In this review, we will be comparing SUB10 and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Buchardt and KEF. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Buchardt SUB10 and KEF KUBE 10b first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Buchardt SUB10and KEF KUBE 10b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
SUB10 has a frequency range of 20-300 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SUB10 can go slightly deeper then the KUBE 10b's min frequency of 24Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Buchardt SUB10 and KEF KUBE 10b have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Buchardt SUB10's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. Buchardt SUB10 has external dimensions of 490 x 320 x 160 mm (19.3 x 12.6 x 6.3 inch) whereas KEF KUBE 10b has external dimensions of 372.0 x 356.0 x 397.0mm (14-5/8 x 14 x 15-5/8inch).
Buchardt SUB10 is 36mm narrower and 237mm less deeper than KEF KUBE 10b but it is also 118mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Buchardt SUB10 is approximately 512.0cm2 / 79.4inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The SUB10 requires 64% less surface area than the KUBE 10b which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Buchardt SUB10 weighs 14.00kg / 30.8lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 25% heavier than the SUB10.
Here is a comparison of how SUB10 and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
300 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Yes
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
512cm2
vs
1413cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Height |
372mm
vs
490mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
1300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
KEF KUBE 10b needs about 176% more floor area. KEF KUBE 10b stands 237mm further into the room. Buchardt SUB10 is 118mm taller.
| General |
Buchardt SUB10 |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
Buchardt |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-300 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
490.0mm (19.3") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
160.0mm (6.3") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
14.00kg (30.8lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black,White |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years on woofer and cabinet, 2 years on amp module |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Different price classes - Buchardt SUB10 costs roughly 1.7x what KEF KUBE 10b does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Buchardt SUB10 goes deeper - 20Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Buchardt SUB10 has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 300W RMS, about 1.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (room correction and onboard DSP). |
| Cabinet size | depends | Buchardt SUB10 is about 52% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | A | Buchardt SUB10 carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | KEF KUBE 10b costs less - $750 against $1,300, about 42% less. |
A Buchardt SUB10 B KEF KUBE 10b
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Buchardt SUB10 measures better, KEF KUBE 10b costs about 42% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $750 each, two KEF KUBE 10b cost about $1,500 against $1,300 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Buchardt SUB10 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.