In this review, we will be comparing Defiance V8 and KUBE 8b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm 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 Paradigm Defiance V8 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.Paradigm Defiance V8and KEF KUBE 8b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
Defiance V8 has a frequency range of 34-200 Hz whereas KUBE 8b has a frequency range of 34-140 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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The Paradigm Defiance V8 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the KEF KUBE 8b have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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 Paradigm Defiance V8's and KEF KUBE 8b's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance V8 has external dimensions of 361.0 x 326.0 x 399.0mm (14-3/16inch x 12-13/16inch x 15-11/16inch) 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).
Paradigm Defiance V8 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 30mm wider, 67mm taller and 60mm deeper than KEF KUBE 8b.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Defiance V8 and KEF KUBE 8b in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Defiance V8 and KEF KUBE 8b 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 Paradigm Defiance V8 is approximately 1300.7cm2 / 201.6inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 8b is approximately 1003.4cm2 / 155.5inch2. The Defiance V8 requires 30% 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 Paradigm Defiance V8 weighs 12.05kg / 26.5lbs and the KEF KUBE 8b weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the Defiance V8 6% heavier than the KUBE 8b.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance V8 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 Paradigm Defiance V8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Defiance V8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feetAC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Important Unboxing Information
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
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
480USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
294mm
vs
361mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1003cm2
vs
1300cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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.
Paradigm Defiance V8 needs about 30% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance V8 stands 60mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance V8 is 67mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance V8 |
KEF KUBE 8b |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
75 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
34-200 Hz |
34-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
75-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
361.0mm (14.2") |
294.0mm (11.6") |
| Width |
326.0mm (12.8") |
296.0mm (11.7") |
| Depth |
399.0mm (15.7") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
12.05kg (26.5lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (34Hz vs 34Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KUBE 8b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 75W RMS, about 6dB 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 | Paradigm Defiance V8 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; 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. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Paradigm Defiance V8 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 37% 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 | Paradigm Defiance V8 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 | A | Paradigm Defiance V8 costs less - $480 against $600, about 20% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance V8 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?
Paradigm Defiance V8 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Paradigm Defiance V8 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. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance V8 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.