In this review, we will be comparing HT 1003 MKII and ProSub 1000, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from REL 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 REL HT 1003 MKII and Definitive ProSub 1000 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.REL HT 1003 MKIIand Definitive ProSub 1000 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
HT 1003 MKII has a frequency range of 24-200 Hz whereas ProSub 1000 has a frequency range of 18-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the ProSub 1000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HT 1003 MKII's min frequency of 24Hz.
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
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 REL HT 1003 MKII's and Definitive ProSub 1000's external dimensions. REL HT 1003 MKII has external dimensions of 341.3 x 365.1 x 435.0mm () whereas Definitive ProSub 1000 has external dimensions of 366.0 x 307.0 x 486.0mm (14-3/8 x 12-1/16 x 19-1/8inch).
REL HT 1003 MKII is 24.7mm shorter and 51mm less deeper than Definitive ProSub 1000 but it is also 58.1mm wider.
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 REL HT 1003 MKII is approximately 1588.2cm2 / 246.2inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 1000 is approximately 1492.0cm2 / 231.3inch2. The HT 1003 MKII requires 6% more surface area than the ProSub 1000 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 REL HT 1003 MKII weighs 15.51kg / 34.1lbs and the Definitive ProSub 1000 weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the HT 1003 MKII 10% heavier than the ProSub 1000.
Here is a comparison of how HT 1003 MKII and ProSub 1000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
341mm
vs
366mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1492cm2
vs
1588cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
649USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. Definitive ProSub 1000 stands 51mm further into the room. Definitive ProSub 1000 is 25mm taller.
| General |
REL HT 1003 MKII |
Definitive Technology ProSub 1000 |
| Brand |
REL |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
24-200 Hz |
18-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
341.3mm (13.4") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
365.1mm (14.4") |
307.0mm (12.1") |
| Depth |
435.0mm (17.1") |
486.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
15.51kg (34.1lbs) |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A sealed 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 | Definitive ProSub 1000 goes deeper - 18Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | depends | REL HT 1003 MKII is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Definitive ProSub 1000 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. |
| Price | B | Definitive ProSub 1000 costs less - $499 against $649, about 23% less. |
A REL HT 1003 MKII B Definitive ProSub 1000
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?
Definitive ProSub 1000 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, Definitive ProSub 1000 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, REL HT 1003 MKII is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.