In this review, we will be comparing WH S10E and KUBE 10b, 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-S10E 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.Wharfedale WH-S10Eand KEF KUBE 10b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
WH S10E has a frequency range of 35-120 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the KUBE 10b can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the WH S10E's min frequency of 35Hz.
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
Both Wharfedale WH-S10E and KEF KUBE 10b have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. 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-S10E's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. Wharfedale WH-S10E has external dimensions of 394.0 x 333.0 x 397.0mm (15-1/2 x 13-1/8 x 15-5/8inch) 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).
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.
Near-identical footprints.
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-S10E is approximately 1322.0cm2 / 204.9inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The WH S10E requires 6% 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 Wharfedale WH-S10E weighs 14.40kg / 31.7lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the KUBE 10b 22% heavier than the WH S10E.
Here is a comparison of how WH S10E and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
1322cm2
vs
1413cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
120 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.
Near-identical footprints.
| General |
Wharfedale WH-S10E |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
35-120 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| 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 |
372.0mm (14.6") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
333.0mm (13.1") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
397.0mm (15.6") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
14.40kg (31.7lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
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 10b goes deeper - 24Hz against 35Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KUBE 10b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 150W RMS, about 3dB 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 | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Warranty | A | Wharfedale WH-S10E 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-S10E costs less - $499 against $750, about 33% less. |
A Wharfedale WH-S10E 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?
KEF KUBE 10b is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 50% more. Wharfedale WH-S10E 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.