In this review, we will be comparing Debut S10 2 and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC 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 ELAC Debut S10 2 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.ELAC Debut S10 2and KEF KUBE 10b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Debut S10 2 has a frequency range of 35-150 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the KUBE 10b can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Debut S10 2's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 ELAC Debut S10 2's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. ELAC Debut S10 2 has external dimensions of 368.3 x 344.5 x 379.4mm () 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).
KEF KUBE 10b is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 11.5mm wider, 3.7mm taller and 17.6mm deeper than ELAC Debut S10 2.
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 ELAC Debut S10 2 is approximately 1307.0cm2 / 202.6inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The Debut S10 2 requires 8% 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 ELAC Debut S10 2 weighs 13.02kg / 28.6lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 34% heavier than the Debut S10 2.
Here is a comparison of how Debut S10 2 and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
368mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1307cm2
vs
1413cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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 8% more floor area. KEF KUBE 10b stands 18mm further into the room.
| General |
ELAC Debut S10 2 |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
ELAC |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
35-150 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-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 |
368.3mm (14.5") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
344.5mm (13.6") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
379.4mm (14.9") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
13.02kg (28.6lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
A ported 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 KUBE 10b goes deeper - 24Hz against 35Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KUBE 10b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 100W RMS, about 4.8dB 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 | depends | ELAC Debut S10 2 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; KEF KUBE 10b 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. |
| Warranty | A | ELAC Debut S10 2 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 | ELAC Debut S10 2 costs less - $399 against $750, about 47% less. |
A ELAC Debut S10 2 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?
KEF KUBE 10b is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 88% more. ELAC Debut S10 2 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, ELAC Debut S10 2 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KUBE 10b is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $399 each, two ELAC Debut S10 2 cost about $798 against $750 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.