In this review, we will be comparing KC62 and SubSeries 150, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and PSB. 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 PSB SubSeries 150 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 PSB SubSeries 150 have a totally different setup: the KEF KC62 features 2 x 6.5-inch drivers whereas the SubSeries 150 features 1 x 6.5-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
KC62 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz whereas SubSeries 150 has a frequency range of 26-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KC62 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SubSeries 150's min frequency of 26Hz.
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 PSB SubSeries 150 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 PSB SubSeries 150'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 PSB SubSeries 150 has external dimensions of 280.0 x 447.0 x 143.0mm (11 x 17-9/16 x 5-5/8inch).
KEF KC62 is 189mm narrower and 35mm shorter than PSB SubSeries 150 but it is also 138mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF KC62 and PSB SubSeries 150 in scale.
Comparison image of KEF KC62 and PSB SubSeries 150 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 PSB SubSeries 150 is approximately 639.2cm2 / 99.1inch2. The KC62 requires 13% more surface area than the SubSeries 150 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 KEF KC62 weighs 14.05kg / 30.9lbs and the PSB SubSeries 150 weighs 6.05kg / 13.3lbs. This makes the KC62 132% heavier than the SubSeries 150.
Here is a comparison of how KC62 and SubSeries 150'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 PSB SubSeries 150?
Here are the items that come with the SubSeries 150:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 2 Mounting feet
- Wall-mount bracket
- Quick Start Subwoofer Guide
- Limited Warranty sheet
- Important Safety Instructions
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
26 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
245mm
vs
280mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Base Surface Area |
639cm2
vs
725cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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 KC62 needs about 13% more floor area. KEF KC62 stands 138mm further into the room. PSB SubSeries 150 is 35mm taller.
| General |
KEF KC62 |
PSB SubSeries 150 |
| Brand |
KEF |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
100 watts |
| Frequency Response |
11-200 Hz |
26-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
245.0mm (9.6") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Width |
258.0mm (10.2") |
447.0mm (17.6") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
143.0mm (5.6") |
| Weight |
14.05kg (30.9lbs) |
6.05kg (13.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
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 26Hz. 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 100W RMS, about 10dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | KEF KC62 moves more air: 2 x 6.5" against 6.5" is 2x the cone area, not the 1.41x 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | KEF KC62 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only KEF KC62 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Driver placement | depends | KEF KC62 fires side and PSB SubSeries 150 fires front. 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. |
| Warranty | A | KEF KC62 carries 2 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | PSB SubSeries 150 costs less - $499 against $1,500, about 67% less. |
A KEF KC62 B PSB SubSeries 150
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: KEF KC62 measures better, PSB SubSeries 150 costs about 67% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, KEF KC62 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $499 each, two PSB SubSeries 150 cost about $998 against $1,500 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.