In this review, we will be comparing AMBEO Sub and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Sennheiser 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub and KEF KUBE 10b 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Suband KEF KUBE 10b have a single woofer setup however the Sennheiser AMBEO Sub's woofer is 8-inch whereas the KEF KUBE 10b features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
AMBEO Sub has a frequency range of 27-80 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the KUBE 10b can go slightly deeper then the AMBEO Sub's min frequency of 27Hz.
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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. Sennheiser AMBEO Sub has external dimensions of 366.7 x 269.9 x 269.9mm () whereas KEF KUBE 10b has external dimensions of 372.0 x 356.0 x 397.0mm (14-5/8 x 14 x 15-5/8inch).
KEF KUBE 10b is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 86.1mm wider, 5.3mm taller and 127.1mm deeper than Sennheiser AMBEO Sub.
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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is approximately 728.5cm2 / 112.9inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The AMBEO Sub requires 48% less surface area than the KUBE 10b 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub weighs 8.16kg / 18lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 114% heavier than the AMBEO Sub.
Here is a comparison of how AMBEO Sub and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
366mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
728cm2
vs
1413cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
500USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
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.
KEF KUBE 10b needs about 94% more floor area. KEF KUBE 10b stands 127mm further into the room.
| General |
Sennheiser AMBEO Sub |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
Sennheiser |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
27-80 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| 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 |
366.7mm (14.4") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
269.9mm (10.6") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
269.9mm (10.6") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
8.16kg (18lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | KEF KUBE 10b goes deeper - 24Hz against 27Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 27Hz. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (350W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | KEF KUBE 10b moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is about 49% 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 | A | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub costs less - $500 against $750, about 33% less. |
A Sennheiser AMBEO Sub B KEF KUBE 10b
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 KUBE 10b measures better, Sennheiser AMBEO Sub costs about 33% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Sennheiser AMBEO Sub 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.