In this review, we will be comparing WH D8 and KUBE 8b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wharfedale 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 Wharfedale WH-D8 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.Wharfedale WH-D8and KEF KUBE 8b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
WH D8 has a frequency range of 40-120 Hz whereas KUBE 8b has a frequency range of 34-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 34Hz, the KUBE 8b can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the WH D8's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 Wharfedale WH-D8 has a Infinite Baffle type cabinet. On the other hand the KEF KUBE 8b 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 Wharfedale WH-D8's and KEF KUBE 8b's external dimensions. Wharfedale WH-D8 has external dimensions of 328.0 x 268.0 x 322.0mm (12-15/16 x 10-9/16 x 12-11/16inch) 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).
Wharfedale WH-D8 is 28mm narrower and 17mm less deeper than KEF KUBE 8b but it is also 34mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
KEF KUBE 8b needs about 16% more floor or shelf area. KEF KUBE 8b is 17mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale WH-D8 is 34mm taller.
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 Wharfedale WH-D8 is approximately 863.0cm2 / 133.8inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 8b is approximately 1003.4cm2 / 155.5inch2. The WH D8 requires 14% 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 Wharfedale WH-D8 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the KEF KUBE 8b weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the KUBE 8b 51% heavier than the WH D8.
Here is a comparison of how WH D8 and KUBE 8b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
863cm2
vs
1003cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
34 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
294mm
vs
328mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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 8b needs about 16% more floor area. KEF KUBE 8b stands 17mm further into the room. Wharfedale WH-D8 is 34mm taller.
| General |
Wharfedale WH-D8 |
KEF KUBE 8b |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
70 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
40-120 Hz |
34-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
70-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
150-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
|
| 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 |
328.0mm (12.9") |
294.0mm (11.6") |
| Width |
268.0mm (10.6") |
296.0mm (11.7") |
| Depth |
322.0mm (12.7") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 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 8b goes deeper - 34Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KUBE 8b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 70W RMS, about 6.3dB 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 | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Warranty | A | Wharfedale WH-D8 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 | A | Wharfedale WH-D8 costs less - $449 against $600, about 25% less. |
A Wharfedale WH-D8 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?
KEF KUBE 8b is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 34% more. Wharfedale WH-D8 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra.
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.