In this review, we will be comparing Kube 12 MIE and SB-1000 Pro, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KEF and SVS. 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 12 MIE and SVS SB-1000 Pro 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 12 MIEand SVS SB-1000 Pro have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Kube 12 MIE has a frequency range of 22-140 Hz whereas SB-1000 Pro has a frequency range of 20-270 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SB-1000 Pro can go slightly deeper then the Kube 12 MIE's min frequency of 22Hz.
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 12 MIE and SVS SB-1000 Pro 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 12 MIE's and SVS SB-1000 Pro's external dimensions. KEF Kube 12 MIE has external dimensions of 410 x 393 x 410 mm (16.1 x 15.5 x 16.1 in) whereas SVS SB-1000 Pro has external dimensions of 343.0 x 331.0 x 402.0mm (13-1/2inch x 13inch x 15-13/16inch).
KEF Kube 12 MIE is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 62mm wider, 67mm taller and 8mm deeper than SVS SB-1000 Pro.
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 12 MIE is approximately 1611.3cm2 / 249.8inch2 and base area of the SVS SB-1000 Pro is approximately 1330.6cm2 / 206.2inch2. The Kube 12 MIE requires 21% more surface area than the SB-1000 Pro 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 12 MIE weighs 18.60kg / 40.9lbs and the SVS SB-1000 Pro weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the Kube 12 MIE 57% heavier than the SB-1000 Pro.
Here is a comparison of how Kube 12 MIE and SB-1000 Pro'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 12 MIE?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Kube 12 MIE:
- Kube 12 MIE subwoofer
- Power cord
- Euroblock speaker level connector
- User manual and warranty information
What's in the Box of SVS SB-1000 Pro?
Here are the items that come with the SB-1000 Pro:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Brochure
- SVS Support Information
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
270 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
343mm
vs
410mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1330cm2
vs
1611cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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 12 MIE needs about 21% more floor area. KEF Kube 12 MIE is 67mm taller.
| General |
KEF Kube 12 MIE |
SVS SB-1000 Pro |
| Brand |
KEF |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
325 watts |
| Frequency Response |
22-140 Hz |
20-270 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
325-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
820-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Fiber-composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40-140 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
410.0mm (16.1") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
393.0mm (15.5") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
410.0mm (16.1") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
| Weight |
18.60kg (40.9lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black,White |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
Different price classes - KEF Kube 12 MIE costs roughly 1.7x what SVS SB-1000 Pro does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (22Hz vs 20Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 325W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (room correction and onboard DSP). |
| Cabinet size | depends | SVS SB-1000 Pro is about 31% 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 | SVS SB-1000 Pro carries 5 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 | B | SVS SB-1000 Pro costs less - $600 against $999, about 40% less. |
A KEF Kube 12 MIE B SVS SB-1000 Pro
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?
SVS SB-1000 Pro has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. 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 SVS SB-1000 Pro cost about $1,200 against $999 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - SVS SB-1000 Pro 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.