In this review, we will be comparing 3060S and KC62, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Q Acoustics 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 Q Acoustics 3060S and KEF KC62 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.Q Acoustics 3060S and KEF KC62 have a totally different setup: the Q Acoustics 3060S features 1 x 8-inch drivers whereas the KC62 features 2 x 6.5-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
3060S has a frequency range of 35-250 Hz whereas KC62 has a frequency range of 11-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 11Hz, the KC62 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 3060S's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 Q Acoustics 3060S has a Infinite Baffle type cabinet. On the other hand the KEF KC62 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 Q Acoustics 3060S's and KEF KC62's external dimensions. Q Acoustics 3060S has external dimensions of 324.0 x 480.0 x 155.0mm (12-3/4 x 18-7/8 x 6-1/8inch) whereas KEF KC62 has external dimensions of 245.0 x 258.0 x 281.0mm (9-5/8inch x 10-1/8inch x 11-1/16inch).
KEF KC62 is 222mm narrower and 79mm shorter than Q Acoustics 3060S but it is also 126mm 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.
Near-identical footprints. KEF KC62 is 126mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Q Acoustics 3060S is 79mm 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 Q Acoustics 3060S is approximately 744.0cm2 / 115.3inch2 and base area of the KEF KC62 is approximately 725.0cm2 / 112.4inch2. The 3060S requires 3% more surface area than the KC62 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 Q Acoustics 3060S weighs 8.50kg / 18.7lbs and the KEF KC62 weighs 14.05kg / 30.9lbs. This makes the KC62 65% heavier than the 3060S.
Here is a comparison of how 3060S and KC62's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
11 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
245mm
vs
324mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
725cm2
vs
744cm2
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. KEF KC62 stands 126mm further into the room. Q Acoustics 3060S is 79mm taller.
| General |
Q Acoustics 3060S |
KEF KC62 |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
35-250 Hz |
11-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
324.0mm (12.8") |
245.0mm (9.6") |
| Width |
480.0mm (18.9") |
258.0mm (10.2") |
| Depth |
155.0mm (6.1") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
14.05kg (30.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - KEF KC62 costs roughly 5x what Q Acoustics 3060S does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | KEF KC62 goes deeper - 11Hz against 35Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KC62 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 150W RMS, about 8.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | KEF KC62 moves more air: 2 x 6.5" against 8" is 1.32x the cone area, not the 1.15x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | Q Acoustics 3060S fires front and KEF KC62 fires side. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KC62 is about 26% 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 | Q Acoustics 3060S 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 | A | Q Acoustics 3060S costs less - $299 against $1,500, about 80% less. |
A Q Acoustics 3060S B KEF KC62
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: KEF KC62 measures better, Q Acoustics 3060S costs about 80% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $299 each, two Q Acoustics 3060S cost about $598 against $1,500 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.