In this review, we will be comparing SA-CS9 and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Sony 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 Sony SA-CS9 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.Sony SA-CS9and KEF KUBE 10b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
SA-CS9 has a frequency range of 28-200 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 SA-CS9's min frequency of 28Hz.
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 Sony SA-CS9 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the KEF KUBE 10b 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 Sony SA-CS9's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. Sony SA-CS9 has external dimensions of 345.0 x 295.0 x 400.0mm (11.6 x 13.6 x 15.7 inch) 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).
Sony SA-CS9 is 61mm narrower and 27mm shorter than KEF KUBE 10b but it is also 3mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony SA-CS9 and KEF KUBE 10b in scale.
Comparison image of Sony SA-CS9 and KEF KUBE 10b Size and External Dimensions
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 Sony SA-CS9 is approximately 1180.0cm2 / 182.9inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The SA-CS9 requires 17% 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 Sony SA-CS9 weighs 11.50kg / 25.3lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 52% heavier than the SA-CS9.
Here is a comparison of how SA-CS9 and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Sony SA-CS9?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SA-CS9:
- Sony SA-CS9 10-inch 115W Subwoofer
- 6.5-feet Phono Cord
- 4 x Foot Pads
- Grille
- Limited 90-Day Manufacturer Warranty
What's in the Box of KEF KUBE 10b?
Here are the items that come with the KUBE 10b:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
345mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1180cm2
vs
1413cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
248USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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 20% more floor area. KEF KUBE 10b is 27mm taller.
| General |
Sony SA-CS9 |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
Sony |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
115 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
115-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
foamed-mica cellular reinforced |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
345.0mm (13.6") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
295.0mm (11.6") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
400.0mm (15.7") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
11.50kg (25.3lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed 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 | KEF KUBE 10b goes deeper - 24Hz against 28Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 28Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KUBE 10b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 115W RMS, about 4.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Sony SA-CS9 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; KEF KUBE 10b is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. 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 | Sony SA-CS9 is about 23% 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 | Sony SA-CS9 costs less - $248 against $750, about 67% less. |
A Sony SA-CS9 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, Sony SA-CS9 costs about 67% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Sony SA-CS9 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KUBE 10b is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $248 each, two Sony SA-CS9 cost about $496 against $750 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.