In this review, we will be comparing Dynamo Foundation 12 and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from MartinLogan and KEF. 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 MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 and KEF KUBE 10b 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 MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12and KEF KUBE 10b have a single woofer setup however the MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the KEF KUBE 10b features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Dynamo Foundation 12 has a frequency range of 24-200 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz.
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
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12
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 MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 has external dimensions of 404.8 x 357.2 x 408.0mm () whereas KEF KUBE 10b has external dimensions of 372.0 x 356.0 x 397.0mm (14-5/8 x 14 x 15-5/8inch).
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 1.2mm wider, 32.8mm taller and 11mm deeper than KEF KUBE 10b.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 is 33mm taller.
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 MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 is approximately 1457.4cm2 / 225.9inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The Dynamo Foundation 12 requires 3% more surface area than the KUBE 10b 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 MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 weighs 13.20kg / 29lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 33% heavier than the Dynamo Foundation 12.
Here is a comparison of how Dynamo Foundation 12 and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
372mm
vs
404mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1413cm2
vs
1457cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
800USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 is 33mm taller.
| General |
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
24-200 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
700-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
404.8mm (15.9") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
357.2mm (14.1") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
408.0mm (16.1") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
13.20kg (29lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
2 Years |
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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (24Hz vs 24Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (350W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | A | MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x 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. |
| Warranty | A | MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 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 | B | KEF KUBE 10b costs less - $750 against $800, about 6% less. |
A MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 B KEF KUBE 10b
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: MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 measures better, KEF KUBE 10b costs about 6% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two.
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.