In this review, we will be comparing Descend DN15 and KF92, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Definitive Technology 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 Definitive DN15 and KEF KF92 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.Definitive DN15 and KEF KF92 have a totally different setup: the Definitive DN15 features 1 x 15-inch drivers whereas the KF92 features 2 x 9-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Descend DN15 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz whereas KF92 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KF92 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Descend DN15's min frequency of 20Hz.
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
The Definitive DN15 has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the KEF KF92 have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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 Definitive DN15's and KEF KF92's external dimensions. Definitive DN15 has external dimensions of 634.0 x 596.0 x 640.0mm (24-15/16inch x 23-7/16inch x 25-3/16inch) whereas KEF KF92 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 331.0 x 362.0mm (13-7/8 x 13 x 14-1/4inch).
Definitive DN15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 265mm wider, 281mm taller and 278mm deeper than KEF KF92.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Definitive DN15 and KEF KF92 in scale.
Comparison image of Definitive DN15 and KEF KF92 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 DN15 is approximately 3814.4cm2 / 591.2inch2 and base area of the KEF KF92 is approximately 1198.2cm2 / 185.7inch2. The Descend DN15 requires 218% more surface area than the KF92 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 DN15 weighs 52.09kg / 114.6lbs and the KEF KF92 weighs 20.05kg / 44.1lbs. This makes the Descend DN15 160% heavier than the KF92.
Here is a comparison of how Descend DN15 and KF92'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 DN15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Descend DN15:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- CR2032 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of KEF KF92?
Here are the items that come with the KF92:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
1799USD
vs
2000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
353mm
vs
634mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1198cm2
vs
3814cm2
|
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 DN15 needs about 218% more floor area. Definitive DN15 stands 278mm further into the room. Definitive DN15 is 281mm taller.
| General |
Definitive Technology Descend DN15 |
KEF KF92 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-150 Hz |
11-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
9" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
634.0mm (25") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
| Width |
596.0mm (23.5") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
640.0mm (25.2") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Weight |
52.09kg (114.6lbs) |
20.05kg (44.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a sealed one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | KEF KF92 goes deeper - 11Hz against 20Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KF92 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 500W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Definitive DN15 moves more air: 15" against 2 x 9" is 1.39x the cone area, not the 1.18x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Definitive DN15 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; KEF KF92 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KF92 is about 83% 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 | Definitive DN15 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 | A | Definitive DN15 costs less - $1,799 against $2,000, about 10% less. |
A Definitive DN15 B KEF KF92
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Definitive DN15 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KF92 is usually the easier one to make sound right. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - KEF KF92 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.