In this review, we will be comparing Elite ES12 and SuperCube 4000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio and Definitive Technology. 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 Polk Signature Elite ES12 and DT SuperCube 4000 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 Polk Signature Elite ES12and DT SuperCube 4000 have a single woofer setup however the Polk Signature Elite ES12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the DT SuperCube 4000 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Elite ES12 has a frequency range of 22-250 Hz whereas SuperCube 4000 has a frequency range of 16-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the SuperCube 4000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Elite ES12's min frequency of 22Hz.
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
Polk Signature Elite ES12
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
Cabinet Type
The Polk Signature Elite ES12 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 DT SuperCube 4000 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or sealed designs.
Polk Signature Elite ES12 double Port
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 Polk Signature Elite ES12's and DT SuperCube 4000's external dimensions. Polk Signature Elite ES12 has external dimensions of 231.0 x 364.0 x 532.0mm (9-1/16inch x 14-5/16inch x 20-15/16inch) whereas DT SuperCube 4000 has external dimensions of 302.0 x 281.0 x 318.0mm (11-7/8 x 11-1/16 x 12-1/2inch).
DT SuperCube 4000 is 83mm narrower and 214mm less deeper than Polk Signature Elite ES12 but it is also 71mm 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 Polk Signature Elite ES12 is approximately 1936.5cm2 / 300.2inch2 and base area of the DT SuperCube 4000 is approximately 893.6cm2 / 138.5inch2. The Elite ES12 requires 117% more surface area than the SuperCube 4000 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 Polk Signature Elite ES12 weighs 21.64kg / 47.6lbs and the DT SuperCube 4000 weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the Elite ES12 90% heavier than the SuperCube 4000.
Here is a comparison of how Elite ES12 and SuperCube 4000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Polk Signature Elite ES12
What's in the Box of Polk Signature Elite ES12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Elite ES12:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration sheet
What's in the Box of DT SuperCube 4000?
Here are the items that come with the SuperCube 4000:
- 8-inch Powered subwoofer
- 7-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (CR2025 battery installed)
- 4 Threaded rubber-feet
- 4 Spike feet (hex-nut attached)
- Owners Manual
- SC4000 Booklet
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
231mm
vs
302mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
893cm2
vs
1936cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
849USD
|
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.
Polk Signature Elite ES12 needs about 117% more floor area. Polk Signature Elite ES12 stands 214mm further into the room. DT SuperCube 4000 is 71mm taller.
| General |
Polk Signature Elite ES12 |
Definitive Technology SuperCube 4000 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
1200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
22-250 Hz |
16-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
1200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mineral-filled polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 40-150 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
231.0mm (9.1") |
302.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
364.0mm (14.3") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
318.0mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
21.64kg (47.6lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | B | DT SuperCube 4000 goes deeper - 16Hz against 22Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | DT SuperCube 4000 has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 300W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Polk Signature Elite ES12 moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Polk Signature Elite ES12 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; DT SuperCube 4000 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. 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 | B | DT SuperCube 4000 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 | DT SuperCube 4000 is about 40% 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 | DT SuperCube 4000 costs less - $799 against $849, about 6% less. |
A Polk Signature Elite ES12 B DT SuperCube 4000
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?
DT SuperCube 4000 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, DT SuperCube 4000 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - DT SuperCube 4000 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.