In this review, we will be comparing R18s and KUBE 8b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Perlisten 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 Perlisten R18s 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.Perlisten R18s and KEF KUBE 8b have a totally different setup: the Perlisten R18s features x -inch drivers whereas the KUBE 8b features 1 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
R18s has a frequency range of 20-288 Hz whereas KUBE 8b has a frequency range of 34-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the R18s 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
The Perlisten R18s 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 Perlisten R18s's and KEF KUBE 8b's external dimensions. Perlisten R18s has external dimensions of 618.0 x 570.0 x 575.0mm () 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).
Perlisten R18s is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 274mm wider, 324mm taller and 236mm deeper than KEF KUBE 8b.
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 227% more floor or shelf area. Perlisten R18s is 236mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Perlisten R18s is 324mm 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 Perlisten R18s is approximately 3277.5cm2 / 508.0inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 8b is approximately 1003.4cm2 / 155.5inch2. The R18s requires 227% 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 Perlisten R18s weighs 57.30kg / 126.1lbs and the KEF KUBE 8b weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the R18s 404% heavier than the KUBE 8b.
Here is a comparison of how R18s and KUBE 8b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
288 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
294mm
vs
618mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1003cm2
vs
3277cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
5495USD
|
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 227% more floor area. Perlisten R18s stands 236mm further into the room. Perlisten R18s is 324mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten R18s |
KEF KUBE 8b |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-288 Hz |
34-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
8" |
| 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 |
618.0mm (24.3") |
294.0mm (11.6") |
| Width |
570.0mm (22.4") |
296.0mm (11.7") |
| Depth |
575.0mm (22.6") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
57.30kg (126.1lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
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 | A | Perlisten R18s goes deeper - 20Hz against 34Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | depends | Perlisten R18s 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KUBE 8b is about 85% 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. |
| Price | B | KEF KUBE 8b costs less - $600 against $5,495, about 89% less. |
A Perlisten R18s 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?
Perlisten R18s is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 9.2x the price. KEF KUBE 8b is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Perlisten R18s 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. 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 $5,495 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.