In this review, we will be comparing KC62 and Dynamo 1100X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and MartinLogan. 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 KEF KC62 and MartinLogan 1100X 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.KEF KC62 and MartinLogan 1100X have a totally different setup: the KEF KC62 features 2 x 6.5-inch drivers whereas the Dynamo 1100X features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
KC62 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz whereas Dynamo 1100X has a frequency range of 22-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KC62 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dynamo 1100X'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
Both KEF KC62 and MartinLogan 1100X have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. 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 KEF KC62's and MartinLogan 1100X's external dimensions. KEF KC62 has external dimensions of 245.0 x 258.0 x 281.0mm (9-5/8inch x 10-1/8inch x 11-1/16inch) whereas MartinLogan 1100X has external dimensions of 435.0 x 381.0 x 410.0mm (17-1/8 x 15 x 16-1/8inch).
MartinLogan 1100X is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 123mm wider, 190mm taller and 129mm deeper than KEF KC62.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF KC62 and MartinLogan 1100X in scale.
Comparison image of KEF KC62 and MartinLogan 1100X 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 KEF KC62 is approximately 725.0cm2 / 112.4inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 1100X is approximately 1562.1cm2 / 242.1inch2. The KC62 requires 54% less surface area than the Dynamo 1100X 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 KEF KC62 weighs 14.05kg / 30.9lbs and the MartinLogan 1100X weighs 20.91kg / 46lbs. This makes the Dynamo 1100X 49% heavier than the KC62.
Here is a comparison of how KC62 and Dynamo 1100X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF KC62?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of KC62:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 1100X?
Here are the items that come with the Dynamo 1100X:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User-feets Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
245mm
vs
435mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
725cm2
vs
1562cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
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.
MartinLogan 1100X needs about 115% more floor area. MartinLogan 1100X stands 129mm further into the room. MartinLogan 1100X is 190mm taller.
| General |
KEF KC62 |
MartinLogan Dynamo 1100X |
| Brand |
KEF |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
650 watts |
| Frequency Response |
11-200 Hz |
22-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
650-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front and bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
245.0mm (9.6") |
435.0mm (17.1") |
| Width |
258.0mm (10.2") |
381.0mm (15") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
410.0mm (16.1") |
| Weight |
14.05kg (30.9lbs) |
20.91kg (46lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Satin Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | KEF KC62 goes deeper - 11Hz against 22Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | KEF KC62 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 650W RMS, about 1.9dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | MartinLogan 1100X moves more air: 12" against 2 x 6.5" is 1.7x the cone area, not the 1.31x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (room correction). |
| Driver placement | depends | KEF KC62 fires side and MartinLogan 1100X fires front/down. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KC62 is about 74% 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 | B | MartinLogan 1100X 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 | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A KEF KC62 B MartinLogan 1100X
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. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - KEF KC62 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.