In this review, we will be comparing ForceField 3 and KUBE 12b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from GoldenEar 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 GoldenEar ForceField 3 and KEF KUBE 12b first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the GoldenEar ForceField 3 and KEF KUBE 12b compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both GoldenEar ForceField 3and KEF KUBE 12b have a single woofer setup however the GoldenEar ForceField 3's woofer is 8-inch whereas the KEF KUBE 12b features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
ForceField 3 has a frequency range of 18-250 Hz whereas KUBE 12b has a frequency range of 22-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the ForceField 3 can go slightly deeper then the KUBE 12b's min frequency of 22Hz.
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 GoldenEar ForceField 3 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 KUBE 12b 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare GoldenEar ForceField 3's and KEF KUBE 12b's external dimensions. GoldenEar ForceField 3 has external dimensions of 288.0 x 293.0 x 432.0mm ( 11-5/16inch x 11-1/2inch x 17inch ) whereas KEF KUBE 12b has external dimensions of 410.0 x 396.0 x 442.0mm ( 16-1/8 x 15-9/16 x 17-3/8inch) .
KEF KUBE 12b is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 103mm wider, 122mm taller and 10mm deeper than GoldenEar ForceField 3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of GoldenEar ForceField 3 and KEF KUBE 12b in scale.
Comparison image of GoldenEar ForceField 3 and KEF KUBE 12b 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 GoldenEar ForceField 3 is approximately 1265.8cm2 / 196.2inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 12b is approximately 1750.3cm2 / 271.3inch2. The ForceField 3 requires 28% less surface area than the KUBE 12b 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 GoldenEar ForceField 3 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs and the KEF KUBE 12b weighs 20.68kg / 45.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 12b 75% heavier than the ForceField 3.
Here is a comparison of how ForceField 3 and KUBE 12b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar ForceField 3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ForceField 3:
Powered Subwoofer10-feet AC power cordOwners Manual
What's in the Box of KEF KUBE 12b?
Here are the items that come with the KUBE 12b:
Powered subwoofer6.5-feet AC power cordSpeaker-level input blockUser ManualImportant Safety InformationWarranty Information
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250k Hz
vs
140k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
288mm
vs
410mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1265cm2 (293x432mm)
vs
1750cm2 (396x442mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| General |
GoldenEar ForceField 3 |
KEF KUBE 12b |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
18-250 Hz |
22-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Not given |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
288.0mm (11.3") |
410.0mm (16.1") |
| Width |
293.0mm (11.5") |
396.0mm (15.6") |
| Depth |
432.0mm (17") |
442.0mm (17.4") |
| Weight |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
20.68kg (45.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |