In this review, we will be comparing Sub E-12 F and HT 1003 MKII, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from DALI and REL. 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 DALI Sub E-12 F and REL HT 1003 MKII 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 DALI Sub E-12 Fand REL HT 1003 MKII have a single woofer setup however the DALI Sub E-12 F's woofer is 12-inch whereas the REL HT 1003 MKII features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Sub E-12 F has a frequency range of 28-190 Hz whereas HT 1003 MKII has a frequency range of 24-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the HT 1003 MKII can go slightly deeper then the Sub E-12 F's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
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 DALI Sub E-12 F's and REL HT 1003 MKII's external dimensions. DALI Sub E-12 F has external dimensions of 385 x 339 x 391 mm () whereas REL HT 1003 MKII has external dimensions of 341.3 x 365.1 x 435.0mm ().
DALI Sub E-12 F is 26.1mm narrower and 44mm less deeper than REL HT 1003 MKII but it is also 43.7mm taller.
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.
REL HT 1003 MKII needs about 20% more floor or shelf area. REL HT 1003 MKII is 44mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. DALI Sub E-12 F is 44mm 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 DALI Sub E-12 F is approximately 1325.5cm2 / 205.5inch2 and base area of the REL HT 1003 MKII is approximately 1588.2cm2 / 246.2inch2. The Sub E-12 F requires 17% less surface area than the HT 1003 MKII which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.