In this review, we will be comparing MSX Sub 300 and ProSub 1000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Cambridge Audio and Definitive Technology. 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 and Definitive ProSub 1000 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.Both Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300and Definitive ProSub 1000 have a single woofer setup however the Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Definitive ProSub 1000 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
MSX Sub 300 has a frequency range of 31-200 Hz whereas ProSub 1000 has a frequency range of 18-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the ProSub 1000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MSX Sub 300's min frequency of 31Hz.
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
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300's and Definitive ProSub 1000's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 has external dimensions of 312.7 x 266.7 x 311.2mm () whereas Definitive ProSub 1000 has external dimensions of 366.0 x 307.0 x 486.0mm (14-3/8 x 12-1/16 x 19-1/8inch).
Definitive ProSub 1000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40.3mm wider, 53.3mm taller and 174.8mm deeper than Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Definitive ProSub 1000 needs about 80% more floor or shelf area. Definitive ProSub 1000 is 175mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Definitive ProSub 1000 is 53mm 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is approximately 830.0cm2 / 128.7inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 1000 is approximately 1492.0cm2 / 231.3inch2. The MSX Sub 300 requires 44% less surface area than the ProSub 1000 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 weighs 7.48kg / 16.5lbs and the Definitive ProSub 1000 weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the ProSub 1000 88% heavier than the MSX Sub 300.
Here is a comparison of how MSX Sub 300 and ProSub 1000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
312mm
vs
366mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
830cm2
vs
1492cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
31 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
549USD
|
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.
Definitive ProSub 1000 needs about 80% more floor area. Definitive ProSub 1000 stands 175mm further into the room. Definitive ProSub 1000 is 53mm taller.
| General |
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 |
Definitive Technology ProSub 1000 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
31-200 Hz |
18-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.7mm (12.3") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
266.7mm (10.5") |
307.0mm (12.1") |
| Depth |
311.2mm (12.3") |
486.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
7.48kg (16.5lbs) |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Definitive ProSub 1000 goes deeper - 18Hz against 31Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | Definitive ProSub 1000 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are passive radiator designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 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 | B | Definitive ProSub 1000 carries 3 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 | Definitive ProSub 1000 costs less - $499 against $549, about 9% less. |
A Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 B Definitive ProSub 1000
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?
Definitive ProSub 1000 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 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.