In this review, we will be comparing T 5x and SuperCube 4000, 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 T 5x 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.REL T 5xand DT SuperCube 4000 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
T 5x has a frequency range of 32-120 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 T 5x's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 T 5x's and DT SuperCube 4000's external dimensions. REL T 5x has external dimensions of 312.7 x 300.0 x 360.4mm () 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).
REL T 5x is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 19mm wider, 10.7mm taller and 42.4mm deeper than DT SuperCube 4000.
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 T 5x is approximately 1081.2cm2 / 167.6inch2 and base area of the DT SuperCube 4000 is approximately 893.6cm2 / 138.5inch2. The T 5x requires 21% 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 REL T 5x weighs 14.29kg / 31.4lbs and the DT SuperCube 4000 weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the T 5x 26% heavier than the SuperCube 4000.
Here is a comparison of how T 5x and SuperCube 4000's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
302mm
vs
312mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
893cm2
vs
1081cm2
|
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.
REL T 5x needs about 21% more floor area. REL T 5x stands 42mm further into the room.
| General |
REL T 5x |
Definitive Technology SuperCube 4000 |
| Brand |
REL |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
32-120 Hz |
16-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
125-watt RMS |
1200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 40-150 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.7mm (12.3") |
302.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
300.0mm (11.8") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Depth |
360.4mm (14.2") |
318.0mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
14.29kg (31.4lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Passive Radiator |
| 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 | DT SuperCube 4000 goes deeper - 16Hz against 32Hz. 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 125W RMS, about 9.8dB 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 | REL T 5x is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | DT SuperCube 4000 is about 20% 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 | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A REL T 5x 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. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, DT SuperCube 4000 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, REL T 5x 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.