In this review, we will be comparing Vestra W10 and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Monitor Audio 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 Monitor Audio Vestra W10 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.Monitor Audio Vestra W10and KEF KUBE 10b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10.0" drivers.
Frequency Response
Vestra W10 has a frequency range of 19-200 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the Vestra W10 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the KUBE 10b's min frequency of 24Hz.
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
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 Monitor Audio Vestra W10's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Vestra W10 has external dimensions of 342.9 x 330.2 x 403.2mm () 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).
Monitor Audio Vestra W10 is 25.8mm narrower and 29.1mm shorter than KEF KUBE 10b but it is also 6.2mm deeper.
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 Monitor Audio Vestra W10 is approximately 1331.4cm2 / 206.4inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The Vestra W10 requires 6% less surface area than the KUBE 10b 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 Monitor Audio Vestra W10 weighs 13.29kg / 29.2lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 32% heavier than the Vestra W10.
Here is a comparison of how Vestra W10 and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
342mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1331cm2
vs
1413cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
979USD
|
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. KEF KUBE 10b is 29mm taller.
| General |
Monitor Audio Vestra W10 |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
19-200 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10.0" |
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 |
342.9mm (13.5") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
330.2mm (13") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
403.2mm (15.9") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
13.29kg (29.2lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
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 | A | Monitor Audio Vestra W10 goes deeper - 19Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (250W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| 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. |
| Warranty | A | Monitor Audio Vestra W10 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 | KEF KUBE 10b costs less - $750 against $979, about 23% less. |
A Monitor Audio Vestra W10 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: Monitor Audio Vestra W10 measures better, KEF KUBE 10b costs about 23% 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.