In this review, we will be comparing Descend DN10 and SuperCube 4000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by 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 Definitive DN10 and DT SuperCube 4000 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 Definitive DN10and DT SuperCube 4000 have a single woofer setup however the Definitive DN10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the DT SuperCube 4000 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Descend DN10 has a frequency range of 30-200 Hz whereas SuperCube 4000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the SuperCube 4000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Descend DN10's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 Definitive DN10 and DT SuperCube 4000 have Passive Radiator type cabinets. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or sealed 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 Definitive DN10's and DT SuperCube 4000's external dimensions. Definitive DN10 has external dimensions of 434.0 x 408.0 x 466.0mm (17-1/16inch x 16-1/16inch x 18-5/16inch) whereas DT SuperCube 4000 has external dimensions of 302.0 x 281.0 x 318.0mm (11-7/8 x 11-1/16 x 12-1/2inch).
Definitive DN10 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 127mm wider, 132mm taller and 148mm deeper than DT SuperCube 4000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Definitive DN10 and DT SuperCube 4000 in scale.
Comparison image of Definitive DN10 and DT SuperCube 4000 Size and External Dimensions
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 Definitive DN10 is approximately 1901.3cm2 / 294.7inch2 and base area of the DT SuperCube 4000 is approximately 893.6cm2 / 138.5inch2. The Descend DN10 requires 113% more surface area than the SuperCube 4000 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Definitive DN10 weighs 20.73kg / 45.6lbs and the DT SuperCube 4000 weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the Descend DN10 82% heavier than the SuperCube 4000.
Here is a comparison of how Descend DN10 and SuperCube 4000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Definitive DN10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Descend DN10:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of DT SuperCube 4000?
Here are the items that come with the SuperCube 4000:
- 8-inch Powered subwoofer
- 7-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (CR2025 battery installed)
- 4 Threaded rubber-feet
- 4 Spike feet (hex-nut attached)
- Owners Manual
- SC4000 Booklet
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 10-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
302mm
vs
434mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
893cm2
vs
1901cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 DN10 needs about 113% more floor area. Definitive DN10 stands 148mm further into the room. Definitive DN10 is 132mm taller.
| General |
Definitive Technology Descend DN10 |
Definitive Technology SuperCube 4000 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
1200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-200 Hz |
16-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
1200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 40-150 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
434.0mm (17.1") |
302.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
466.0mm (18.3") |
318.0mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
20.73kg (45.6lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Both are Definitive Technology, so the design approach is shared and the differences are mostly in output, size and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | DT SuperCube 4000 goes deeper - 16Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | DT SuperCube 4000 has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 200W RMS, about 7.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Definitive DN10 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 | DT SuperCube 4000 is about 67% 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. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A Definitive DN10 B DT SuperCube 4000
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?
DT SuperCube 4000 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 - DT SuperCube 4000 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.