In this review, we will be comparing KC92 and MilleniaSub, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and Paradigm. 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 Paradigm MilleniaSub have a totally different setup: the KEF KC92 features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the MilleniaSub features 1 x -inch drivers.
Frequency Response
KC92 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz whereas MilleniaSub has a frequency range of 24-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KC92 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MilleniaSub's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 KC92 and Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 KC92's and Paradigm MilleniaSub'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 Paradigm MilleniaSub has external dimensions of 386.0 x 180.0 x 467.0mm (15-3/16inch x 7-1/16inch x 18-3/8inch).
KEF KC92 is 34mm shorter and 106mm less deeper than Paradigm MilleniaSub but it is also 150mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
KEF KC92 needs about 42% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm MilleniaSub is 106mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm MilleniaSub is 34mm taller.
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 Paradigm MilleniaSub is approximately 840.6cm2 / 130.3inch2. The KC92 requires 42% more surface area than the MilleniaSub 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 KC92 weighs 20.00kg / 44lbs and the Paradigm MilleniaSub weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the KC92 83% heavier than the MilleniaSub.
Here is a comparison of how KC92 and MilleniaSub'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 Paradigm MilleniaSub?
Here are the items that come with the MilleniaSub:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Stand
- 4 Feet
- 4 Locking collars
- 4 Felt-pads
- 2 Screws
- 4 Rubber inserts
- Owners Manual
- Important Operating Info
 Woofer Size |
9 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
352mm
vs
386mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Base Surface Area |
840cm2
vs
1191cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1699USD
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.
KEF KC92 needs about 42% more floor area. Paradigm MilleniaSub stands 106mm further into the room. Paradigm MilleniaSub is 34mm taller.
| General |
KEF KC92 |
Paradigm MilleniaSub |
| Brand |
KEF |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
11-200 Hz |
24-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Reinforced Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-140 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front and back |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
352.0mm (13.9") |
386.0mm (15.2") |
| Width |
330.0mm (13") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
361.0mm (14.2") |
467.0mm (18.4") |
| Weight |
20.00kg (44lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | KEF KC92 goes deeper - 11Hz against 24Hz. 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 300W RMS, about 5.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | KEF KC92 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 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 | Paradigm MilleniaSub is about 23% 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 | Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 | Paradigm MilleniaSub costs less - $1,699 against $1,999, about 15% less. |
A KEF KC92 B Paradigm MilleniaSub
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 KC92 measures better, Paradigm MilleniaSub costs about 15% 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 KC92 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.