In this review, we will be comparing Cub3 and Cub Evo, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Focal. 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 Focal Cub3 and Focal Cub Evo 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.Focal Cub3and Focal Cub Evo have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
Cub3 has a frequency range of 40-150 Hz whereas Cub Evo has a frequency range of 35-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Cub Evo can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Cub3's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 Focal Cub3 and Focal Cub Evo have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the 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 Focal Cub3's and Focal Cub Evo's external dimensions. Focal Cub3 has external dimensions of 332.0 x 302.0 x 355.0mm (13-1/16inch x 11-7/8inch x 13-15/16inch) whereas Focal Cub Evo has external dimensions of 308.0 x 285.0 x 328.0mm (12-1/8 x 11-3/16 x 12-7/8inch).
Focal Cub3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 17mm wider, 24mm taller and 27mm deeper than Focal Cub Evo.
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 Focal Cub3 is approximately 1072.1cm2 / 166.2inch2 and base area of the Focal Cub Evo is approximately 934.8cm2 / 144.9inch2. The Cub3 requires 15% more surface area than the Cub Evo 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 Focal Cub3 weighs 10.09kg / 22.2lbs and the Focal Cub Evo weighs 7.95kg / 17.5lbs. This makes the Cub3 27% heavier than the Cub Evo.
Here is a comparison of how Cub3 and Cub Evo's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Focal Cub3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Cub3:
- Powered subwoofer
- 8-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Thank You Card
What's in the Box of Focal Cub Evo?
Here are the items that come with the Cub Evo:
- Powered subwoofer
- 8-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Thank You Card
 Price per pair* |
261USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
308mm
vs
332mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
934cm2
vs
1072cm2
|
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.
Focal Cub3 needs about 15% more floor area. Focal Cub3 stands 27mm further into the room. Focal Cub3 is 24mm taller.
| General |
Focal Cub3 |
Focal Cub Evo |
| Brand |
Focal |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
40-150 Hz |
35-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polyflex |
Polyflex |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
332.0mm (13.1") |
308.0mm (12.1") |
| Width |
302.0mm (11.9") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Depth |
355.0mm (14") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Weight |
10.09kg (22.2lbs) |
7.95kg (17.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Siblings in Focal's Cub range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Focal Cub Evo goes deeper - 35Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Focal Cub Evo has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 150W RMS, about 1.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Focal Cub Evo is about 19% 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 | A | Focal Cub3 costs less - $261 against $599, about 56% less. |
A Focal Cub3 B Focal Cub Evo
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?
The usual trade-off: Focal Cub Evo measures better, Focal Cub3 costs about 56% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $261 each, two Focal Cub3 cost about $522 against $599 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.