information at Amazon – Polk Audio PSW10 10″ Powered Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
These subwoofers listed here are certainly worth the time to at least take a look at them and will be even better if you could audition them. You can just pick one or more out from the subwoofer list based on your budget and/or requirements. From there, arrange an audition with the shortlisted subwoofers and determine the bass quality and performance with your own ears. We will suggest bringing along your favorite music which is bass-heavy and complex for the subwoofer auditions.
