In this review, we will be comparing KC92 and Descend DN15, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and Definitive Technology. 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 KC92 and Definitive DN15 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 KC92 and Definitive DN15 have a totally different setup: the KEF KC92 features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the Descend DN15 features 1 x 15-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
KC92 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz whereas Descend DN15 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KC92 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Descend DN15's min frequency of 20Hz.
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 KEF KC92 has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the Definitive DN15 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. 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.
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 KC92's and Definitive DN15's external dimensions. KEF KC92 has external dimensions of 352.5 x 330 x 360.5 mm (13.88 x 13.00 x 14.19 in) whereas Definitive DN15 has external dimensions of 634.0 x 596.0 x 640.0mm (24-15/16inch x 23-7/16inch x 25-3/16inch).
Definitive DN15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 266mm wider, 282mm taller and 279mm deeper than KEF KC92.
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 KC92 is approximately 1191.3cm2 / 184.7inch2 and base area of the Definitive DN15 is approximately 3814.4cm2 / 591.2inch2. The KC92 requires 69% less surface area than the Descend DN15 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 KC92 weighs 20.00kg / 44lbs and the Definitive DN15 weighs 52.09kg / 114.6lbs. This makes the Descend DN15 160% heavier than the KC92.
Here is a comparison of how KC92 and Descend DN15'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 KC92?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of KC92:
- KC92 subwoofer
- Power cord
- Euroblock speaker level connector
- User manual and warranty information
What's in the Box of Definitive DN15?
Here are the items that come with the Descend DN15:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- CR2032 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)
- Owners Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
352mm
vs
634mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1191cm2
vs
3814cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
1799USD
vs
1999USD
|
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.
Definitive DN15 needs about 220% more floor area. Definitive DN15 stands 279mm further into the room. Definitive DN15 is 282mm taller.
| General |
KEF KC92 |
Definitive Technology Descend DN15 |
| Brand |
KEF |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
11-200 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-140 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
352.0mm (13.9") |
634.0mm (25") |
| Width |
330.0mm (13") |
596.0mm (23.5") |
| Depth |
361.0mm (14.2") |
640.0mm (25.2") |
| Weight |
20.00kg (44lbs) |
52.09kg (114.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | A | KEF KC92 goes deeper - 11Hz against 20Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | KEF KC92 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 500W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Definitive DN15 moves more air: 15" against 2 x 9" is 1.39x the cone area, not the 1.18x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | KEF KC92 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Definitive DN15 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only KEF KC92 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KC92 is about 83% 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 | Definitive DN15 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 | B | Definitive DN15 costs less - $1,799 against $1,999, about 10% less. |
A KEF KC92 B Definitive DN15
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. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Definitive DN15 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KC92 is usually the easier one to make sound right. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - KEF KC92 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.