In this review, we will be comparing KUBE 8b and ASW610XP, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and Bowers Wilkins. 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 8b and B&W ASW610XP 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 8band B&W ASW610XP have a single woofer setup however the KEF KUBE 8b's woofer is 8-inch whereas the B&W ASW610XP features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
KUBE 8b has a frequency range of 34-140 Hz whereas ASW610XP has a frequency range of 25-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the ASW610XP can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the KUBE 8b's min frequency of 34Hz.
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 8b and B&W ASW610XP 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 8b's and B&W ASW610XP's external dimensions. KEF KUBE 8b has external dimensions of 294.0 x 296.0 x 339.0mm (11-9/16 x 11-5/8 x 13-5/16inch) whereas B&W ASW610XP has external dimensions of 337.0 x 328.0 x 410.0mm (13-1/4 x 12-7/8 x 16-1/8inch).
B&W ASW610XP is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 32mm wider, 43mm taller and 71mm deeper than KEF KUBE 8b.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF KUBE 8b and B&W ASW610XP in scale.
Comparison image of KEF KUBE 8b and B&W ASW610XP 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 8b is approximately 1003.4cm2 / 155.5inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610XP is approximately 1344.8cm2 / 208.4inch2. The KUBE 8b requires 25% less surface area than the ASW610XP 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 KUBE 8b weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs and the B&W ASW610XP weighs 18.69kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the ASW610XP 65% heavier than the KUBE 8b.
Here is a comparison of how KUBE 8b and ASW610XP'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 8b?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of KUBE 8b:
- 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 B&W ASW610XP?
Here are the items that come with the ASW610XP:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 Height |
294mm
vs
337mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1003cm2
vs
1344cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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.
B&W ASW610XP needs about 34% more floor area. B&W ASW610XP stands 71mm further into the room. B&W ASW610XP is 43mm taller.
| General |
KEF KUBE 8b |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610XP |
| Brand |
KEF |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
34-140 Hz |
25-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper/Aramid Fiber/Resin |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-140 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
294.0mm (11.6") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Width |
296.0mm (11.7") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Depth |
339.0mm (13.3") |
410.0mm (16.1") |
| Weight |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
18.69kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - B&W ASW610XP costs roughly 3x what KEF KUBE 8b does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | B&W ASW610XP goes deeper - 25Hz against 34Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | B&W ASW610XP has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 300W RMS, about 2.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | B&W ASW610XP moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | B&W ASW610XP 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 KUBE 8b is about 35% 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. |
| Price | A | KEF KUBE 8b costs less - $600 against $1,799, about 67% less. |
A KEF KUBE 8b B B&W ASW610XP
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: B&W ASW610XP measures better, KEF KUBE 8b costs about 67% 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, B&W ASW610XP is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $600 each, two KEF KUBE 8b cost about $1,200 against $1,799 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.