In this review, we will be comparing KF92 and Sub 1000 F, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and Focal. 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 KF92 and Focal Sub 1000 F 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 KF92 and Focal Sub 1000 F have a totally different setup: the KEF KF92 features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the Sub 1000 F features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
KF92 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz whereas Sub 1000 F has a frequency range of 24-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KF92 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Sub 1000 F'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 KF92 and Focal Sub 1000 F 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 KF92's and Focal Sub 1000 F's external dimensions. KEF KF92 has external dimensions of 353.0 x 331.0 x 362.0mm (13-7/8 x 13 x 14-1/4inch) whereas Focal Sub 1000 F has external dimensions of 421.0 x 401.0 x 474.0mm (16-9/16 x 15-3/4 x 18-5/8inch).
Focal Sub 1000 F is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 70mm wider, 68mm taller and 112mm deeper than KEF KF92.
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 KF92 is approximately 1198.2cm2 / 185.7inch2 and base area of the Focal Sub 1000 F is approximately 1900.7cm2 / 294.6inch2. The KF92 requires 37% less surface area than the Sub 1000 F 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 KF92 weighs 20.05kg / 44.1lbs and the Focal Sub 1000 F weighs 21.36kg / 47lbs. This makes the Sub 1000 F 7% heavier than the KF92.
Here is a comparison of how KF92 and Sub 1000 F'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 KF92?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of KF92:
- 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 Focal Sub 1000 F?
Here are the items that come with the Sub 1000 F:
- Powered subwoofer
- 8-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- User Manual
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
353mm
vs
421mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1198cm2
vs
1900cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2000USD
vs
2099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
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.
Focal Sub 1000 F needs about 59% more floor area. Focal Sub 1000 F stands 112mm further into the room. Focal Sub 1000 F is 68mm taller.
| General |
KEF KF92 |
Focal Sub 1000 F |
| Brand |
KEF |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
11-200 Hz |
24-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Hybrid aluminum |
Flax |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
353.0mm (13.9") |
421.0mm (16.6") |
| Width |
331.0mm (13") |
401.0mm (15.8") |
| Depth |
362.0mm (14.3") |
474.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
20.05kg (44.1lbs) |
21.36kg (47lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| 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 KF92 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 | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (1000W vs 1000W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (2 x 9" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | KEF KF92 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KF92 is about 47% 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 | Focal Sub 1000 F 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 KF92 B Focal Sub 1000 F
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?
KEF KF92 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, KEF KF92 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - KEF KF92 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.