In this review, we will be comparing KUBE 8b and Muro SUB2010, 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 8b and ELAC Muro SUB2010 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 8band ELAC Muro SUB2010 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
KUBE 8b has a frequency range of 34-140 Hz whereas Muro SUB2010 has a frequency range of 38-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 34Hz, the KUBE 8b can go slightly deeper then the Muro SUB2010's min frequency of 38Hz.
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
The KEF KUBE 8b has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the ELAC Muro SUB2010 have Bass Reflex type enclosure. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed 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 ELAC Muro SUB2010'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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 has external dimensions of 388.0 x 135.0 x 405.0mm (15-1/4 x 5-5/16 x 15-15/16inch).
KEF KUBE 8b is 94mm shorter and 66mm less deeper than ELAC Muro SUB2010 but it is also 161mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KEF KUBE 8b and ELAC Muro SUB2010 in scale.
Comparison image of KEF KUBE 8b and ELAC Muro SUB2010 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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 is approximately 546.8cm2 / 84.8inch2. The KUBE 8b requires 84% more surface area than the Muro SUB2010 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 8b weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs and the ELAC Muro SUB2010 weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the KUBE 8b 45% heavier than the Muro SUB2010.
Here is a comparison of how KUBE 8b and Muro SUB2010'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 ELAC Muro SUB2010?
Here are the items that come with the Muro SUB2010:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-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 |
34 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
294mm
vs
388mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
770USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
546cm2
vs
1003cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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 8b needs about 84% more floor area. ELAC Muro SUB2010 stands 66mm further into the room. ELAC Muro SUB2010 is 94mm taller.
| General |
KEF KUBE 8b |
ELAC Muro SUB2010 |
| Brand |
KEF |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
125 watts |
| Frequency Response |
34-140 Hz |
38-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
125-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polypropylene |
| 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 |
294.0mm (11.6") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Width |
296.0mm (11.7") |
135.0mm (5.3") |
| Depth |
339.0mm (13.3") |
405.0mm (15.9") |
| Weight |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | KEF KUBE 8b goes deeper - 34Hz against 38Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 38Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | KEF KUBE 8b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 125W RMS, about 3.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | KEF KUBE 8b is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; ELAC Muro SUB2010 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only ELAC Muro SUB2010 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. |
| Driver placement | depends | KEF KUBE 8b fires front and ELAC Muro SUB2010 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 SUB2010 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 8b 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 8b costs less - $600 against $770, about 22% less. |
A KEF KUBE 8b B ELAC Muro SUB2010
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 8b is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take ELAC Muro SUB2010 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, ELAC Muro SUB2010 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KUBE 8b is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.