In this review, we will be comparing KUBE 10b and Muro SUB2020, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and ELAC. 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 ELAC Muro SUB2020 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 KUBE 10band ELAC Muro SUB2020 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz whereas Muro SUB2020 has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the KUBE 10b can go slightly deeper then the Muro SUB2020's min frequency of 28Hz.
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 ELAC Muro SUB2020 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 ELAC Muro SUB2020'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 ELAC Muro SUB2020 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 185.0 x 515.0mm (15-11/16 x 7-1/4 x 20-1/4inch).
KEF KUBE 10b is 27mm shorter and 118mm less deeper than ELAC Muro SUB2020 but it is also 171mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF KUBE 10b and ELAC Muro SUB2020 in scale.
Comparison image of KEF KUBE 10b and ELAC Muro SUB2020 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 ELAC Muro SUB2020 is approximately 952.8cm2 / 147.7inch2. The KUBE 10b requires 48% more surface area than the Muro SUB2020 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 ELAC Muro SUB2020 weighs 12.73kg / 28lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 37% heavier than the Muro SUB2020.
Here is a comparison of how KUBE 10b and Muro SUB2020'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 ELAC Muro SUB2020?
Here are the items that come with the Muro SUB2020:
- Powered subwoofer
- 8-feet AC power cord
- 4 Cone feet
- 2 Brackets
- 2 Machine screws
- 2 Wood screws
- 2 Washers
- 2 Wall anchors
- Operating Instructions
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
372mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
1000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
952cm2
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 48% more floor area. ELAC Muro SUB2020 stands 118mm further into the room. ELAC Muro SUB2020 is 27mm taller.
| General |
KEF KUBE 10b |
ELAC Muro SUB2020 |
| Brand |
KEF |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-140 Hz |
28-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Woven Cellulose Fiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-140 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
side or bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
372.0mm (14.6") |
399.0mm (15.7") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
185.0mm (7.3") |
| Depth |
397.0mm (15.6") |
515.0mm (20.3") |
| Weight |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
12.73kg (28lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
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 KUBE 10b goes deeper - 24Hz against 28Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 28Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | KEF KUBE 10b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | KEF KUBE 10b fires front and ELAC Muro SUB2020 fires side or down. 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | ELAC Muro SUB2020 is about 28% 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 | A | KEF KUBE 10b 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 | A | KEF KUBE 10b costs less - $750 against $1,000, about 25% less. |
A KEF KUBE 10b B ELAC Muro SUB2020
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 KUBE 10b is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take ELAC Muro SUB2020 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room.
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.