In this review, we will be comparing SubSeries BP8 and KUBE 8b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from PSB 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 PSB SubSeries BP8 and KEF KUBE 8b 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.PSB SubSeries BP8and KEF KUBE 8b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
SubSeries BP8 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz whereas KUBE 8b has a frequency range of 34-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the SubSeries BP8 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 PSB SubSeries BP8 and KEF KUBE 8b 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 PSB SubSeries BP8's and KEF KUBE 8b's external dimensions. PSB SubSeries BP8 has external dimensions of 355 x 330 x 330mm (14 x 13 x 13 inch) whereas 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).
KEF KUBE 8b is 34mm narrower and 61mm shorter than PSB SubSeries BP8 but it is also 9mm deeper.
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.
PSB SubSeries BP8 needs about 9% more floor or shelf area. PSB SubSeries BP8 is 61mm 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 PSB SubSeries BP8 is approximately 1089.0cm2 / 168.8inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 8b is approximately 1003.4cm2 / 155.5inch2. The SubSeries BP8 requires 9% more surface area than the KUBE 8b 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 PSB SubSeries BP8 weighs 19.10kg / 42lbs and the KEF KUBE 8b weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the SubSeries BP8 68% heavier than the KUBE 8b.
Here is a comparison of how SubSeries BP8 and KUBE 8b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB SubSeries BP8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SubSeries BP8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille
- 8-feet Power cord
- Owners Guide
- Specifications sheet
- Warranty Card
What's in the Box of KEF KUBE 8b?
Here are the items that come with the KUBE 8b:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
294mm
vs
355mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1003cm2
vs
1089cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
1499USD
|
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.
PSB SubSeries BP8 needs about 9% more floor area. PSB SubSeries BP8 is 61mm taller.
| General |
PSB SubSeries BP8 |
KEF KUBE 8b |
| Brand |
PSB |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
34-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon Fibre |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
High Density Rubber |
n/a |
| 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 |
355.0mm (14") |
294.0mm (11.6") |
| Width |
330.0mm (13") |
296.0mm (11.7") |
| Depth |
330.0mm (13") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
19.10kg (42lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black, Satin White |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
Different price classes - PSB SubSeries BP8 costs roughly 2.5x what KEF KUBE 8b does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | PSB SubSeries BP8 goes deeper - 25Hz against 34Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | A | PSB SubSeries BP8 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 | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | PSB SubSeries BP8 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 24% 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 | 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 | B | KEF KUBE 8b costs less - $600 against $1,499, about 60% less. |
A PSB SubSeries BP8 B KEF KUBE 8b
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: PSB SubSeries BP8 measures better, KEF KUBE 8b costs about 60% 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, PSB SubSeries BP8 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 $1,499 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.