In this review, we will be comparing KUBE 10b and Sub 3, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and Dynaudio. 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 KUBE 10b and Dynaudio Sub 3 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.Both KEF KUBE 10band Dynaudio Sub 3 have a single woofer setup however the KEF KUBE 10b's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Dynaudio Sub 3 features a 9.5-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz whereas Sub 3 has a frequency range of 22-175 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the Sub 3 can go slightly deeper then the KUBE 10b'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 KUBE 10b and Dynaudio Sub 3 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 KUBE 10b's and Dynaudio Sub 3's external dimensions. KEF KUBE 10b has external dimensions of 372.0 x 356.0 x 397.0mm (14-5/8 x 14 x 15-5/8inch) whereas Dynaudio Sub 3 has external dimensions of 277.0 x 269.0 x 366.0mm (10-7/8 x 10-9/16 x 14-3/8inch).
KEF KUBE 10b is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 87mm wider, 95mm taller and 31mm deeper than Dynaudio Sub 3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF KUBE 10b and Dynaudio Sub 3 in scale.
Comparison image of KEF KUBE 10b and Dynaudio Sub 3 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 KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Sub 3 is approximately 984.5cm2 / 152.6inch2. The KUBE 10b requires 44% more surface area than the Sub 3 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 KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs and the Dynaudio Sub 3 weighs 10.50kg / 23.1lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 67% heavier than the Sub 3.
Here is a comparison of how KUBE 10b and Sub 3'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 KUBE 10b?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of KUBE 10b:
- 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 Dynaudio Sub 3?
Here are the items that come with the Sub 3:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Extension Card
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
9.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
1399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Low Frequency Response |
22 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
277mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
984cm2
vs
1413cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 KUBE 10b needs about 44% more floor area. KEF KUBE 10b stands 31mm further into the room. KEF KUBE 10b is 95mm taller.
| General |
KEF KUBE 10b |
Dynaudio Sub 3 |
| Brand |
KEF |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-140 Hz |
22-175 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
9.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-140 Hz |
50-150Hz and 60Hz/80Hz/FlatHz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
372.0mm (14.6") |
277.0mm (10.9") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
269.0mm (10.6") |
| Depth |
397.0mm (15.6") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Weight |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
10.50kg (23.1lbs) |
| 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 |
Different price classes - Dynaudio Sub 3 costs roughly 1.9x what KEF KUBE 10b does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (24Hz vs 22Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 9.5"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only KEF KUBE 10b 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 | Dynaudio Sub 3 is about 48% 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 | Dynaudio Sub 3 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 | A | KEF KUBE 10b costs less - $750 against $1,399, about 46% less. |
A KEF KUBE 10b B Dynaudio Sub 3
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?
Dynaudio Sub 3 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 87% more. KEF KUBE 10b is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $750 each, two KEF KUBE 10b cost about $1,500 against $1,399 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Dynaudio Sub 3 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.