In this review, we will be comparing 3000 Micro R Evolution and KUBE 8b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS 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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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.SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution and KEF KUBE 8b have a totally different setup: the SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the KUBE 8b features 1 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
3000 Micro R Evolution has a frequency range of 20-230 Hz whereas KUBE 8b has a frequency range of 34-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the 3000 Micro R Evolution 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
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution's and KEF KUBE 8b's external dimensions. SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution has external dimensions of 277.8 x 301.0 x 313.0mm () 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).
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is 16.2mm shorter and 26mm less deeper than KEF KUBE 8b but it is also 5mm 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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is approximately 942.1cm2 / 146.0inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 8b is approximately 1003.4cm2 / 155.5inch2. The 3000 Micro R Evolution requires 6% less surface area than the KUBE 8b which gives it a small advantage 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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution weighs 10.23kg / 22.5lbs and the KEF KUBE 8b weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the KUBE 8b 11% heavier than the 3000 Micro R Evolution.
Here is a comparison of how 3000 Micro R Evolution and KUBE 8b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
What's in the Box of SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3000 Micro R Evolution:
- Powered subwoofer
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 6' AC power cord
- Setup/Registration Guide
- Support Info
- SVS brochure
What's in the Box of KEF KUBE 8b?
Here are the items that come with the KUBE 8b:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
9 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
277mm
vs
294mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
942cm2
vs
1003cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
999USD
|
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. KEF KUBE 8b stands 26mm further into the room. KEF KUBE 8b is 16mm taller.
| General |
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution |
KEF KUBE 8b |
| Brand |
SVS |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
20-230 Hz |
34-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
4000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
|
| 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 |
277.8mm (10.9") |
294.0mm (11.6") |
| Width |
301.0mm (11.9") |
296.0mm (11.7") |
| Depth |
313.0mm (12.3") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
10.23kg (22.5lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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 | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution moves more air: 2 x 9" against 8" is 2.53x the cone area, not the 1.59x 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. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (room correction). |
| Driver placement | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution fires side-firing and KEF KUBE 8b fires front. 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. |
| Warranty | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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 | B | KEF KUBE 8b costs less - $600 against $999, about 40% less. |
A SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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?
The usual trade-off: SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution measures better, KEF KUBE 8b costs about 40% 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 $600 each, two KEF KUBE 8b cost about $1,200 against $999 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.